Javed Akhtar's new avatar

Lata Khubchandani

Lyricist-poet Javed Akhtar is going pop.

He is currently writing an album for the five girls who will be selected in the Coke Channel [V] Popstars contest.

One of the biggest reality shows that India has witnessed involves the collaboration of two media giants - the STAR Network and The Times Group. The project aims to hunt, launch and promote a five-member girl band onto the Indian pop scene.

Girls from Goa, Bangalore, Kolkata, Delhi, Chandigarh and Mumbai were auditioned. The jury, comprising veejay Sushma Reddy, singer Shobha Mudgal, music composer Sandeep Chowta and fashion designer Manish Malhotra, have got the thousands down to ten finalists.

The show is telecast every Thursday at 2000 hrs on Channel [V].

Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy will compose the music, which will be distributed by Sony Music.

"In this album, you will see the modern Indian girl - the thinking and intelligent girl. The songs are not inane and meaningless, talking about rasiya, rangeela or sawariya. The lyrics will reflect her intelligence, self-possession and control," says Akhtar.

Akhtar is also writing a script in collaboration with his son, Farhan of Dil Chahta Hai fame. "It is premature to talk about it right now," he states.