X-factor India with Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Bhansali

Playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and singer Sonu Nigam are the judges of music reality show X Factor India.

Shreya Ghoshal is not new to music-reality shows but this is the first time she is the judge of one, and the process is turning out to be an emotion one as it is making her reflect and think about her own journey.

Judging X-Factor has brought back memories of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for Shreya, who herself was a participant in the show. Incidentally it was Shreya’s performance on the music-reality show that caught Bhansali’s attention, who then gave her the big break as a singer in Devdas. Sheriya’s five songs in Devdas - Silsila Ye Chaahat Ka, Bairi Piya, Chalak Chalak, Morey Piya and Dola Re Dola - helped her fetch both the Filmfare award for Best Female Playback Singer and the Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.

Talking about X-Factor, Shreya says the experience is even more special as she is judging the show along with two musical icons in Sanjay and Sonu,

"Judging with Sanjayji and Sonu makes it even more special, because the credibility, the musical expanse that is associated with both of them. They are the cream of music icons today," says Shreya.

Shreya is completely in admiration of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s musical abilities, "Guzaarish is completely composed by him. I think somewhere music inspires films for him. For me he is the encyclopedia of good music. He has heard so much that he is just superb," Shreya has been quoted.

So what is the X-factor

Shreya is not entirely specific about what 'X-factor' actually is, beyond that it has to be captivating, and that one is born with it.

"One is born with X-factor. Usually one feels X-factor is something where people jump and show their enthusiasm and all that. Most of our singers don't do that. Lataji does not do that and she is magnificent. It is not specific what X-factor actually is...it has to be captivating," says Shreya.