Kasmin Fernandes (MID-DAY; September 19, 2016)

Fresh off the release of her music video Trouble with Malaysian singer Resh, singer-anchor Monica Dogra resumes judging duties for the second season of English singing talent hunt, The Stage, which went on air on September 17. A major supporter of the English music scene, she talks about why she’s taking a step back. Excerpts from an interview:

What are you looking for in the contestants of The Stage?
Star quality and being a captivating performer are two of the things I am looking for. In India, there’s a culture of karaoke and cover bands, but we are trying to launch India’s next international superstar.

Who are you rooting for?
There are so many elements that go into deciding the winner that it’s hard to predict.

Are you taking a step back from live performances?
Yes, in the past, I have literally paid festivals to perform. I don’t think that’s fair. I have always been a supporter and a proponent of the scene. I have done things for little to no money in an effort to grow what exists today. But now, I need to move beyond that. I need to earn money and produce my own work.

What’s next?
Shiver releases this month end. It features Adhuna Akhtar to trans activists to designer Elton J Fernandez. Doing it all on my own without any backing or help from a record label took a lot of time and effort. I am writing a new EP with producer Abhimanyu Malhotra.