Attempts are being made to get him on board

Frantic efforts are on to have Simon Cowell as one of the judges in the Indian version of The X Factor.

Sony, who will air the music-based reality show in the coming months, is keen to have the internationally known name on board if not throughout the show, at least as a celebrity judge for the finale episodes.

The channel has already acquired the rights for the desi version of the singing contest from Simon, whose production company owns the format. They now want him to be part of the programme as well.

Famous for being outright blunt, Simon's controversial criticisms, insults and wisecracks about participants and their abilities (or rather disabilities) are equally well-known.

Simon has judged television shows such as Pop Idol, Britian's Got Talent, American Idol besides The X Factor. As they are beamed all over the globe, it has made him a known name worldwide.

Several judges in reality shows have aped his style over the years.

Says a source close to the channel, "There are three judges in The X Factor. Sony is keenly interested in having him in the show and not only as the producer of the original format. Plans are on to launch it in a lavish way with big names on board. Internationally it can't get any bigger than having Simon on board."

Adds the source, "A team from Sony has already left for the UK to convince him to feature in the Indian version at least in helping the jury to make the top 20 or top 12 contestants. It is their way to attract eyeballs and garner viewership."

The channel is at the moment extremely guarded and does not want to make any annoucement till things are in place.

Recently there has been buzz that Rishi Kapoor had been approached to be one of the judges of The X Factor.

The Bollywood star had always stayed away from the small screen all these years. But the source maintains, "He has been approached but things have not yet been finalised."

The jury members not only judge the finalists of The X Factor but also mentor the contestants on song selection and styling.

What is The X Factor?

It is a television talent show franchise originating in the United Kingdom where it was devised as a replacement for Pop Idol in 2004. It is a singing competition with contestants selected through auditions. The X Factor refers to the undefinable something that makes for star quality.

The UK version is responsible for the launch of the internationally successful singer Leona Lewis. Its American version is slated to go on air later this year. Simon Cowell has already declared that he will not be part of the next season's UK version as he will help initiate it on American TV.

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