~'\\~Juhi Hussain Friendship world ~\\~ - Page 2

Exit glamour. Enter voice. Indian Idol is now only about singing. The popular talent show on Sony Entertainment Television ? which enters its fifth year ? will now only lay more emphasis on a contestant's ability to strike the right notes and less on their glam quotient.

"In the past, there have been mediocre singers who have made it to the final stages on the strength of their looks and stage presence. This year, voice and only voice will be supreme," said Bollywood music man and Idol judge Anu Malik, in town last Thursday for the show's Calcutta auditions. "We always start our auditions with Calcutta because we invariably manage to get the best talent from here. Even today, we had close to 6,000 aspirants breaking down the doors," added Malik, an Idol veteran for four seasons.

Season four champ Sourabhee Debbarma and Indian Idol 3 winner Prashant Tamang were both selected from the Calcutta auditions.

The emphasis on voice alone is not the only thing that is different about season five. Joining Malik in the quest for a singing talent will be first-time judges Sunidhi Chauhan (who failed to make it to the press conference, but was present at the auditions) and Salim Merchant (one half of the musical Salim-Sulaiman duo).

"Indian Idol has an identity of its own. Over the last five years, it has evolved into a brand. It is known as a reality show that looks for true singing talent," said Salim. "I am looking for that Indian Idol who will be the next voice of Bollywood. The key thing, apart from being a fantastic voice, is versatility. My Indian Idol should be able to sing Sufi, folk, western, Bollywood, classical ? a complete package," added the man behind the music of films like Chak De! India and Kurbaan.

Anu Malik is gung-ho about finding the "ultimate singing talent" this year too. "I am confident that the judges panel of Salim, Sunidhi and myself will select the best talent. Our combination is a lot like having Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya (Rai Bachchan) judging an acting contest!" declared the Chhamma chhamma hitmaker.

After TV actor Hussain and former contestant Meiyang Chang last year, Idol season five will also have a new set of hosts. Season one winner Abhijeet Sawant and season one finalist Prajakta Shukre will do the anchoring honours. "Aaj yaad aati hai kaise hum paanch-chhey ghante dhoop mein khade rehte thhey auditions ke liye. Life has come full circle for me," said Abhijeet, Indian Idol's most famous product. "Being past contestants, we can relate better to a contestant's fears and nerve pangs," added Mumbai girl Prajakta.

Indian Idol 5 will go on air in April.