DesiDabba - Boss, Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jaye

Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2007 Challenge (reviewed by Priyanka on DesiDabba) is an interesting exercise in differentiation.

In particular, Sony Entertainment’s Indian Idol torments it – it’s a proven, global format, it’s flashier and it has a very strong brand. So the challenge for SRGMP really starts with beating Idol. And you can see their very visible strategy in action in every episode.

SRGMP’s differentiation seems to revolve around core Indian sensibilities. Where Indian Idol focuses on presentation, SRGMP constantly tries to put the focus on music. It also counters Indian Idol’s jazzier format with a distinctly Indian structure – four gharanas competing with each other. And there’s more: trumpets, conch shells, a shower of flower petals, some very colorful sets. It certainly gives the show a distinct look that allows it to stand apart from Indian Idol. There are several things I enjoyed in the few episodes I’ve seen so far.

First, Bappi Lahiri cracks me up constantly. And in a good way. I was never a huge fan of his voice but I loved the fact that he challenged the legacy of Kishore in no uncertain terms by singing his own tunes. And he did it while weighed down by a ton of jewelry. Look closely and you can see his legacy in present day Bluffmaster-fashions and the self-propelled singing career of Himesh Reshammiya.

Second, there are some nice roller coaster rides to be had between the mentors of each gharana and the judges. The mentors (Ismail Darbar , Himesh Reshammiya, Bappi Lahiri and Vishal-Shekhar ) come across as poor people managers – often railing on their contestants and creating an aura of gloom over the very talent they groom.

And then Asha Bhonsle takes over as a judge – and she keeps it real. She gently dispenses advice to the contestants that is usually accompanied by a brilliant technical breakdown of the song. And that puts the show back on an even keel. Sometimes she forgets that she’s talking to a bunch of greenhorns. At one point she delivers a nugget to a hopeful “Andar se dance karo” she tells her. Well, Ashaji that’s easy for someone like you to say – but it’s still great advice.

Third, the host Aditya Narayan is all round likeable and hugely personable. I kind of enjoy the way he gels and makes his hair stand up – making his bobbing head look really big and his hands incredibly small. In fact, I think I shall call him “Head” with much fondness.

Now, will this spectacle work? Initial viewings suggest it still might not connect with audiences – especially younger ones – the way Indian Idol might. But the immediacy of reality TV dictates that anything can happen and verdicts must be withheld till the very end.