A full circle of life

Neeti Mohan of ‘Jiya re’ fame, is all set to be a judge on singing reality show ‘The Voice’. In a candid interview, the singer speaks about her latest role, life and style mantra

From being judged on a reality TV show to become a judge in one, Neeti Mohan has come a long way. Hailing from Delhi, Neeti participated in ‘Channel V Popstars’ in 2003 and she along with other winners formed a music band ‘Asma’ and they gave the hit song “Chandu Ke Chacha Ne” and from then on there was no looking back for her.

She shot to fame with her debut Bollywood song “Jiya re” in Shah Rukh Khan – starrer film ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’. The classical trained playback singer has won many accolades for her singing and now she is all geared up and excited to don her new role on the hit TV show ‘The Voice’.

From being a contestant on a reality show to being a judge on one, how was the journey?
I feel life in a small and a big way for me has come to a full circle. I am the one who had actually walked on a stage for a reality show, performed in front of the judges, got selected, won a reality show and started my career. Then I did playbacks in films and concerts.

Now it’s like I am on the other side of the stage where I will be seeing kids walking on the stage and performing in front of me. It makes me feel about two things very strongly. One - that I look back at my own journey and feel very grateful. Second, I am very thrilled to be a judge on ‘The Voice’ because I think I have always liked the mentoring part; I have done that for my sisters and I still do.

What kind of preparation are you doing to be a judge on the show?
It's my first time that I will be seen as a judge on a show. I have no idea how it would be like to be on set. I am really relieved about the fact that Shaan and Shekhar are two really good people. I am their junior but I think it will be nice. In terms of special preparation, it’s an interesting format of the show where we won’t be able to see the contestant first.

We will only be hearing the voice. Once we like the voice and press the buzzer, our chairs will turn to the contestant. What I am planning is to be a very good listener so that in one line I want to spot the right talent and take them in my team. I just want to gather good talent on the show and be very supportive. That’s the preparation.

Don't you think there are way too many reality shows these days?
Reality shows really help people to showcase talent. If I had to give you our example - Neeti Mohan, Shakti Mohan and Mukti Mohan - All three of us started our careers with reality shows. None of us from my family would have had any chance to make it into entertainment industry whatsoever.

We are from Delhi and no one from our family is an artist, and we had no connection with anyone. When reality shows happened, we went and won them, and that is how we started our careers. I agree there are too many reality shows but I think people like watching them. However, there are too many reality shows, so what also happens is that if there are singers who come to the industry every year, the challenge is that you have to be so good and unique that you have to stand out in the crowd.

Are reality shows scripted to create emotional drama?
Emotional drama? I don’t think so. Yes we do see people get emotional because I myself have become emotional on a reality show when I made it to the Top 8 because the whole process of auditioning, going through so many rounds, performing in front of the judges, which people think is easy, trust me, is not.

There is so much pressure that each contestant goes through and you get so little time for preparation before you stand in front of national TV. You have to be confident, you don’t have time, you have not eaten, and you’ve not slept. Music especially thrives on emotion and it is bound to happen. It’s not scripted actually; contestants go through a lot on the show. If they win or lose, then crying or getting too excited or too nervous - these things are very natural to see on TV.

By: Navin Pivhal