How Sunidhi stole Anu Malik thunder on Indian Idol 5

For a change, composer Anu Malik isn’t hogging the limelight on the new season of the talent hunt show. Playback star Sunidhi Chauhan has overshadowed her belligerent co-judge with her intelligent vibes.

Anu Malik wasn’t expecting this.

Over four seasons, he bossed over Indian Idol — bullying, yelling at and admonishing contestants and co- judges alike. His desi Simon Cowell act overshadowed almost everything else on the talent hunt show, as Anu relished the limelight with his belligerent antics that did wonders for TRPs.

Till Sunidhi Chauhan happened to Indian Idol this year.

When the pretty and sophisticated Sunidhi entered Indian Idol 5 as the female celebrity face of Indian Idol judge brigade, she was the last person expected to steal Anu’s thunder. In the past after all more glamorous divas such as Sonali Bendre, Farah Khan and Alisha Chinai had to yield to the Anu syndrome. Sunidhi, the ultra- cool playback star with no evident signs of ever going over the top, didn’t really look like a threat to Anu.

Yet, that’s what has happened on Indian Idol 5.

Sunidhi has emerged as the real star of the show with her chutzpah and hands- on participation, even as co- judges Anu and Salim Merchant have taken a backseat.

Perhaps the audience wanted a change from Anu’s antics. And perhaps channel bosses at Sony, where the show airs, realised as much and gratefully let Sunidhi take centrestage. The camera this year, after all, seems more prone to focus on Sunidhi than Anu or Salim.

“ Sunidhi’s spunk and honest opinions make her a complete package. She is a musician, and glamorous too. That’s the reason she has managed to do what previous female judges failed,” says a channel boss at Sony without wishing to be named.

You realise the logic in that opinion.

Farah Khan always seemed more interested in the packaging of a contestant.

Alisha, despite being a musician, was strangely happy to just flash a pretty grin. She also seemed verbally challenged. And Sonali, despite her gorgeous presence, was the veritable fish out of water while judging a music reality show.

Anu’s modus operandi on the past four seasons has been simple. He would be blunt and/ or sarcastic while commenting on a performance.

And when it was the turn of another judge to comment, he’d cut him or her short midway in order to agree or disagree.

It’s something that led to several famous fights on Indian Idol 4 between Anu and writer- lyricist Javed Akhtar, known for his blunt comments.

Sunidhi, of course, doesn’t take Anu’s attitude lying down. During the auditions for instance, when Anu went on and on while commenting on a singer, Sunidhi quipped to Salim: “ How much he talks! Doesn’t he allow other person to speak?” A stunned Anu didn’t know how to react.

He hadn’t faced this situation over the seasons.