After over a decade, Pakistan Idol is making its comeback, and it’s rolling in with A-list star power.

 

Pakistan Idol first aired on Geo Entertainment from December 2013 to April 2014, ending with Zamad Baig winning the title in a finale that drew over a million votes. The judging panel included veteran actress Bushra Ansari, rock star Ali Azmat, and pop icon Hadiqa Kiani.

 

But now, it’s back, with an all-new panel that feels like a musical Avengers lineup: Fawad Khan, Zeb Bangash, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Bilal Maqsood.

 

Instagram Post

 

 

The reboot is led by Pakistani media company MHL Global in partnership with Fremantle. And they’re not just thinking small, the new Pakistan Idol will be broadcast on five networks simultaneously. Apparently, that’s a first for any Idol franchise globally. 

 

“This platform will not only spotlight talent nationwide but elevate it to the global stage,” said Zoya Merchant, director at MHL, in a conversation with Variety.

 

To create a buzz, Fawad Khan, in collaboration with Pakistan Idol, dropped an ad on Instagram.

 

The promo features him as a mechanic encouraging another mechanic, who’s mid-ghazal, singing “Dekh to dil ke jaan se uthta hai, yeh dhuaan sa kahaan se uthta hai” (written by Mir Taqi Mir and famously sung by Mehdi Hassan), to stop hiding his talent and audition for Pakistan Idol.

 

“Yeh aapki jagah nahi hai,” says Fawad with a serious face.

 

The other mechanic jokes, “Phir meri kaunsi jagah hai bey?”

 

Fawad hands over an Idol audition card and replies, “Ustad Billu se Ustad Bilal Khan ban jao!”

 

The banter ends with Fawad urging the viewer: “Aap bhi Begin app download karein aur foran apna audition bhejein!”