MUMBAI: After 'VIVA', Channel [V] is now forging ahead with Popstars 2. Only this time it will not be an all-girl band but a mixed one.
Indiatimes and Coke have joined forces again with the channel in the search for the mixed-band, which will be chosen through auditions conducted across Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata and Ahmedabad.
Conceptually, Popstars 2 will follow the same format as last year - a prominent jury comprising leading luminaries from the Indian music scene, traversing the country to meet aspiring musicians, going through an exhaustive screening process, ultimately resulting in the creation of a band that fulfils all the requirements for success. 
Palaash Sen, lead singer of the critically acclaimed band Euphoria; Mehnaaz, one of the leading lights of Indipop and Channel [V] VJ Purab are among the panel of judges this year. 
Announcing the launch of Channel [V] Popstars 2 in New Delhi today, Star India chief executive Peter Mukerjea said: "It's another magical chapter in entertainment television. Channel [V]'s Popstars was a huge success last year, not just for VIVA but for the channel as well. We have always looked for fresh, innovative ideas that would connect with our audiences, involving them in the lives of the characters in our soaps and serials. Popstars took this a step further with the reality television show. The Star Network is proud to be associated with this wonderful platform that showcases the talent of India." 
The journey from audition to the final launch of the band is expected to take about five months from start to finish. Said V's vice president content and communication, Keertan Adyanthaya, "Popstars 2 - the television show, will allow viewers across the country to share the joys, the sorrows, the anticipation and every other emotion that the contestants go through. It's about being a part of their lives and also being a part of history that is in the making". 
The first edition of Popstars in 2002 did fetch good ratings for the channel but the band failed to make ripples in the pop music scenario in the country. Matters worsened when one of the girls, Seema Ramchandani, broke away from the five member band late last year.
VIVA has sold over half a million and is shortly scheduled to launch their second album. Announcing the brands that will be associated with Channel [V] Popstars 2, Monica Tata, senior V-P ad sales, said, "Our associate sponsors so far are Henkel Spic (Fa), who were our last year's sponsors as well and Boots Piramal (Clearasil) and the plans for the rest are fast filling up."