'Basantiii, in kutton ke saamne mat naachna...'. How can any Indian forget this power packed dialogue from the evergreen movie Sholay?

Dharmendra Singh Deol who gave this dhamaakedharr dialogue on silver screen, and is all now set to step in as a judge in Colors' upcoming show India's Got Talent Season 3.

Will he bash the screen like the old Jai? Or will he be a lenient judge?

Lets hear it from him...

You are making a debut on small screen with this show; what difference are you finding in television when compared to big screen?
I love camera be it a big screen or small screen; it does not matter. Today the small screen has taken over the world and you look into every house there is a tv.

How difficult is judging?
It's not at all difficult to judge anyone. Take for instance, we go to watch a movie like a layman and we know we are not the writer or the director to know about the movie. Still when we come out of the theatre, we comment on it.

You have also entered into the industry through a reality show?
Yes, I can relate to the feelings of the contestants because I have also gone through the same phase. I know what is it to undergo rejection and what is the pressure of a reality show. I remember how I came down to Mumbai to take part in a reality show and that was the first time I stayed in a Five Star hotel.

There are so many reality shows today on television, what would you want to say about India's Got Talent?
There is no age bar in this show and any type of talent is welcomed in this show. That's the most unique part of the show.

Is there any talent in the show that has really captured you?
There was a group of little kids who performed Salsa. They performed it so beautifully that really awed me. Everyone is really good and talented.

Who was the first one to call you Darling D?
I would not like to name one person as there are many people who call me by this name I don't want to upset anyone by taking one person's name.

Tell us about your co judge Sonali and Kirron Kher?
They are like a family to me where both of them are very nice and warm. I get along with everyone.

You have taken lot of time to come on TV?
Everything has its own time. When I entered Bollywood I realized that it was the time when I have to concentrate on that and now it is TV.

What made you debut on TV with this show?
It is the talent that made me to take up this show. I was a contestant once and I can relate to this show very well. 

Do you have an idol in Bollywood industry?
I am big fan of Dilip Kumar and he is my all time favourite.

Reporter and Author: Ranjini Nair