Indian Idol 12 has been hitting the headlines ever since Amit Kumar appeared on Kishore Kumar special episode as a guest. After the episode aired, Amit Kumar said that he was asked to praise the contestants of the show. Later, Indian Idol 1 winner Abhijeet Sawant said in an interview about how the makers focus more on the contestants’ tragic stories than their talent. Now, Sonu Nigam, who has judged reality shows such as Indian Idol and Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, said that the sob stories are a marketing strategy, and that he feels they are working.
While speaking to ETimes, Sonu Nigam said that if the sob stories weren’t working on reality shows, they wouldn’t feature so often. However, he also defended that it doesn’t take away from the fact that the contestants are really talented. “If they weren’t working (sob stories), it would not be happening so often on reality shows. In the deepest corner of my heart, I feel sob stories are working. It is a marketing thing, and people are not fools. Their hearts are in the right place. I also feel that the contestants in reality shows are extremely talented. They are ‘dhurandhars’,” said Sonu Nigam.
He further added that the definition of entertainment differs from person to person, and that what one finds interesting, another may find boring. “Recently, I was watching a Korean film and I connected with it because it reminded me of my struggles, but it could be boring for someone else. Who am I to comment on the music reality shows? They are doing well, getting good viewership and the singers are phenomenal,” he said.
Meanwhile, Abhijeet Sawant also agreed that the contestants are super-talented. While reacting to Amit Kumar’s criticism, Abhijeet told ETimes that the contestants are doing a great job, but it would be unfair to compare a beginner to a legendary singer. “They have just started their careers. It is unfair to make such comments and ridicule them,” he said. ALSO READ: Indian Idol 12: Sonu Nigam Requests All To Respect Amit Kumar's 'Dignified Silence' Over The Matter; 'Controversy Ko Khatam Kar Dena Chahiye Ab'
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