BB Desk
Neha Kakkar is all set to come back to the music reality-show space as a mentor on I-POPSTAR Vol. 2, a platform that brings together young artists who write, compose, and perform their own original music. Ahead of the new season, the singer opened up about her decision to take a break from Indian Idol after being associated with the show for five consecutive years.
Clarifying the exit was her own decision Neha shares, “I was the one who told the makers that I would not be able to continue with the show anymore. I received so much love on Indian Idol, so when they came and said, ‘We want you for this season as well. We cannot imagine the season without you,’ it was very difficult for me to say no.”
Highlighting the need to take a long due break she adds, “I had done the show continuously for five years, and for me, it had become a little monotonous. It was the same routine, and I have always been someone who likes change. So I decided to take a break.”
The move to I-POPSTAR Vol. 2 has given the singer an opportunity to explore a format that closely connects with her own journey as a pop artist. “I think I will be able to relate to I-POPSTAR a lot because I am a pop star myself. Here, I will also get the opportunity to witness many other pop stars, listen to their performances and mentor them. I think it is a great platform,” remarks Neha.
The singer feels that audiences today are also more open to diverse sounds, including pop music. “There is much more acceptance for different kinds of music now, and audiences have become more evolved when it comes to pop music.” Neha believes that quality remains the biggest factor, regardless of genre. “Good music is good music, whether it is a slow love song or a dance number.”
Neha also dismissed speculation that music reality shows are scripted. Speaking about I-POPSTAR she shares, “It is absolutely not scripted. People’s lives are not scripted either.” Recalling her own humble beginnings, she explained that the contestants’ personal journeys can naturally evoke genuine emotions. “If I hear someone’s story and genuinely feel emotional, then of course those emotions are real.”
The singer further recalled a difficult moment in her personal life when a disagreement with her brother and collaborator Tony Kakkar left her feeling like she wanted to walk away from everything. “I had a very solid fight with Tony Bhai. I reached a point where I thought I am leaving everything. I don’t want to do anything. This whole world is terrible. However, music remained something I could not give up. I am never leaving music. How can I do that to my fans who give me so much love? I had to come back,” reveals Neha.
Talking about what sets I-POPSTAR Vol. 2 apart, Neha underlined its focus on artists creating their own music. “There is no other show where the artists are doing everything themselves. They are writing their own music, creating their own songs and then performing them.”
Neha also maintained that the show should not be compared with other music-based reality formats. “They are completely different. Hustle is about hip-hop and rap, while I-POPSTAR is about singers who will be creating and performing songs in a different way.”
With a new generation of artists and original music at its centre, Neha is now looking forward to her mentoring stint on I-POPSTAR Vol. 2. “It is a completely different show altogether, and we are going to rock it,” she signs off.
