Indian Idol, the hugely popular adaptation of the blockbuster Pop Idol format took the nation by storm in its very first season and followed that with an equally popular second, third and fourth season. While Indian Idol served as the ultimate platform for budding singers from across the nation to realise their dreams, the show went on to become the most entertaining and involving show to hit Indian television. In keeping with its philosophy of offering innovative and distinct content, Sony Entertainment Television, in February announced the launch of the fifth season of this groundbreaking phenomenon, with an even bigger bang! Indian Idol is a ‘made-for-television phenomenon’ that combines drama and reality with music, humour, thrill and glamour. The last four seasons experienced a collage of emotions, raising levels of viewer frenzy and excitement coupled with the contestants’ tears and joys, heartbreak and jubilation, learning and achievements. With its immense popularity, Indian Idol will continue to showcase exceptional talent on the nation’s biggest platform. The Indian Idol journey in search of ‘Desh Ki Awaaz’ promises to become an integral part of the viewers’ lives drawing ardent support and a voting frenzy. This year, too, Indian Idol will give the people of India the opportunity to chase their dreams and the power to make one talented aspirant ‘Desh Ki Awaaz’. In addition to a recording contract with Sony BMG, the ‘Indian Idol’ will be awarded a contract with Sony Entertainment Television worth Rs 1 crore, thus catapulting him or her into unparalleled stardom, fame and fortune. The new series will see two new judges; Sunidhi Chauhan, one of the extremely talented female playback singer of the Indian film industry, created history with her "powerful,"amazing," "husky ... and "sensuous" voice and Salim Merchant, one of the most talented music director and singer, who has been composing music for over a decade having scored for movies such as Iqbal, Chak De India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Fashion. The third judge is none other than Anu Malik, one of the most successful and multi-talented music directors of today. His straight talking coupled with his ‘singing shayari comments’ has always kept the contestants at ease, making him one of the most talked about judges of Indian Idol.