Indian Idol that airs on Sony Entertainment Television has had a successful run for about nine seasons. It has brought out singing talents from multiple parts of India. A number of talented singers can claim to call the stage of Indian Idol as the turning point in their lives. The judges, the audition chairs, the hosts, all seem to have changed and in the same manner these contestants grew leaps and bounds through the show. Here’s a few who transformed completely after the show.
1. ABHIJEET SAWANT
The winner of season 1, Abhijeet Sawant, went on to release his first album, Aapka…Abhijeet Sawant. He placed third in Asian Idol, representing India. He also released a successful second album, Junoon, and contributed to the film Aashiq Banaya Aapne. He seems to have chnaged entirely from his former days.
2. RAHUL VAIDYA
Being the second runner-up of the same season, he contributed to the soundtrack of the film Shaadi No. 1 and was also the part of the winning team, “Shankar’s Rockstars”, in the musical game show Music Ka Maha Muqqabla. He later became the winner of the reality singing show Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar on the same channel, whereas Abhijeet Sawant was the first runner-up in the same show
3. ANTARA MITRA
Antara Mitra, a regular favourite of Anu Malik, received many playback offers and released a remixed version of “Yeh ishq hai” from Jab We Met, composed by Pritam. She was also a contestant of the music show Junoon and also is recording her solo album. One of her songs was featured in the film Raajneeti. She also gained acclaim in recent years as one of the singers of the song “Gerua” from the movie Dilwale.
4.SREERAMA CHANDRA MYNAMPATI
The winner of Indian Idol 5 was Sreeramchandra Mynampati from Hyderabad, 1st south Indian to win the title. The fifth season was judged on Anu Malik, along with two new judges: Salim Merchant and Sunidhi Chauhan. Sreeram Chandra had already made his debut in the Telugu movie industry. He also sang a song with Shreya Ghoshal for Salim Suleman Merchant during the course of the season.
5. BHAVYA PANDIT
Bhavya Pandit, received an offer to sing the song “Aaja Lehraate” for the film What’s Your Raashee, alongside singer Gautam Mrinaal. She also went on to sing “Rani Main Tu Raja” from the movie Son Of Sardaar. The song became a hit and Pandit received appreciation from the audience. She also is an avid reader and claims to own more than a thousand books.
6. MEIYANG CHANG
Meiyang Chang was placed fifth in this season, hosted the IPL 2009 and also received an offer to act in Badmaash Company, directed by Parmeet Sethi which is the role he is most remembered for. He hosted the fourth season of Indian Idol with Hussain Kuwajerwala. He also won the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa.
7.MONALI THAKUR
sang the song “Zara Zara Touch Me” in the film Race as well as the song “Sexy Lady” (Khaab Dekhe Jhoote Moote). Music director Pritam offered her another chance in the film Golmaal Returns with a song titled “Meow”, picturised on Kareena Kapoor. She also has sung in Bengali. She has also sung the song “Sawaar Loon” from the film Lootera,”cham cham” from the film Baaghi. Thakur also appeared as a judge on the Indian version of the TV show Rising Star. She has also won 5 playback singer awards and 18 nominations to her credit.
8. NEHA KAKKAR
“Tu Ghanti Big Ben Di, Poora London Thumakda”! From sentimental songs like ‘Hanju’ to party songs like ‘Manali Trance’, Neha Kakkar has ruled almost every heart. She started her career as a contestant on Indian Idol Season 2 and has had a string of hits in the years 2016-18.
9. BHOOMI TRIVEDI
Bhoomi Trivedi is known for her Bollywood song “Ram Chahe Leela” from Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela (2013), which resulted in several awards and nominations. She was a contestant on Indian Idol Season 4.
10. ARPITA KHAN
Arpita Khan, a contestant from Kolkata is a sensational singer of Indian Idol – 5. She has pursued Sanskrit Honors Student and is learning music from the very young age of 5 from her guru Jayanto Sarkar and Anu Shila Bose.
She participated in many reality shows and has done playback singing for some Bengali movies. The gentle throw of her voice makes her stand apart and highly receptive to ears.
11. N.C. KARUNYA
The first runner-up of the second season of this show, N. C. Karunya from Hyderabad, released a solo album titled Aapka Karunya. His song “Aane Chaar Aane” appeared in the film Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
12.AMEY DATE
Amey Date was a contestant in the musical game show Music Ka Maha Muqqabla and also participated in the reality singing show Jo Jeeta Wohi Superstar. Date also participated in Rising Star and finished fifth.
13. NAKASH AZIZ
‘Gandi baat’ (R… Rajkumar; 2013), ‘Selfie le le re’ (Bajrangi Bhaijaan; 2015) and ‘Jabra fan’ (Fan) are his most acclaimed songs. Nakash participated in Indian Idol 2 in 2005. After struggling initially, he assisted AR Rahman on movies such as Rockstar (2011) and Highway (2014). “I worked hard to get into B-Town. The process can be depressing, but what matters is the result,” he says. He has been receiving lucrative playback offers of late.