Roller-coaster of reality

Out there on the artistes' horizon, scores of aspiring singers lie in wait, dreaming that they be discovered some day and be given a chance to showcase their talent.

Dreamers there are many in that dreamland called Bollywood, but few dreams find fruition.

Rile them, vilify them, run them down, reality shows have given that dream-platform to many aspirants to make their dulcet renditions heard to discerning ears and scores of young talents have carved their niche in playback singing and as stage performers.

Remember the time, when television musical shows like Meri Awaaz Suno, Sa Re Ga Ma and Aao Jhumen Gayen led people to realise the wealth of talented singers, the country shelters and who need to be drawn out from the womb of the unknown.

Gradually, the audience demanded to be part of the show where they could select the voices they wanted to hear. In 2003, the show Indian Idol pencilled in audience participation by getting people to vote through short text messages for their favourite singers. Reality shows had arrived on the Indian television circuit.

In the years gone by, barbs have flown thick and fast against reality shows. Aren't such shows stage-managed by TV channels to raise TRPs? Haven't they compromised musical talent as most votes are based on caste, region and sometimes, sympathy? Shouldn’t the decision be left to experts? 

As detractors singe, defensive comforters apply the salve. Young playback singer Akriti Kakkar, who has hosted Voice of India - Mummy ki Superstar said, “Some drawbacks and disappointments aside, don't forget reality shows offer a platform to talented singers from the country’s interiors, who otherwise could never have come on stage. And eventually, it's the people, singers have to please.”

‘Talent is the key'

Himani Kapoor’s first assignment was for the sensational Sushmita Sen in Kalpana Lajmi's Chingari in 2006. From then on, strings of hits followed.

The 22-year-old girl from Faridabad, who was spotted as a finalist in Sa Re Ga Ma 2005, believes that post the show, producers understood that if they had a script which made participants laugh, cry and sometimes, squabble, the TRPs would spiral. “Yes, SMSes can take a not-so-good singer far enough, but I would say it also offers fame and recognition to both the participants and the channel,” she said.

“I guess the format of reality shows should be akin to Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, where 50% of the votes are decided through SMSes and the other half is decided by the judges,” she opined.

‘Time's changed, so has singing'

Shiba Akhtar, the talent connoisseur, has been involved with headhunting for all major reality shows on television for over 10 years. Her talent management company, Two Tulips Entertainment, searches, grooms and serves up the best of talents from across the country in order to give them a platform. Shiba has seen the changing face of reality shows.

“Everything changes with time. So have reality shows. Mentors have now replaced judges or gurus. Earlier contestants’ looks, styling and grooming didn’t matter. All that was required was talent. Today, contestants who were highly-trained vocalists have taken a backseat and the new-generation pop act has emerged with time. Their talent is not limited to singing alone, but they can do everything to push up the TRPs,” Shiba said.

“The best part is participants are smarter, ambitious and know exactly what they want and are doggedly focused on their goal. Most of them are practical and that holds them in good stead,” is what she feels.

‘Exposure helps get recognition'

Raja Mushtaq's journey from New Delhi to Amsterdam and then to Bollywood
 was rewarded first with his single Bhangra Knights Vs Husan being slotted as number seven on UK Top Charts and recently with his song for the Salman Khan-starrer Wanted becoming a raging hit. His stopover at reality shows was brief but rewarding. He was spotted by composer duo Sajid-Wajid on Bollywood Club in 2008. Wanted happened a year later.

Awaiting Main Aur Mrs Khanna, Raja thinks lucks plays a pivotal part in reality shows. “Votes are a matter of luck. Yes, if you are thrown out by lack of SMSes, you feel sad. However, if judges reject you, you can reconcile with the fact that you didn’t sing well and you have been evicted by experts,” he said. For reality shows, performance is imperative. “Confidence on the stage is as much required as singing ability. That's reality shows. Of course, singing takes precedence as you are primarily training yourself as a playback singer,” Raja said.

‘Promises aplenty, work none'

Eric Rolstan’s is a tale of grit in the face of constant dejection. A simple guy from Kanpur who walked into Mumbai 10 years ago with the dream of becoming a playback artiste in films, knew he was up against odds in the megapolis. All he had was a dream and he was ready to slog to realise it.

He took up the job of a receptionist with GCC Club, a bar at Mira Road and while that ensured he didn't tether on the brink of poverty, he created space to appear in various reality shows.

“From Siddhart Raj Anand, Anees Bazmi, Abhishek Kapoor, Jatin-Lalit to Sajid-Wajid, scores of people promised to give me work, but in vain. I know I have the talent or else people wouldn't have singled me out for promises. But they have all reneged on their word,” Eric rued. “Talent, I guess, is not all to make it to Bollywood,” he said.

Not one to give up, Eric still clings on to hope. “Give me jingles, stage shows,
whatever. But please recognise my talent," he trailed off.