In pictures: India's Got Talent (Hunar Hi Winner)

In the first auditions for India's Got Talent (Hunar Hi Winner), this group of children with special needs aged between four and 17 performed an acrobatic dance that brought tears to the eyes of the audience ... Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

… as well as at least one of the judges, the film director Shekhar Kapur, whose credits include Elizabeth Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

Among the more bizarre acts were a man who combed his armpits – well, we hope that isn't actually his armpit hair ... Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

… and a juggler who shocked the judges by putting knives in his mouth Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

There were performers from all corners of India, such as this painted dance troupe from Orissa... Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

... and this cross-dressing man from Ranchi, who faced ridicule in his home town Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

This man left a burning impression after setting his hat on fire Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

In India's Got Talent, there are five broad categories - singing and music, dance, novelty, comedy and mimicry, and magic, with a variety subcategory for people who have a unique talent Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

The show visited six cities across India for the auditions tour Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

The judges line up – Kapur (top) and the Bollywood actors Sonali Bendre (middle) and Kirron Kher (bottom) Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

Kapur, whose credits also include the Elizabeth sequel, The Golden Age, and Bandit Queen Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

Kher, who as well as acting is also a TV talkshow host Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

Bendre, who was also a judge on the fourth season of Indian Idol Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd

The India's Got Talent logo, which bears a striking similarity to the one for Britain's Got Talent, with the Hindi translation underneath – Hunar Hi Winner Photograph: COLORS Viacom 18 Media Pvt Ltd