I was bowled over by 'Superstars', says Urmila

Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Television channels are going star-shopping for their talent hunt shows in a big way. The latest and most glamorous addition is Urmila Matondkar, who will be the traffic-stopping judge on Sahara's swanky new talent show "Superstars".

The show, to be produced by the company Endemol, which has done "Fear Factor" and is soon to work on "Big Brother" on Sony, will go on the air in September.

"'Superstars' too is based on a foreign show. When Sahara showed me the original I was bowled over. It looked really tempting and exciting," Urmila told IANS.

"Very honestly I've been offered several shows on TV to judge. But none seemed inviting enough. 'Superstars' was very tempting, and I fell for it. Firstly, because I love to be part of any medium that encourages new talent. I recently went on Sony's 'Boogie Woogie' and had a blast.

"What I like about 'Superstars' is that eager youngsters get a chance not just to dance and showcase any one facet of their talent. They get to prove themselves in every department, so by the end of the season we've discovered one complete potential superstar."

The show will have two permanent judges - Urmila and choreographer Shiamak Davar - and one variable judge each week.

"I'm looking forward to working with Shiamak. Of course, I know him socially. But this would be an occasion to work together. I think I'm going to have a lot of fun."

While Urmila prepares for "Superstars", she's also gung-ho about her forthcoming release "Bas Ek Pal".

"It's looking very 'today', very contemporary. Onir is a very sensitive and mature director. No character is all right or all wrong. Onir dwells in ambiguities. I'd say the screenplay is very French and everyone comes across as very real."

Urmila has come away with many good memories associated with the film.

"'Bas Ek Pal' has been a wonderful experience. I had seen 'My Brother Nikhil' and it was very exciting to work with someone who had made such a beautiful and sensitive movie.

"When I met Onir, he told me this sensitive story about five characters played by me, Sanjay Suri, Juhi Chawla, Rehan Engineer and Jimmy Shergil. I liked all the characters instantly. I like Onir's take on life. I can't think of any Hindi film that's styled and narrated like 'Bas Ek Pal'. So, I guess my thirst for the first remains unquenched."

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Bas Ek Pal