/> Television channels are going star-shopping for their multi-crore talent-hunt shows in a big way. The latest and most glamorous acquisition is Urmila Matondkar who's going to serve as the traffic-stopping judge on Sahara's swanky new talent show Superstars.

The show to be produced by the company Endemol (which has done Fear Factor and is soon to do Big Brother on Sony) will go on air in September.

"Superstars too is based on a foreign show," says Urmila. "When Sahara showed me the original I was bowled over. It looked really tempting and exciting. Very honestly I've been offered several shows on tv to judge. But none seemed inviting enough.

Superstars was very tempting, and I fell for it. Firstly because I love to be part of any medium that encourages new talent. I recently went on Sony's Boogie Woogie and had myself a blast.

What I like about Superstars is that eager youngsters get a chance not just to dance and reveal any one facet of their talent. They get to prove themselves in every department so that by the end of the season we've discovered one complete potential superstar."

The show will have two permanent judges Urmila and Shiamak Davar, and one variable judge each week. "So basically it would be me and Shiamak and a new judge every week. I'm looking forward to working with Shiamak. Of course I know him socially. But this would be an occasion to work together. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun."

Initially the channel planned to bring on two actresses. Later they changed the profile to include a choreographer.

While Urmila prepares for Superstars she's also gung-ho about her forthcoming release Bas Ek pal. "It's looking very 'today'. Very contemporary.

Onir is a very sensitive and mature director. No character is all right or all wrong. Onir dwells in ambiguities. I'd say the screenplay is very French. Everyone comes across as very real."

Urmila has come away with many minty memories. "Bas Ek Pal

has been a wonderful experience. I had seen My Brother Nikhil. And it was very exciting to work with someone who had made such a beautiful and sensitive movie.

When I met Onir he told me this sensitive story about five character played by me, Sanjay Suri, Juhi Chawla, Rehan Engineer and Jimmy Shergil. I liked all the characters instantly. I like Onir's take on life.

I can't think of any Hindi film that's styled and narrated like Bas Ek Pal. So I guess my thirst for the first remains unquenched."