Indian Idol – the reality show that paved the way for all the other shows we see on television today – is back with its fourth season starting this Friday. Apart from a new set of contestants, the popular reality show will also have two new judges this time – Kailash Kher and Sonali Bendre, along with the old timers Javed Akhtar and Anu Malik.

Telly Chakkar spoke to first-time judge Kailash Kher on judging a reality show, why its winners are fading in thin air and more.

What made you agree to judge a reality show?

I feel our country is a big storehouse of talent. There is so much of talent available in the country, just waiting to be tapped. I wanted to see and experience this talent and felt being part of a reality show would be the best way to do it.

If you ask me, why I choose Indian Idol, there are a number of reasons. First of all, I feel Indian Idol is a very dignified show and also the first one to have started this voting system. Not only is this show a big crowd puller, all the three idols have made an impact in the industry.

What is your definition of an Indian Idol?

My first criteria would be the ability to sing. Not just in terms film songs, but the entire gamut of good songs. My Indian Idol will also be able to relate with the audience well and interject life in an otherwise mundane song. To me, style and the much talked-about X-factor are added flavours not must-haves.

Indian Idol has seen both lenient and rigid judges. What would you like to be?

I feel I will be a mix of both. Depending on the situation I will be strict or lenient. For example, during the initial audition round there are a number of cases where people just come to see themselves in front of the camera. In such cases, you have to be strict. But in situations where a contestant makes a mistake and I feel with some guidance he/she will be able to improve, I will mentor them.

Unfortunately, most of the winners of these reality shows have vanished in thin air after their share of fame. What is your opinion on this? Why do you think this happens?

Let me narrate an incident. The other day I was watching a news item which spoke about a wrestler from Bhopal who won two state-level championships becoming a chain-snatcher now. This news item impacted me a lot. Why did he change his profession? Why did he get down to such a level? I feel that is because there was a lack of commitment in that person. He wanted easy money and didn't want to struggle for it.

I feel the situation is similar in most of the reality shows. A reality show is like a swimming pool where you are swimming in a small, known territory. But someday or the other you have to come out of it in the big, bad world of seas. You have to fight for survival. How many people are able to do that? That is exactly what is happening in these shows. Winners, after coming out of these shows are smelling easy money in stage shows and go after them. Then the instant fame they get also gets into their heads. This changes their focus and singing becomes secondary. Thus, while they made a very good start with the reality shows, they are not able to carry on the good work with the commitment which is required.

So what is the remedy?

I feel serious psychoanalyst help is needed in such cases.

What else is happening on the career front of Kailash Kher?

Quite a few things are happening on my career front. For Nikhil Advani's Chandni Chowk to China, our band Kailasa has scored the music. This is the first time we are scoring the music for a Bollywood venture. I have sung two numbers in this film as well. Apart from this, we have also done the score for Vinay Pathak's Dasvidaniya.

On the personal front, I have sung songs for 1920, Rang Rasiyan, Delhi 6 (with A R Rahman), Kaminey (A Vishal Bharadwaj film). In 1920 I am also seen in a music video.

I think whatever I have achieved is through pure dedication and honesty. The kind of love I have got from people and colleagues is mindblowing. You will be happy to know that we are opening our new studio next month. Named Studio Kailasa, this is where we will launch our next album from.