STAR seems to be on a roll to produce programming to rival its number two opposition ZEE TV.

In what looks like an imitating move, STAR Plus will now launch its own talent hunt show to compete with ZEE's hit show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'. Coincidently, the STAR show name is quite similar to that of ZEE TV's top musical reality show.

The programme is named 'STAR Voice of India-Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa' and will air on flagship channel STAR Plus from mid-May.

The similar programme name and format does not come as a huge surprise as it is former ZEE TV producer Gajendra Siingh who is behind the new STAR show. Siingh will also direct the show. Singer Shaan will host the show (former Sa Re Ga Ma Pa presenter on ZEE TV).

'Voice of India' elevates the concept of talent hunts and reality television to a whole new level with its unique and innovative format. The selected singers from each audition city will get the opportunity to perform live in their respective cities at exciting ground events even before the show goes on air. After an exhaustive round of auditions and performances, 30 finalists will come together for a chance to compete to become the ‘Voice of India’.

Siingh said, "Music is our passion and has always been. We have always endeavoured to do something with music since we are very involved with this concept. Talent scouting is our forte. Our focus has always been to tap talent, and with 'Voice of India', we are here to do that once again. The differentiation in this cluttered space is the music and the participants. Besides best production values, we are also trying to bring in a new and interesting format to make the show a success. With backing from a channel like STAR Plus, we are confident that we will touch greater heights."

Musicians Alka Yagnik, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Aadesh Shrivastava, Jatin and Lalit Pandit will form the esteemed panel of judges.

ZEE TV said that if the STAR show is in anyway similar to its, then the broadcaster will take legal action, "If we find the content and format of Star’s new show any way similar to our show, we will take legal recourse and serve them legal notice," said Ashish Kaul, senior vice president of ZEE group.

When Gajendra Siingh defected to STAR last year, his first production for the network was the ever popular 'Antakshari’ show to rival ZEE TV's own 'Antakshari' gameshow. ZEE TV's 'Antakshari' has been able to edge its rival in the TV ratings war.

Also a few months ago, ZEE issued STAR TV a legal notice over the name of a drama both channels were to launch. 'Betiyaan' on ZEE TV started days before STAR One launched its own drama, which also carried a similar storyline. STAR One was forced to change its show name to 'Betiyaan Apni Yaa...Paraya Dhan’.

"Once STAR Vijaya, the tamil channel of STAR India was launching Saregamapa and we had served then legal notice expressing our reservations. They withdrew the show. Again, when STAR One was launching a soap called Betiyaan...similar to a ZEE soap, we objected and they had to change the name," Kaul added.

Last year, ZEE TV bounced back to the number two position thanks to the successful 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa -Challenge 2006' contest. STAR Plus is hoping its own 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa' drives new viewers to its channel.

ZEE TV launches 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa -Challenge 2007' next month also.

Related links:
Vishal Shekhar to judge 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa'
Himesh to judge for ZEE or Sony?
STAR One spruces up schedule for February
ZEE TV welcomes back 'Antakshari' in January
Producer Gajendra Singh quits ZEE TV
ZEE's 'Betiyaan' row over; STAR renames show