Auditions for the second season of the hugely popular reality show Indian Idol have begun. Once again, it will be hosted by Mini Mathur and Aman Varma, and judged by Anu Malik, Farah Khan and Sonu Nigam.

The show will be aired on November 14.

When asked why the judges were being repeated, Farah Khan said, "Wherever Idol has been successful in the world, the three judges have always remained the same. This is part of the success formula because not only do contestants form a bond with the audience, but even judges form that bond. Everyone has their favourite judge and people look forward to their comments. Besides, I had such a good time last time with Sonu and Anu that I wanted to repeat the experience!"

Anu Malik hopes for a female Indian Idol this time around. "I wanted a female winner the first time too. The girl must have great looks, attitude and a great voice. She should be a combination of Julia Roberts' face and Britney Spears' voice. Yes, Abhijeet Sawant (the first Indian Idol) was good, but Prajakta Shukre also had a chance."

Sonu Nigam added that platforms like Indian Idol were important to choose youth icons as well. "Music is an important part of our life. But when it comes to choosing youth icons, there are no singers or music directors," he said. "We choose actors and cricketers. This is why such shows are necessary, because music gets recognition as an art. I want my country to have 20 such formats."

Sonu also reveals that in the first round of auditions, good as well as bad singers are selected. "We follow the Idol format in the UK and US. According to that, we have to choose the best and worst singers. We avoid the average ones."

Farah elaborated, "The fun is watching bad singers because the show has to be entertaining. If you don't see the worst, you will never know how good the others are."

However, in the first season, Anu Malik was especially rude to poor singers. When asked about this, the music director got upset, "What do you mean by rude? If I tell a contestant that he or she is okay but needs to try harder, I'm wasting the person's time. Instead, I just tell the person that he/she can't sing. Why give them false expectations? I have been asked to be the way I am on this show. My voice is like that, I can't help it. If Sonu says something rude, it will sound sweet because his voice is full of love."

Farah added, "I think we are pretty okay. We weren't as rude as the judges on American Idol or other reality shows. I think we are funny! And you do have to be honest to them."

With so many reality shows doing the rounds, will there be enough work for singers who emerge victorious? Malik thinks so. "There will always room for more," he says. "And it's good for audiences as they will get only good singers."

On a closing note, Farah leaves a word of advice for participants: "Take the competition seriously, as people are watching you and also because you will be getting a contract worth Rs 1 crore. Prepare yourself because this is the biggest platform you will get in this country."