- A game changer?
Legendary rock star Ali Azmat is going to be one of the judges for the eagerly anticipated talent show ‘CPEC Idol’, the artist revealed on social media Saturday.
The singing competition is going to be based on praising CPEC and calling it a ‘game changer’ using different sur and taal, along with different regional languages.
Taiwanese musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, film producer, actor and director Jay Chou has also confirmed to judge the talent show alongside Azmat. The Shan Masala Chinese couple is the other two judges, who are also going to be doing the catering.
Azmat and Chou collaborated for the theme song of the show ‘Wo men de CPEC’ (our CPEC), which is in three languages—Urdu, Punjabi and Mandarin.
Chou—a big fan of Junoon—told CCTV 9 that he was very much looking forward to working with Azmat and delivering a message of peace, harmony and economy. “Growing up I was a huge of fan of Junoon and long trade corridors. I always envisioned connecting the world through music and special economic zones (SEZs); therefore, I feel CPEC Idol is definitely going to be a game changer.”
On the other hand, Azmat, while talking to The Dependent, revealed that it was a dream come true for him. “Junoon was a game changer for Pakistani music industry, I was a game changer for pop industry and showmanship, CPEC is a game changer for Pakistan, so naturally, CPEC Idol is also going to be a game changer.”
According to reports, the Chinese couple has already started researching into different flavours and styles of biryani that they would be serving the crew and the other two judges. The winner of the competition will be served biryani made by the wife.
The first episode of the show is going to be recorded in Kashgar—the starting point of CPEC—whereas the finale is going to be held in Gwadar. However, the show has faced criticism from a certain section of Pakistan for not having the western route.
According to a press release, Game Changer Media, the producers of the show, revealed that the show will involve musicians and performers from both Pakistan and China. “The musicians will sing beautiful melodies and ballads, promoting CPEC and the economic vision behind the Belt and Road initiative,” the press release suggests. “Pakistani students studying in China will perform in both Mandarin and Urdu, whereas Chinese participants will be singing in Mandarin as well as doing gestures in Urdu.”