Great bathroom singer? TV wants you

By Tony Tharakan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A television channel is looking out for good singers in the one place that has escaped the prying eyes of reality TV -- the bathroom.

"Bathroom Singer", a new singing contest on the Filmy entertainment channel, will zero in on an untrained performer who's good at singing in the shower and can enthral viewers.

"We are looking for a combination of voice and a certain flavour. For example, the exuberance and energy with which people sing in their bathrooms," said Shailesh Kapoor, Filmy's content and marketing head late on Wednesday.

Contestants, who have to be 18 years and above, will exercise their vocal cords in a studio set that replicates a bathroom with tiled walls, showers and taps, but will not appear undressed.

"As the show progresses, there will be specific themes and situations which ask for a certain kind of costume," Kapoor said, without giving details.

It was not clear whether the competition would eventually require participants to sing under a running shower.

Auditions start later this month with the show set to go on air in late August.

Unlike the many youth-oriented reality shows that have become very popular on Indian channels, the creators of "Bathroom Singer" also hope to attract older contestants.