After a long and popular career on the big screen, veteran actor Dharmendra [ Images ] turns at the age of 75 to make his debut on the small screen as one of the judges of the reality show India's [ Images ] Got Talent, triggering a wave of excitement among contestants and also fellow judges Sonali Bendre [ Images ] and Kirron Kher [ Images ].

The romantic hero of yesteryear has high expectations of his TV debut and says laughingly, "If the small screen made my younger brother Amitabh Bachchan [ Images ] 'Big B', then I will become 'Darling D'!"

He approves of the idea of a talent hunt. "A talent hunt made me who I am today so it's my turn to help contestants in pursuing their dreams. I feel there is so much of talent in our country which needs to be exploited. I see one Dharmendra in all the contestants on the show," he says.

Sonali is excited at Dharmendra's presence on the show and says he'll be an asset. "Dharmendraji is a fantastic person. His 50 years of experience is an asset to the show. I learn a lot from him and the experience helps me so much. My mother and mother-in-law are big fans of his.

"Earlier I used to know him as Dharam's grandfather because Dharam is Bobby's son, and my son plays with him. But, after this show, I understand why people love him so much; he is a wonderful human being."

About the show itself, Sonali says: "The talent every season only gets bigger and better. This season has raised the bar and we have seen some meaningful and breath-taking talent."

Actor Kirron Kher knows 'Dharamji' of old. "Dharamji is a genuine and honest person. I have worked with him in the film Apne and I know him personally. He is a pleasure to work with."

Meiyang Chang and Gautham Rode are the hosts for the show.

India's Got Talent will premiere on July 29 at 9 pm on Colors.

Photograph by: Pradeep Bandekar