Like its earlier version “Voice India”, the upcoming reality show “The Voice India Kids” scheduled to be aired this week has created a buzz among the budding talent. The show will see Neeti Mohan, Bollywood’s latest singing sensation, Shaan, the popular Indian playback singer and composer-singer Shekhar Ravjiani of the duo Vishal-Shekhar in the jury panel for judging the winner among the competitors.
Ravjiani, who started music as a hobby learned piano from Xavier Fernandes, singing Indian classical from Ustad Niaz Ahmed Khan and Jagjit Singh. In an interaction he talks about “Sultan”, on music being an integral part of his life and the television show.
Excerpts:
Tell me about your latest song “The rise of sultan” in “Sultan”.
We always wanted to make a slow version of the “Sultan” title track sung by Sukhwinder Singh. So, I just went to the studio and put down my voice on the title track and Ali (Abbas Zafar), the director of the movie heard it and said, ‘keep it as it is’. This is played throughout the background of the movie.
The song is organic and very cinematic and suddenly has the rush with the orchestra, drums, violins and guitars playing in the background. The song came out so well that it became an important part of the movie.
Considering that television is flooded with singing reality shows for the young, how will “The Voice India Kids” stand out?
The format of the show is a unique concept and hugely popular around the world. It is something new and exciting to see the chairs turn around on the buzzer being pressed and the judges actually selling themselves to contestants to join their team, is interesting.
What adds to it are the kids who are unbelievable. The singing talent from the age group six to 14 is outstanding. Also the show is happening for the very first time in the country. So, that is something unique about the show.
How difficult is to judge a kids’ reality show as compared to other shows?
Actually more than judging it's about mentoring. So you are teaching and coaching them. It is not difficult because you are asking them to enjoy their life, to enjoy every process, journey with a smile on the face.
My advice to all the kids coming for the show is to have a smile on their face, laugh, sing effortlessly and not to be stressed about anything.
Tell us about the journey of the Vishal-Shekhar.
The journey has been fantastic and exciting. It's been 17 years for us and I think after “Sultan” we have finished close to about 65 films. We have done some great music together. Now we have amazing soundtracks for “Akira”, “Banjo” and “Befikre” coming out. It is great fun working with Vishal Dadlani.
Tell us about your acting debut in “Neerja” and your experience of working with Sonam Kapoor.
The experience was excellent. I had been offered many films before Neerja. When Atul Kasbekar the film’s producer told me that Ram Madhvani was directing the film I knew he will make something fantastic. I was blown away by the script and had tears in my eyes after reading it. I thought to be a part of the film will be a great honour. I received a lot of compliments from Hrithik Roshan, Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar and many others.
Sonam is an amazing human being, great co-actor and a very dear friend. We shot for seven to eight days but we connected fantastically.
