Kolkata: Having conducted road shows in all major metros across the country, Sony Entertainment Television would kick off its mega talent hunt show 'Indian Idol', a take off from the superhit UK series Pop Idol, in Kolkata tomorrow (Sep 8, 2004).

Choosing the 'cultural capital' of the country as the first stop for its country-wide hunt, Sony's Executive Vice-President, Programming, Tarun Katial told a press meet in Kolkata that one person would be chosen from among thousands of aspirants to get a recording contract with a leading music company alongside a Rs one crore contract with Sony.

"We are looking for not simply a good voice but also a personality oozing confidence and positive attitude. The hunt for such a person will take us to at least 10 cities where we will invite all qualifying participants," Katial said.

Auditions for the mega show will be held in Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, where a panel of three judges, choreographer and film maker Farah Khan, melody king Anu Malik and youth icon Sonu Nigam, would select 100 aspirants.

The show would go on air in October, Katial said.

In November, the judges would trim them down to 300 and through audience votes select the final 10. By February 2004 through a series of interactions and live shows, one person would be crowned the 'Indian Idol', Khan present at the press meet said.

Khan said the programme would provide a platform to young talented Indians to get recognised and make a fortune of their talent.