Bappi Lahiri to host reality show

This is a trend that has taken the television industry by storm. After Sony's Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul, Zee's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge, this show, to be launched in September, will be another music based show anchored by Bappi Lahiri of Disco Dancer fame! Baapi will be only the second singer after Shaan who will host a reality show based on music. "This is a show that has nothing to do with the guru chela concept and will give the winner an opportunity to record an album after days of his victory," says a visibly excited Bappi, who has been in this industry for more than three decades. Tightlipped about the name of the show and the channel on which it will be aired, Bappi only lets out that it will be launched next month with press conferences in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Dubai. Unlike Indian Idol and Fame Gurukul, this show will be based on an original concept. Talking about the other reality shows that are such a rage in the country today, Bappi laughs off the concept of viewers deciding the fate of contestants and says that the decision should be left to experts, although, conceding the fact that viewers should perhaps have a 50% say, keeping their involvement in mind. "I don't understand this system of sms'ing. Judging should be left to the experts," says Bappi. Interestingly, a reality show launched in September will be competition to Indian Idol II which will be launched after the Fame jodi gets selected. So, it is almost for sure that this reality show will not air on Sony, and that leaves Zee and Star in the race. Zee's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, is just warming up and SaharaOne is all set to launch a slew of new shows, so that leaves Star as the only possible channel that could now experiment with a reality show. Which Star channel is gearing up to be the next to climb on to the reality bandwagon? Stay clued to this space for more.