Shalmali: There's much to be grateful for since reality television has come up

The first leg of the auditions of of musical reality show 'Indian Idol Junior' kickstarted in Kolkata on Monday. CT spoke to the judges Vishal Dadlani, Shalmali Kholgade and Salim Merchant.Do you miss having a platform like Indian Idol Junior while growing up?Vishal: I don't believe that music is restricted to platforms. I mean, it's wonderful that kids today have such a platform, but I don't believe that it's all you need to make it big. I think Dave Grohl, the vocalist and songwriter of the band Foo Fighters, put it beautifully when he said that kids making music is not about standing in line for hours and going onto a stage to perform. It's about getting together with your friends in some garage and making music and improving and becoming musicians.READ: Asha Negi to co-host Indian Idol Junior with HussainShalmali: I think it's a great platform for those who do not have access to the big cities or big platforms. I think there's much to be grateful for since reality television has come up, although I do not believe that it is the only way to make it big.Salim: I don't think it's a necessity as such, but it's a great platform for singers to show their talent. And we're not pressuring anybody at gun point. If they want to compete and show their talent they're most welcome to!Do you think the participants under go performance pressure?Shalmali: Everyone goes through performance pressure -including me and other big names in the indus try. I think a little bit of nervous ene rgy is conducive for the performance.Salim: No, I don't think so. The kids now are so smart! I don't think there's any sort of pressure for kids to perform. They want to do it. Even if you don't want them to, they will still do it.You have seen many young achievers let success get the better of them. How are you training the young kids to handle the fame?Salim: I think that happens the world over and it's part of the game. I believe that change is the only constant. And it mostly depends on the way one has been brought up, their parents and what their life cycle as a child has been. It's good luck to those who think they've got it, but I feel that music is like an ocean where you have to drown yourself to learn.Have the Kolkata kids lived up to your expectations till now?Shalmali: It's been a very enriching experience and it has been better than expected. In fact, it has sur passed all my expectations. I hope it's going to get even better.Do you think people are taking real ity shows more seriously now?Shalmali: I think it was always something people looked up to and took back from because of the whole fame aspect associated with it, which is both good and bad. Then there's another dimension to the musical aspect of it and how you handle the fame. There are many plus and minus points to fame (laughs).Are you three collaborating on any new musical venture?Vishal: Salim and I have been collaborating for years and Shalmali of course sings for the both of us. So inevitably it'll happen one day! Shalmali: We've just begun spending time together because of our tour with Indian Idol. But, I hope we will be doing something together and it will be a privilege to work with both Salim and Vishal. I mean, that would be like some chumma from life! (laughs). But honestly , what's great is that they are both very big names and I look up to them and they are also good friends, so working with them is an honour.Indian Idol Junior auditions in Kolkata started off with a phenomenal response. Shalmali Kholgade, a first-time judge on this show, was all smiles as she posed for the shutterbugs. The other judges, Vishal Dadlani and Salim Merchant, on the other hand, summed up their expectations from the city when they said, “Kolkata has always given us some of the best contestants, and this time too we are not disappointed.“ Two contestants, Arno Sarkar (12) and Ananya (14), who have been chosen for the next round, also performed at the press conference.For latest TV updates follow TOI Entertain on Twitter >>> @TOIEntertainFor the latest in TV news, like TOI Entertaiment on Facebook >>> TOIEntertainSet reminders for your favourite TV ShowsWatch: Karishma and Upen to star in Nach Baliye - TOI