Rising Star made its Indian debut on Colors in February 2017 and was the first real-time voting show in India. In a gripping conclusion, two singers were separated by only 0.2% of the audience vote. The finale also saw actor and producer Anil Kapoor (Slumdog Millionaire) appear as guest judge. Series one attracted an average audience share of 30% and three million voters across the series, according to the companies.

Optimystix Entertainment is now producing another two series for Colors comprising 24 episodes of 90 minutes each. The new series sees the return of the mentors Shankar Mahadevan, Monali Thakur and Diljit Dosanjh in the judging panel. Rising Star 2 will be hosted by TV actors Ravi Dubey and Little Talent Parth Dhamija.

“Rising Star has evolved the talent show genre in India, sustaining a highly engaged, modern audience for Colors TV and we are delighted that they will be rewarded for that loyalty with another two seasons. With the opening of our Mumbai office, we see this as the first of many Keshet International shows in the country,” said Gary Pudney, head of Asia, Keshet International.

Keshet claims that Rising Star is the fastest-selling talent show on record. In the Asia, two seasons of the format have aired in Indonesia and on CCTV-3 in China. A Cambodian version for Town TV is in the pipeline.

Arpit Agarwal, director of India and SAARC, Keshet International, said: “Keshet International has seen its presence steadily grow in India not only with the success of Rising Star, but also with shows such as Prisoners of War and Girlfri3nds doing well. To have Rising Star commissioned for another two series is fantastic and we are pleased that Indian audiences have taken this show to their hearts. We look forward to seeing many more Keshet International shows in the region”.