Indian Idol Winners List & Where are they now: In 2004, Sony TV’s ‘Indian Idol’ changed the landscape of reality TV shows in India. The unique singing competition show provided a platform for young talented Indians to showcase their melodious voices to the world. The unique TV show started with leading Bollywood playback singers judging and dynamic hosts adding the fun element to it.
The Indian music industry has been blessed with some of the most beautiful voices that started with ‘Indian Idol’. Think of Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, and Monali Thakur. The show is always respected and appreciated for its fairness and appreciation for good talent.
Some of the Indian Idol winners from the last six seasons have found their place in the Indian music industry while some quit trying newer avenues. The show announces one winner who’s awarded a cash prize and a car. Here’s a quick round-up of the list of Indian Idol winners and what are they up to now.
1- Abhijeet Sawant (Season 1)
With his melancholic voice, Abhijeet Sawant became the first-ever winner of the ‘Indian Idol’ season 1. The show was judged by Anu Malik, Farah Khan, and Sonu Nigam.
He released his first album ‘Aap Ka Abhijeet’ followed by his second album ‘Junoon’. Both the albums were well-received by their fans. Abhijeet also tried his luck in the Bollywood industry with his film ‘Lottery’ which bombed at the Box Office. Abhijeet is currently planning to start his reality show but has no success yet.
2- Sandeep Acharya (Season 2)
The second season aired from November 2005 to April 2006. Sandeep Acharya bagged first place in the ‘Indian Idol 2’ along with a Rs 10 million contract with Sony BIG. Unfortunately, the actor lost his life to Jaundice in December 2013. He was 29 years old then.
3- Prashant Tamang (Season 3)
The third season of Indian Idol was hosted by four judges – Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, Alisha Chinayi, and Udit Narayan. The Indian-born Nepalese singer, Prashant Tamang won the third season of ‘Indian Idol’ season 3 in 2007.
As per his contract, Prashant produced his maiden album ‘Dhanyawaad’ featuring Hindi and Nepalese songs with Sony BMG. Prashant also toured around the USA for his concerts. Prashant has done three films so far, called Gorkha, Paltan, Angalo Yo Maya Ko, and Kina Maya Ma, and producing songs for the North-Eastern music industry.
4- Sourabhee Debbarma (Season 4)
Season four of ‘Indian Idol’ aired in September 2008. Hailing from Tripura in North-East India, Sourabhee Debbarma became the first-ever female winner of the Indian Idol. She also happens to hold a Guinness World Record of singing a song hanging upside down. She is a singer, entertainer, and performer who continues to tour around India, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Durban, Kuwait, Bangladesh, and London.
5- Sreerama Chandra Mynampati (Season 5)
In the list of Indian Idol winners, Sreeramchandra Mynampati became the first-ever South Indian. The melodious singer ditched his singing career for a chance in the Telugu film industry. He made his acting debut with Prema Geema Jantha Nai, produced by Dadi Bala Bhaskar and Maddala Bhaskar and directed by Subbu.
He happens to be the only singer from Asia to have a song from his album Rehnuma featured in a Hollywood film, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
6- Vipul Mehta (Season 6)
Vipul Mehta bagged a cash prize of Rs 50 Lakh, A Nissan Micra car, Suzuki Hayate Bike, and a music album contract with Sony BMG.
The trained classical singer won the title of ‘Indian Idol’ in season 6 that aired in 2012. He also released his debut album Hello Namaste Sat Sri Akal, but it didn’t do very well. He has lent his voice for Punjabi songs but nothing too mainstream. The singer is still struggling to find a decent place in the playback singing industry in Mumbai.
7- L.V. Revanth (Season 9)
The Season 9 of ‘Indian Idol’ aired after a long wait of 4 years. L.V. has proved his mettle in the music industry by singing over 200 songs in Telugu and Kannada films. He also won Rock Star, Spicy Singer on Maa TV, and Superstar of the South.
Lolla Venkat also received the IIFA Utsavam and MAA Music Award nominations for the Best Male Playback Singer. L.V. has participated in over 11 reality TV shows. Interestingly, he won most of them.
8- Salman Ali (Season 10)
Season 11 of Indian Idol was judged by ace singer Neha Kakkar, Salman Ali won the ‘Indian Idol’ Season 10 with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, a Dustan car, and a trophy. With his excellent voice and singing prowess, Salman Ali also became the Second Runner Up in ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’.
Salman also lent his voice in the Television show ‘Chandragupta Maurya’. Hailing from Haryana, Salman has the nation hooked to his beautiful voice that once graced the stage of ‘Indian Idol’ season 10.
9- Sunny Hindustani (Season 11)
The guy who once used to do shoe shining in the street of Punjab, came from a very poor family, won millions of hearts by his soothing and soulful voice in the popular singing show Indian Idol 12, made his debut as a playback singer in the film ‘The Body’.
He does music concerts, also in limelight for foreigner girlfriend. Many music experts say his voice resembles veteran Qawwali singer late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, he sang NFAK’s songs in the competition.
10- Pawandeep Rajan (Season 12)
Uttarakhand’s Champawat district 24-year-old guy Pawandeep bagged the trophy of ‘Indian Ideal season 12 ‘while his rumored love interest Arunita Kajilal and one more Sayali Kamble declared runners-up in the season.
Before winning Indian Idol 2021, he has already won the singing show ‘The voice India’ five years back where Himesh Reshammiya was one of the judges. After winning the show ‘Indian Idol 12’, he said he was not feeling great because every one of them deserves this.
Indian Idol is the biggest singing show of India where contestants across the country participate in this reality singing show. Comment below in the Indian Idol Winners List for your favorite among them.
