MUMBAI: Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani is known for his chartbuster music and intellectual opinions. Dadlani has charted a new course for Indian rock music. The 45-year-old is the undisputed king of super-hit Hindi songs. Whether it is Swag Se Swagat, Selfie Le Le Re, or Sheila Ki Jawaani, his songs have always connected with the younger lot.

Vishal is currently judging the ongoing season of Sony TV’s music reality series Indian Idol. In an exclusive chat with bestarticles, the Balam Pichakari singer spoke about his judging experience, his upcoming projects, and much more.

You have judged many shows for a long time. How have you evolved as a judge?

I don’t know how a musician can judge another musician. I know how to encourage young singers and share my experience with them while learning from their freshness and lack of cynicism. I’m a friend more than a judge.

There are so many singing shows in the entertainment space. How do you differentiate the Idol series from others?

This is my third season as a judge on Indian Idol, and I have to say, I’ve never seen a show that goes above and beyond the shoot when caring for and nurturing contestants. So many of the kids we had on Indian Idol Junior have been receiving training from the Indian Idol Academy. So many Idol contestants have become stars in their own right. Of course, above all, the prestige of earning the title of Indian Idol is the biggest thing a young musician can hope for!

This time, you are working with a millennial, Neha Kakkar. How has the experience been? Do you think there are things to learn from the younger lot?

I’m always learning: from Neha and Anu Malik too. Both of them really enjoy talking about their achievements and experiences, which is not my scene at all, so I get to sit back and learn from them as well as the singers.

Is the future of talent shows as a genre in danger? With social media taking over, people can easily showcase their talent over digital platforms, for example, Dancing Uncle.

People will always find new ways to express talent, and the business of entertainment can either discover these ways or play catch-up. If digital viewing is the future, then there will inevitably be digital shows too. Only the medium changes and perhaps formats. The core stays the same.

If you had to innovate in the reality music show space, what would you introduce? What can be done in the genre to give it a new feel?

I have a few ideas, having done this a lot. I feel like reality TV needs to find its edge again, and when I can find some time, I’m thinking of producing a show that will redefine the music space within the reality zone. Although, with its twists and turns, this season of Indian Idol is going to really connect.

Your upcoming movies are highly anticipated ones. Could you shed some light on the music of Bharat and SOTY 2, especially Bharat, since it will have a varied time span?

We’re working hard and honestly to make the soundtracks special and memorable. At the end of the day, we want to be true to the films and yet make blockbuster music. Our songs have been the most watched and liked songs in the history of Bollywood for over two years now, starting with Nashe Si Chadh Gayee, Swag Se Swagat, and Dil Diyaan Gallan. We are grateful and humbled by this, and we would like to continue the trend with all our upcoming films.