The first promo of Indian Idol Junior's upcoming season has just gone on air and it looks like one half of it is missing - it features only Vishal Dadlani while his music partner Shekhar Ravjiani has curiously gone missing from it. Interestingly, the composer duo has always judged music reality shows together and Shekhar's disappearance has set tongues wagging.
Shekhar says he was not approached for the show. "I don't know the reason; speak to the channel," he retorts. Vishal, on the other hand, suggests it was "a call that Shekhar and the channel made." When we asked him if Shekhar deliberately opted out of the show, he says, "The channel spoke to me and I spoke to Shekhar, he told me to go ahead and I went and did it (all by myself). It's a commercial engagement at the end of the day."
The channel spokesperson confirms that Shekhar is not a part of Indian Idol Junior this time, while stating that the reason was "not known to us right now." Another source from the channel informed us that the show's format has been changed this season and there will only be two judges.
Gaurav Seth, the channel's marketing head, has a completely different version to offer. He says, "We have just released the first promo, so wait and watch. The first one only features Vishal and we are yet to announce the other two judges."
Vishal-Shekhar have, so far, judged five shows, including Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007, Jo Jeeta Wohi Super Star in 2008, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa with Sajid-Wajid, Amul Star Voice of India Mummy Ke Superstars and Indian Idol Junior 2013.
