Jhalmuri, live music and camaraderie behind ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’

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As the show returns with new season, Neeti Mohan shares Kumar Sanu’s jhalmuri ritual, while Shreyas Talpade and Shankar Mahadevan talk about their musical journey

Mumbai, September 20

There is music on the stage of “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa”, but some of the season’s most charming moments are happening away from it. A plate of Kolkata’s jhalmuri, conversations between rehearsals and a host hoping to become a better singer, the new season has plenty of stories beyond the performances.

The musical panel brings together singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan, playback singer Kumar Sanu, singer Neeti Mohan and playback singer Javed Ali, with actor Shreyas Talpade stepping in as the host.

Neeti Mohan recently shared one such glimpse, revealing Kumar Sanu’s habit of bringing Kolkata delicacies to the sets and sharing them with everyone. “Kumar Sanu ji is a big foodie and he always makes sure that everyone around him is well fed, that too with the best delicacies of Kolkata,” she says. “He brings this jhalmuri from Kolkata itself which is loved by everyone.”

For Mohan, the new season has also meant working alongside some of the country’s established musical voices. The mix of musical experience and easy camaraderie, she said, has made the shoot an enjoyable one.

For Talpade, meanwhile, hosting the singing reality show for the first time has been a different kind of musical journey. Surrounded by live musicians and singers, the actor said the experience has been extraordinary and joked that “I’m having an absolute blast hosting the show and I hope that by the time this season ends, I also improve my singing skills and become a good singer!”

Mahadevan, too, sees the season as a celebration of India’s musical diversity. From folk traditions to classical forms and regional sounds, the singer-composer described Indian music as a vast “treasure chest”, “with every region bringing its own unique sound.”

And perhaps that is what makes the new season interesting. The performances may take centre stage, but between the songs are the moments that make a show feel less like a production and more like a shared experience; food passed around, music discussed and artists simply enjoying being together.

“Sa Re Ga Ma Pa” airs on Zee TV on Saturdays and Sundays at 9.30 pm and streams on Hindi ZEE5.