by Subhash K Jha

The big one for Sony Entertainment in 2006 is Fear Factor. Says Tarun, "It's the world's biggest reality thrill game-show... has been running in several countries for over ten years. We've already shot thirteen episodes on different themes in Malaysia with different tv stars and film actors. We go on air early next year. This is a genre that has never been done before on Indian television."

Fear Factor would be Indian television's first international production, with India, Malaysia and Indonesia collaborating over the endeavour.

In the meanwhile Tarun stoutly defends the melodrama and tears on Indian Idol 2.

"The tears aren't orchestrated. They're genuine. Being an Indian Idol means so much more to the participants than it did earlier. The first time around the contestants didn't realize what being an Abhijeet Sawant meant. Now just being in the Top 10 is bliss. Hence the desperation and tears. You can't force tears on reality TV."