Wish I had platform like India's Raw Star 10 years ago: Honey Singh

Mumbai: Rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, who willplay the role of a mentor on TV reality show 'India's Raw Star', says had he got such a platform during the initial years of his career, it would not have taken him 10 years to establish himself.

The new reality singing show aims to find India's best rock star from 10 contestants, who have been personally hand-picked by the rapper after rounds of digital auditions. "The contestants are getting an opportunity which I did not get 10 years ago. I had to work on my own to establish myself. I wish I had got such a platform. They are getting a chance to achieve what I did after 10 years. So, they should make the most of it," Honey told reporters here.

The 'Lungi Dance' hitmaker said the show won't have the standard 3 member judging panel and he will be seen in multiple roles. 'India's Raw Star' will mark the return of producer
Gajendra Singh, who is known as the pioneer of music reality shows on TV. "After doing so many shows- 'Antakshari', 'Sa Re Ga Ma' and others, there was a fatigue factor. For a long time I did not do any show. So, we thought we have to really do something different this time," he said.

Model-actress Gauhar Khan will make her debut as a host with the show and said she was honoured when she was chosen as the anchor of the show. "I had no apprehension about taking on the role of an anchor as I was approached by Gajji. I just had one condition that I would not share the hosting duties with anyone. I think it is going to be a fun 14-week-journey. I could not have asked for anything better," said Gauhar.

Mohit Gaur from Jaipur, Dipti Sharma from Vadodra, Darshan Raval from Ahmedabad, Suraj Biswas and Rituranjan Mohanty from Puri, Pardeep Singh from Malout, Mohan Rathore
from Ghajipur and Mansheel from Pune are the India-based contestants. Jeffery Iqbal from Newark and Rimi Nique from Thailand will add international flavour to the show, which will air on Star Plus from August 24.