Sa Re Ga Ma jury face the music

Reality show judges across the board are facing the ire of the public and the media after Shinjini Sengupta, a contestant from a regional dance reality show, went into coma unable to digest her loss and the 'harsh' comments from the judges.

While it must not be discounted that Shinjini's case has served as fodder to the media to crack down on such reality shows but it has raised certain valid questions. As Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2009 gets underway in a few days its judges had to face the music at the show's launch yesterday.

The jury panel of Himesh Reshammiya, Aadesh Srivastav, and Shankar Mahadevan must have expected an easy evening but they were bombarded with uncomfortable questions from the media. The fourth judge Pritam was spared the blushes as he arrived way after the press conference was over.

Citing Shinjini's example, the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa jury was asked whether those judges are to be blamed for her plight and was it high time that one draws a line when it comes to criticising someone. Shankar Mahadevan quickly said, "I don't think any one is to be blamed for Shinjini's plight. What happened to her is very unfortunate. However, I advise all participants that please remember it is just a musical contest."