MUMBAI: "It is not about unveiling some Pop Star, nor is it about another jury star. But Indian Idol is really all about unearthing one amazing talent."

Taking a clear jibe at the rest of the musical talent hunts going around, Sony Entertainment Television India’s executive vice president, programming and response Tarun Katial, flagged off the Mumbai leg of the ground hunt at a press conference held at Mumbai’s JW Marriott today.

According to the Katial, the Delhi and the Kolkatta auditions were a huge success with over 3,000 candidates auditioning at each centre. Delhi, according to him, did surprise them with its talent.

But the conference really was an attempt by the channel to give the sneak preview of the programming to come. The easy banter between the celebrity judges, music director Anu Mallik, singer Sonu Nigam and director-choreographer Farah Khan, was a clear plus, just like in the hugely successful American version of the hunt "American Idol". While there are no prizes for guessing who will play Paula Abdul, what could well be worth watching out for is Anu Mallik's mean impression of Simon Cowell.