After her stint with Mr And Miss TV, the gorgeous Sonali Bendre returns to TV as a judge.

Having taken a break from work after the birth of her three- year- old son Ranvir she is now back to where she belongs- under the arc lights. Looking better than ever, Sonali looks a yummy mummy.

She is of the belief that she couldn’t have chosen a better medium than TV to make a comeback as TV has a bigger reach today.

A fit and trim Sonali talks about Indian Idol 4, the recent Raj Thackeray - Jaya Bachchan controversy and much more, exclusively to Tellychakkar.

What brings you to Indian Idol 4?

I decided to be a part of Indian Idol 4 because it is not a time consuming assignment, the format is good and the channel is very co-operative. I share a good equation with ‘Miditech’ the production house. There is a comfort factor in working with ‘Miditech’. I took it up because I knew that the people with whom I will be associated in the show are wonderful.

Was it difficult breaking the ice with your fellow judges?

It did not take long to break the ice. I have worked with them in the past but I got to know them closely only after joining Indian Idol 4. It was nice getting to know each other. We are a chilled out bunch now.

Can you sing?

I wish I could sing but unfortunately I can’t sing to save my life.

What aspects will you be judging?

I am here to judge the X-factor. I don’t say that the contestants have to be good looking but he or she should have that X-factor.

It is not that I won’t be able to judge because I am not associated with music. Though I am not a singer, I have a taste in music. As a lay man, whenever I like a particular song, I buy a CD and listen to it. Likewise, I can determine whether a particular contestant is a good singer or a bad singer.

Were you asked to behave in a particular way in Indian Idol 4?

No. It is little difficult for someone to ask me to behave in a particular way as I don’t listen to people when I don’t want to listen. When I was offered this show, I was worried that I will be told to behave in a particular way. On my first day at work in Indian Idol 4, I was expecting a script but there wasn’t any script. I was disappointed as I am an actor and I am used to scripts. Jokes apart, the show is genuine and I enjoy it.

As a judge, you were required to visit a few remote places for the auditions. Did you go to all such places?

Going to certain places along with my son was difficult as he is too small, so I opted out from going to such places. I want to be with him most of the time and that is the reason why I am not working in films right now. He is my priority. But other judges have gone to every such place for the auditions.

Is it right to say that actresses opt for television when they are out of circulation?

I don’t know about others but I did television even when I was very much in circulation. I did my first reality show Kya Masti Kya Dhoom years ago. At that time, I was one of the first few actresses who ventured into television. It is nothing to do with circulation; it is to do with priorities and timings.

Will you give a break to talented contestants of Indian Idol 4 in your husband, Goldie’s films?

It is a damn good idea. The music director in Drona is also relatively new. We wouldn’t mind giving a break to new comers if they are really talented. It is all about the talent. Even I was new at one point of time and I am here because some one gave me a break. I believe that wherever there is talent, there is also a taker for it.

You have known both Raj Thackeray and Jaya Bachchan closely. Can you throw light on what happened recently at your film’s music release?

Jayaji is like a mother to me and I am not saying this because I am married to Goldie Behl who is like a son to her. I have worked with the Bachchans in ABCL years ago when I had no connection with Goldie. Even then, Jayaji used to be warm and affectionate towards me. Any one who knows Mrs. Bachchan would know that she is a wonderful person and she can never mean something like this.

This incident happened in front of me and I can say that it was not meant in a way that it is being construed to be. That day she reprimanded my husband for speaking in English. She asked him to speak in Hindi as it is a Hindi film. That is from where the whole language thing began.

Mr and Mrs. Bachchan have apologised and it is extremely humble of them to do that. To me, they are icons. I am too small a person to even talk about them. I would like to say that it was a very off –the- cuff remark.

One has always seen you with long beautiful locks. What made you cut your hair so short?

I really have no answer for this. By the way, is it looking bad?

I suddenly thought of going for a short hair cut. After the hair cut, I couldn’t recognise my own self. I am still not used to this short length. When I run my fingers down my hair, I get shocked to realise that all the length of my hair is gone.

Do you watch other reality shows on TV?

I don’t really watch any reality show on television. I took up Indian Idol 4 because I felt that it is real in the true sense.

Have you bid good bye to Bollywood forever?

I am not in a phase where I want to be on the sets. Films call for a lot of work and I am not ready for it. Indian Idol suits me best as I just have to give a day or two of a week to it. Doing films is not like any other job, it is a big commitment in terms of time.