Singer Neha Kakkar is thrilled to return to "Indian Idol", this time as a judge instead of a contestant.
"I'm thrilled and excited to be associated with the one of the best platforms on television in India for singing talent. My singing career began with me being a contestant on this show and now I'm going to judge it," Neha said in a statement to IANS.
"Life has truly come full circle. I instantly took the offer to judge 'Indian Idol' because I know the journey from being judged to judging on the same stage is going to be a memorable experience for me."
Recalling the time when she competed on the show in 2006, she said: "I still remember the excitement on being shortlisted and selected in Top 10. I will give full credit to the 'Indian Idol' platform for grooming me as a singer and shaping my career."
Though she didn't win the competition, she made a name for herself in Bollywood. Neha is best known for hit tracks like "Sunny sunny", "Manali trance" and "Aao raja".
Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani will join her on the judging panel of "Indian Idol" that will soon premiere on Sony Entertainment Television.
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"I can't wait to be on the judges' seat of 'Indian Idol 10'. I have been a part of many reality shows including 'Indian Idol' junior and I have to say that 'Indian Idol' is a class apart from the other music shows on Indian television," he said.
Composer Anu Malik is excited to make a comeback on the show as a judge.
"I have been associated with the show since its inception and have got a chance to see some unique singing talent across the nation. Every experience has been an everlasting one.
"This time, we return with a bang and 'Khabar Phaila Do', we are back with the best singing talent hunt of India. I urge every aspiring singer to come for the auditions."
Auditions will begin from May 1 in Jaipur and then move on to cities like Lucknow, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Dehradun, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Delhi and Mumbai.
--IANS
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