R eality shows on music were a staple on Malayalam channels. But when they reached a saturation point, channels switched over to new formats and terrains. However, Amrita TV is travelling the route again. It is back with its signature music reality show for kids, ‘Super Star Junior’. It is the fifth season of the show and helming the programme is Anuroop M. T. He has produced shows for the channel such as ‘Super Star Ultimate’, the second season of ‘Samagam’, ‘Kasavuthattam’, the fourth season of ‘Super Star Junior’ and ‘Duet’, among others. He talks to Friday Review about the show and what to expect. Excerpts:
Testing the waters again
It is true that reality shows have reached a saturation point. However, Amrita TV is on a reinventing mode. Instead of introducing new programmes, we wanted to connect with the audience with those programmes that were our popular shows. After that we are planning to launch many novel programmes. That’s why we are airing new seasons of ‘Super Star Junior’ and later ‘Vanita Ratnam’.
‘Super Star Junior’ won’t drag on for months. We will be winding it by Onam.
Trends keep changing in the television industry. Serials gave way to reality shows, which, after a point were substituted by comedy shows. Then serials came back into vogue again. Now comedy shows and serials have lost their steam and reality shows might return. It is a continuous cycle…
Highlights of ‘Super Star Junior’
The USP of the show is its eminent panel of judges, comprising singers Sujatha and Vijay Yesudas and musician Stephen Devassy. Sujatha is judging a show on the channel for the first time. Vijay was part of the second season of the show. Stephen is a permanent judge on a reality show for the first time. The best part is that Stephen will be playing the keyboard as well when he judges the participants.
The trio brings experience, energy, fun and lot of joy to the sets. Actress Shalin Zoya is the anchor.
Participants
We have 18 contestants, in the age group of eight to 14, who were selected after auditions held in four places. Girls form a majority of the contestants; there are 11 of them. Contestants from outside Kerala and West Asia turned up in droves for the auditions.
Sujatha and singer Krishnachandran, who is also the executive producer of the channel, were present at the auditions. We also had singers Anwar Sadath, Sayanora and Vidhu Prathap joining them in the panel at different locations. We are proud that all the children are fine singers.
On the format
It’s all new. There are 20 rounds. The participants are informed in advance about these rounds.
They can opt for a round from this list, including the one for the elimination stage. So, each time a contestant reaches the elimination round, the number of rounds in his or her kitty will come down. The brighter side is that there will be variety in songs presentation in each episode unlike the usual format where the same round is given to all contestants. Krishnachandran and Rajesh Harindran help the participants out in song selection and grooming. Director Shyamaprasad, our chief executive producer, has been instrumental in giving a new approach and support to the show.
Expectations
We are having a ball on the sets while shooting each episode and hope that the audience too will have fun. What makes us really happy is that there has been overwhelming response for the episodes that showed the audition rounds. The main contest will go on air on March 25.
Also, the camaraderie between the children and judges is just amazing. The contestants and their parents are not overtly worried about the results and are taking the whole show as a jolly good ride.
(‘Super Star Junior’ airs on Amrita TV on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m.)
