Karan Johar set to judge singing reality show says he himself can’t sing at all

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who will be the judge for a singing reality show ‘Dil Hai Hindustani,’ says he himself can’t sing at all.

“It’s my first singing show. I can’t sing at all. I have zero knowledge about singing but I do understand Hindustani music, Bollywood music. For judging the show we have Shekhar Ravjiani, Shalmali Kholgade, Badshah to look at the technicalities. I will look for the X factor in a person,” Karan told reporters in Mumbai at the launch of the show.

“I have seen the talent (contestants) on the show, I must say they are amazing. My mind was blown away when I saw people from abroad singing Indian songs. I was impressed,” he said.

Karan reveals he was once advised by his mother not to sing in school competition.

“There was a talent parade in my school. I was eight years old and I used to understand music, Sur, but my mother had told me that I should either recite a poem or give a speech but don’t sing. I thought singing English song will be good idea but I was asked to leave. I have knowledge of music but I can’t sing,” he added.

The 44-year-old filmmaker is a fan of late Mohammed Rafi.

“I like all Mohammed Rafi songs, there is melody, romance, sweetness and sadness. I like Asha Bhosale’s rendition of ‘Lag Jaa Gale’, it’s my most favourite song, I listen to it all the time,” he adds.

“I hope people will sing songs from the past. Right from 40s to 70s the music was phenomenal. We had Madan Mohan, S D Burman, R D Burman, Shankar Jaikishen...we had amazing people.  I don’t think we can compete with those melodies. I hope contestants will take us down memory lane.”

Karan has been judging a dance reality show and talent reality show as well. “I am judging for six years, I can do PhD in judging,” he said jokingly.