About Show

Now Rock On with Indian Idol 4
Yeh style, Yeh music,
Yeh world humara hain!

Starting Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Only on Sony Entertainment Television

Mumbai, September 11, 2008: After creating ripples in the Indian television industry with its successful run of three seasons, Indian Idol the hugely popular adaptation of the blockbuster `Pop Idol` format is back with its fourth season. The first episode of Indian Idol 4 hits the tube on Friday, September 19, 2008 at 9.00 pm exclusively on Sony Entertainment Television. The fourth season of this iconic show, promises to bring alive the wave of enthusiasm among the youth and once again create a record in the history of television viewership.

Indian Idol provides a platform for the young Indians who dare to dream, has the ability to chase them and bring them to life. From being a path breaking show on Indian television in Season 1 to creating youth icons and a band in the last season, Indian Idol has touched the zenith of reality television.

The show format of Indian Idol does not limit itself to scanning only singing talent but also looks out for an overall `performer`. The show intends to give the youth of today their `own icon`; an individual who in addition to being a talented singer is also someone the youth can relate to... be it attitude, style, desire to win and fight for the ultimate stardom. The show combines drama and reality with music, humour, thrill and glamour making it undoubtedly the ultimate `made for television` show. The last three seasons of the show experienced a collage of emotions, raising levels of viewer frenzy and excitement coupled with the contestants` tears and joys, heartbreak and jubilation, learnings and achievements.

While the show will continue to enthrall the viewers across the country, it will also address the aspirations of "Young India" this season. It is all about friendship, desire to stand out, spontaneity, personality, confidence, giving back to the society and more importantly `a need to belong` these are captured in the line `Yeh Style, Yeh Music, Yeh World Humara Hai`

Indian Idol 4 brings back to the viewers the loveable twosome from the last season - Deepali and Chang, who stole million hearts during their tryst with the coveted title! This dynamic duo returns to the stage as the charming new hosts for the audition phase. The first phase of audition episodes will showcase the emotions and eccentricities of contestants as they come to try their luck and embrace their dreams momentarily... from singing to melodrama... the show unplugs the spirit and the emotional saga of the youth of the nation.

This season also introduces two new jury members - the stunning and gorgeous Sonali Bendre and the well renowned Sufi singer Kailash Kher who will join music director Annu Malek and lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar to complete the panel of jury. Television`s heart-throb and guardian angel of the contestants,Hussain Kuwajerwala is back with his second innings to host Indian Idol 4.

"Indian Idol is a true celebration of young talent. Over the past three seasons, the show has not only broken its own viewership and voting response records but more importantly it has captured the imagination of the youth of the country and come to become the ultimate TV brand for Young India. It remains the only show, where an ordinary Indian can fulfill his dream and aspiration of achieving an extra-ordinary position. As the show gets bigger & better, it will not only showcase the talent of the participants, but also showcase their camaraderie. Competition is a must, but this will be interspersed with friendship and fun too!" said Albert Almeida, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Sony Entertainment Television.

Said Niret Alva, Chairman of Miditech Private Limited, the producer of the show: "There`s no show quite like Indian Idol, and this year it gets even bigger and better. The talent bar has been raised, our new anchors are refreshingly improvisational, there is tantalizing chemistry between our two new judges and the huge number of contestants wanting to audition proved that there is no other show like Indian Idol which takes the young aspirants on a roller coaster ride to fame and fortune. The Idol auditions moved extensively from smaller towns to big metros in India, from England to Dubai on a quest to reach out to the undiscovered raw talent who could evolve and grow with the show. The quality of contestants who have auditioned reiterates that there is no other reality show that offers such a promising platform to the youth."

Indian Idol 4 is being launched with robust marketing initiatives, a 360 degrees integrated communication, all of which will roll out to drive the brand experience across gully, nukkad, campuses, malls, coffee shops and youth hang-outs across 16 cities and towns in India. City concerts will follow with live performances by the top 12 contestants, which offers the viewers an opportunity to interact with their Idols and vice versa.

A production of such magnitude warrants only the best in the industry to make it happen. Sony Entertainment Television is once again partnering with one of the country`s leading production houses - Miditech Private Limited, the international company - Fremantle Media who are the license holders to the format Indian Idol. Their expertise in producing successful, top quality format shows along with the unparalleled success of Indian Idol 1, 2 & 3in the past three yearswill ensure that this year too Indian Idol is the slickest and most magnificent production on Indian television bringing in the best talent that our country has to offer.

This year a host of experts will groom the Indian Idol aspirants. Mickey Mehta, the well-known health & fitness expert will take care of the physical fitness of the Indian Idol 4 contestants. His training will include yoga & meditation among others.

Indian Idol Website: www.Indianidol.sify.com will be first of its kind micro site hosted by Sify on behalf of SET. It will be a complete website and drive the Indian Idol 4 brand experience online. It will have features like blogs, forums, feedback board, post your video, live chats, profile of contestant, community, games, user generated content along with regular features like video, unseen clips, promotional material, wall papers, interviews etc.

Partners: The television partner is IBN 7 & Radio Mirchi the radio partner.

for more information log on to www.indianidol4.sify.com