‘Judging is a big responsibility,’ says acclaimed lyricist, poet and screenwriter Manoj Muntashir

What sets the show India’s Got Talent apart from other reality shows?

In one word, variety. The variety of acts and performances that the viewers will get to see on this show is what sets India’s Got Talent apart from any other reality show. The show does not depend on a single act or a single talent. It is neither a singing show nor a dance show. It is everything and that ‘everything’ is the key.

How does it feel to be a part of the show as a judge?

I feel very proud for two reasons. First, the judge’s chair on India’s Got Talent has always been occupied by the greatest talents of the industry. Notable filmmakers, artistes and actors have graced the chair, so receiving this opportunity to be seated on the judges’ panel alongside Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Kirron Kher ji and Badshah definitely comes with responsibility and one needs courage to sit on that chair. Secondly, I also feel very proud because I have been a part of the backstage team for three seasons!

What will be your criterion to judge the talent?

My criterion is very simple. The act should have ‘entertainment’. If the act has moved me, entertained me; has got some scope to move forward, then it’s a yes from my side.

How easy or difficult it is to be a judge?

It is certainly very tough. Talking about it being tough, the audience is going to consume the performances from the judge’s point of view. So, all the judges are a medium between the audience and the performers. Keeping this in mind, we have to judge all the acts very responsibly. It’s a difficult job and it’s a big responsibility.

Tell us something about your camaraderie with the other judges.

The camaraderie is crazy. All of us have never been together on any platform before this. But it doesn’t feel like that. It feels like we have been together since ages. There is a kind of comfort between us and that’s what translates on screen.

Will the viewers see you recite shayari on the show?

Oh yes! You cannot keep a cat away from milk (laughs). As and when I get a chance to perform, I would be very happy to do so. Viewers will see me reciting my shayari. I did the same previously on Indian Idol, and it worked wonders, so why not this time again?

This time there is a fresh panel of judges. Who among the four of you is the most difficult to please?

Kirron ji is the most difficult to please. Because she has seen a barrage of talent over the period of nine seasons. So, for us, things might be new, things might be fresh. But for her, she has seen everything.

What can the viewers look forward to in this season?

Whatever you have seen in the last eight seasons, I mean that was great and that is the reason that we are all here for the ninth season. This season is going to be different because our hunger for presenting something bigger and better has grown. The technology has evolved and the talent has evolved. The artistes have seen all kinds of talent internationally and globally.