Jalota for ban on SMS voting for reality shows

Jabalpur, Oct 29 (UNI) Noted Bhajan singer Anup Jalota favours ban on Short Message Service (SMS) to decide the winner in reality shows as it makes fun of real singers and the role of the jury becomes irrelevant.

''SMS voting is a ploy adopted by television channels to earn money. I will not be a jury for such shows whose winner is decided by SMS voting'', Mr Jalota told UNI on the sidelines of National Music Academy programme here yesterday.

''About 25 per cent SMS voting is done by those people, who have not watched the show'', claimed Mr Jalota, adding they only vote due to a contestant's appeal.

''Earlier only specialists in different genres selected the winner in order to crown the real talent'' he said, recalling how a music show jury comprising himself few years ago had selected Shreya Ghoshal, who is now an established artist.

On the contrary, he said, winners of present day music shows fade after some time.

Appealing against remix of old songs, he said music lovers should unitedly oppose it. 'In remixes, the soul of original song is lost'', said Mr Jalota.

Budding singers should do the practice daily with classical music as their base as 'shortcut will lead to short-circuit'', he added.

UNI