Sanjay Leela Bhansali is back to television after a gap of four years and will be seen judging Sony’s musical reality show X Factor. Bhansali had judged the very first season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Here is the director-turned-composer sharing his insights on judging, on why he is Madhuri Dixit’s biggest fan and everything else… After Jhalak, why did you stay away from TV? Jhalak was a wonderful experience and there was no point in trying to find out any other experience as enjoyable. It was important to me to get back to films since I am a director. I had decided I will take up TV aaraam se. I finished Guzaarish and since I had a break before my next film, thought of doing this show. It’s a singing reality show and I thought after four years another reality show would be enjoyable. I thought if people keep seeing me every year in a reality show they might get bored. How would you define X Factor? I don’t know how to define it. For example, when Aditya Narayan just walks by, when he sings or performs, you see a spark in him. He has the eagerness to explore, the passion, the personality. Amitabh Bachchan has that. How can one define his X factor? Finding that quality in singing is going to be challenging. He should be a complete performer, entertainer, someone who is able to express through his songs. What is your X factor? I am still discovering it. I feel it’s my hard work. I work like a dog. I know I have something in me but as I said am still finding it. What are the key things you would be looking for in the contestants? A breakthrough voice, a good voice is important. Their eyes should be expressive as to me your eyes can tell a lot of things. They should be able to connect with someone sitting even on the last chair. I will also look at their ability to perform. I want to see a performer. In India, Kishor Da (Kumar) was a complete entertainer, he had that X Factor. He did what he felt like everything just came from his heart, his singing, dancing, acting. Will you be very exacting in your judgements? During the auditions, I will be lenient as singing before an audience for the very first time does make you nervous but after that, I will be myself. Will the X Factor contestant get a chance to sing for your movies as well? Yes, if he is good then why not! I have worked with newcomers be it Vibhavari in Guzaarish or Monty, Shail Hada. New people bring new energy. They don’t come with excess baggage and they give you a lot more. If the person is right at that point of time then my doors are open. Do you think the singer would get the opportunity to explore further, once the show dies down? If you have the talent, then no one can stop you. In this case, you even have the platform, readymade grooming and the TV exposure. But if you have the talent and you are a performer and are willing to work hard then nothing can stop you. But some people are frivolous about all this and so they lose out. Everyone who gets this platform also should be able to chase the dream after the show. What is more difficult - judging or direction? Both are equally difficult. In judging, the cameras are on me, I will be seen in many households. But in direction, no one is looking at me, no one is following me, the nation is not watching you, so you are at ease and comfortable. While on TV, I will have to be more careful, more alert as we are talking someone’s career here. Both are equally challenging and require equal responsibility. When you were judging Jhalak, were you careful about passing remarks on celebrities? Oh yes! I feel it is important t respect contestants on national TV, celebrity or not. You don’t have to be rude. I had to judge Rati Agnihotri and a fellow director like Mahesh Manjrekar, so had to be careful with what I said. When you treat someone with respect and dignity, there is a lot of fun to it. Bad behaviour on TV is quite nauseating. You did Jhalak four years back, how much have reality shows changed over time? They are far more demanding now. Now there are auditions, cameras, media and a live audience. It is demanding, it asks a lot of you and of course you have to give in. TV is a strong medium and we might as well behave responsibly than just faffing around. You’ve always been fond of Madhuri Dixit; did you watch her on Jhalak? Madhuri Dixit is a diva and I loved her on Jhalak! But I was very upset about something. I waited two and a half years at her door for Khamoshi, it didn’t happen then I again waited for her for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam but with Devdas it finally happened. I had made up my mind. I waited four years to see her dance as Chandramukhi and the Jhalak contestants got to see her dance every two minutes. I was very upset, this isn’t fair. She is such a great artist. She lights up when she is performing and that is what I think is the X factor.