Sony Entertainment Television on Wednesday announced another music-based contest that will have 14 finalists vying to be singing sensations.
"Fame Gurukul" will be a reality show that will tell the story of 14 singers fighting for two top slots in a music academy called Gurukul.
The winners would get a Rs.10 million deal with Sony and a recording contract with a leading music company, the channel said at the programme's launch here.
The show is being termed as grander than Sony's "Indian Idol" series that saw winner Abhijit Sawant bag a similar Rs.10 million contract with the channel and the chance to cut an album.
"Fame Gurukul" is fashioned on Spanish reality show "Operacion Triunfo".
Sony executive vice-president and business head Tarun Katial said the programme will offer viewers entertaining musical performances and true talent spiced with gripping drama and high emotions.
While lyricist Javed Akhtar, singer KK (Krishna Kumar) and musician Shankar Mahadevan are on the jury, singer Ila Arun will be the "strict" headmistress of the music academy.
"Like 'Indian Idol', 'Fame Gurukul' will roll out in phases - introducing the concept and the show, driving participation via auditions, an on-air premiere and the countdown to (choosing) the final two (Fame Jodi)," Katial said.
{{/usCountry}}"Like 'Indian Idol', 'Fame Gurukul' will roll out in phases - introducing the concept and the show, driving participation via auditions, an on-air premiere and the countdown to (choosing) the final two (Fame Jodi)," Katial said.
{{/usCountry}}The auditions begin with Kolkata May 6 at Science City, moving on to Delhi, Indore and Mumbai.
The jury will select 16 aspirants but only 14 will be enrolled into the "Fame Gurukul".
"Indian audiences have taken reality television very positively and 'Indian Idol' is a good example. The viewers will decide which 14 hopefuls will take the coveted places in the Gurukul, which is a fabulous mansion-cum-dance/recording studio in Mumbai," Katial said.
"We can really find good talent through 'Fame Gurukul'," said lyricist Javed Akhtar at the launch.
According to Ila Arun, "We will take only those who are good singers as well as combine a drive to showcase something new and have the ability to work hard."
"They should not only have a classical base with knowledge of the ragas but also able to present themselves in popular (singing)."