MUMBAI: After the success of Hero Honda Sa Re Ga Ma Pa's World Series in Dubai, the team is back in Mumbai again with yet another series called the Popular Choice.
The shooting for this series wound up on Wednesday in Film City. They had last shot in Mumbai in September 2003 before the Dubai series got off.
The episodes of the popular series will be on air from 14 May with the finals to be shown on 13 August which will be an Independence Day special episode. The series will showcase the talents of 12 specially invited contestants, who have participated in the show in the last two years.
The list of judges for the final round, a two episode event, is a long one with many special invitees from the world of music. It will start with a classical note by Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan accompanied by the 12 participants. The judge's panel include maestros like Anu Malik, Ismail Darbar, Uttam Singh, and music director duos Jatin-Lalit and Nikhal- Vinay.
Speaking to Indian television, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa creative director Gajendra Singh gave his views on the show. "This is a special show because the contestants of this show are those who have already participated in our show in the last two years and are selected and invited to participate again in this series as we think that they have potential to make it big in the world of music. The judges of this series are also special because they are the viewer's choice", said Singh.
Prior to the show, the participants have been trained in a month-long workshop under some of the most revered music directors, singers and lyricists of the Indian music industry like Ustad Gulam Mustafa Khan, Nida Fazli, Anand ji of Kalyanji-Anandji and Pt. Askaran Sharma, who will also grace the finals with their presence.
Anchored by Shaan, Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, has, over the years, identified and nurtured many a talent in the music industry and has provided a platform to the budding singers. Amongst others, some of the talents who have already achieved success through this platform are Sanjivni Bhelande of Nikamma , Mohd. Salamat who gave his voice in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Shreya Ghosal who tasted success with Devdas and Jism and Sweta Pandit who has sung in Mohabbatein.
The show which has completed more than 100 episodes has been popular in India and abroad. Zee is also coming up with a contest for its viewers who can win prizes by guessing correctly the series' winner.
The two winners, one male and one female, of this series will get an opportunity to release their music album under the Saregama Music banner and also get a chance to work and prove themselves with the renowned Indian musicians.
