The sixteenth season of Indian Idol premiered on 18 October 2025, on Sony Entertainment Television. Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani and Badshah returned from season 15 as judges. This season went on to become the longest-running season in the show’s history. The theme of this season was "Yaadon Ki Playlist" (Playlist of Memories). Indian Idol Season 16 Grand Finale has arrived on the 25th and 26th of July this year in 2026.
This was the longest running season of Indian Idol.
Audition Remote auditions took place from 26 July to 24 August 2025, as well as a number of open-call auditions, and from these, the producers selected the contestants who were then invited to audition in front of the judges. +Indian Idol (season 16) – regional auditionsCityAudition dateVenueKolkata, West Bengal26 July 2025SPK Jain Futuristic Institute, New TownNew Delhi17 August 2025Central Academy School, Sector 10, DwarkaMumbai, Maharashtra24 August 2025Pawar Public School
Theatre round The Theatre round featured the top 25 golden ticket holder contestants performing for the judges. This round was filmed on X, at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium, and aired on 1 and 2 November 2025. The judges then narrowed the number of contestants down to 16, including the platinum mic holders.
The contestants performed in batches, as picked by the judges according to genre.
The following is a list of the contestants and the song they performed. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
Color key:
+ Day 1–1 November 2025OrderContestantBatchSong Result 1Ankita Pradhan1"Aao Na Gale Laga Lo Na"Top 16 2Amritha Rajan2 "Kay Sera Sera"Top 163Banashree Biswas3 "Ab Ke Sajan Sawaan Mein"Top 16 4Shreenidhi Shastry"Ay Hairathe"Top 16 5Arfin Rana "Jaane Kya Jaane Mann"Top 166Tabish Ali4"Tumhe Dillagi Bhul Jani Padegi"Eliminated 7Manav"Mast Kalandar"Top 168Lakshya Mehta5"Bheege Hont Tere"Eliminated9Premika Jain6Tumhe Jo Maine DekhaEliminated10Kalyan SahayYeh Dil Tum Bin Kahin Lagta NahiEliminated11Anurag BhattacharyaMegha Re Megha ReEliminated+Day 2–2 November 2025OrderContestantBatchSongResult1Sugandha Date7"Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam"Top 162Aaroh Shankar8"Kaun Hai Jo Sapnon Mein Aaya"Eliminated3Dharmesh Nayat9"Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin"Eliminated4Abhijit Sharma10"Tumne Mujhe Dekha Hokar Meherban"Top 165Shreya Verma"Ni Mein Samajh Gayi"Top 166Suhail11"Ye Tune Kya Kiya"Top 167Tanishk Shukla12"Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho" Top 168Jyotirmayee Nayak13"Saiyan Pakad Baiyan"Top 169Vishal Mattu14"Ilahi"Eliminated10Jayanti Dutta"Bahut Pyar Karte Hain"Eliminated11Sankalp Yaduwanshi15"Ae Dil Hai Mushkil"Eliminated12Vishwanath HaveriNot telecastEliminated13Aakarshit Wadhwan14Hrishikesh Karmarkar
Top 18 contestants The contestant who made past the theatre round or got the platinum mic in the auditions, are listed below as follows:
Myscmme Bosu and Chaitanya Devadhe were wildcard entrants.
Position Contestant Status 1 Jyotirmayee Nayak Winner 2 Tanishk Shukla1st Runner-Up 3 Manraj Veer Singh2nd Runner-Up 4 Suhail3rd Runner-Up 5Anshika Chonkar4th Runner-Up6 Myscmme BosuEliminated 7 Chaitanya Devadhe (Mauli)Eliminated 8 Abhishek KumarEliminated 9 Ankita Mahua GiriEliminated Diwakar Choubey 11 Amritha RajanEliminated 12 Shreenidhi ShastryEliminated 13 Sugandha DateEliminated 14 Shreya VermaEliminated 15 Abhijeet SharmaEliminated 16 Banashree BiswasEliminated 17 ManavEliminated 18 Arfin RanaEliminated
Gala rounds After the theater round, every week all the contestants performing in the gala and are eliminated on a weekly basis.
The gala rounds were filmed at the Yash Raj Studios.
Colour Key:
Gala 1: Top 16 – Premiere Party There was no public voting this week and the performance did not count in the competition. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 16 (8–9 November) ContestantPerformed onSong Arfin RanaNight 1"Ek Sanam Chahiye Aashiqui Ke Liye" Anshika Chonkar"Rangeela Re" Manraj Veer Singh"Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane" Diwakar Choubey"Chaiyya Chaiyya" Abhishek Kumar"Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil"Shreya Verma"Taare Hain Baraati"Abhijit Sharma"Yeh Dil Deewana"Sugandha Date"Morni Baga Ma Bole" Jyotirmayee Nayak Night 2"Aisi Deewangi"Amritha Rajan"Kehna Hi Kya"Manav"Ishq Di Galli Vich Dolna"Tanishk Shukla"Deewana Tera" Shreenidhi Shastry"Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein" Suhail"Mera Piya Ghar Aaya O Ramji" Ankita Pradhan"Too Shayar Hai Main Teri Shayari" Banashree Biswas"Pardesi Pardesi Jaana Nahin"
Gala 2: Top 16 – Two Themes special This week was divided into two themes. This week was the first public voting week of the season. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 16 (15–16 November) ContestantPerformed onSongArfin RanaNight 1"Mere Naam Tu"Manraj Veer Singh"Zara Sa" and "Khuda Jaane" (With Shilpa Rao) Anshika Chonkar"Desi Girl"Diwakar Choubey"Tere Mast Mast Do Nain"Banashree Biswas"Tujhe Yaad Na Meri Aayee"Suhail"Mere Rashke Kamar" Ankita Pradhan"Aaj Ki Raat"Shreya Verma"Darling" Jyotirmayee Nayak "Moh Moh Ke Dhaage" Shreenidhi ShastryNight 2"Lakshya"Abhijit Sharma"Señorita" Tanishk Shukla"Tanhayee" Sugandha Date"Sajna Ji Vaari Vaari" Amritha Rajan"Tum Ho Toh" and "Socha Hai" Abhishek Kumar"O Rangrez"Manav"Slow Motion Angreza"
Gala 3: Top 16 – Two Themes special This week was the first judges' score week and the first elimination took place on basis of last week's votes and this week's scores. This week also was divided into two themes. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 16 (22-23 November) ContestantPerformed OnSongResult (Gala 1+2+3) Arfin RanaNight 1"Is Tarah Aashiqui Ka" Eliminated Abhijit Sharma"Shehar Ki Ladki"Safe Jyotirmayee Nayak "Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare"Bottom four Manav"Jeeta Hoon Jiske Liye"Safe Manraj Veer Singh"Chalo Ishq Ladaaye"Safe Amritha Rajan"Hungama Ho Gaya"Safe Ankita Pradhan"Kabhi Tu Chhalia Lagta Hai"Safe Abhishek Kumar"Naina"Safe Tanishk ShuklaNight 2 "Jhanjharia"Bottom four Sugandha Date"Main Albeli"SafeAnshika Chonkar"What Is Mobile Number" and "Husn Hai Suhana"SafeSuhail"Kitna Pyaare Tujhe Rabne Banaya"Safe Diwakar Choubey"Main Toh Raste Se Ja Raha Tha"Safe Shreya Verma"Sona Kitna Sona Hai"Safe Banashree Biswas "Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein"Bottom four Shreenidhi Shastry"Phoolon Sa Chehra Tera"Safe
Gala 4: Top 15 – Two Themes special
This week was the second public voting week of the season. Contestants are listed in the order they performed. +Top 15 (29–30 November) ContestantPerformed onSong Sugandha DateNight 1"Chunari Chunari" Abhijit Sharma"Suno Na Suno Na" Tanishk Shukla"Ole Ole" Anshika Chonkar"Dhoom Taana"Shreya Verma"Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main"Amritha Rajan"Raat Ka Nasha"Diwakar Choubey"Main Khiladi Tu Anari"Shreenidhi ShastryNight 2"Mere Rang Mein"Ankita Pradhan"Saat Samundar" Manraj Veer Singh"Pehla Nasha" Suhail"Chaap Tilak"Jyotimayee Nayak"Dil Deewana" Abhishek Kumar "Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaoon"Banashree Biswas"Waada Raha Sanam" Manav"Oopar Khuda Neeche Aasman"
Gala 5: Top 15 – Two Themes special This week was the second judges' score week and the second elimination took place on basis of last week's votes and this week's scores. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 15 (6–7 December) ContestantPerformed onSongResult (Gala 4+5)Banashree BiswasNight 1"Maar Diya Jaaye and Parde Mein Rehne Do"Bottom three Abhijit Sharma"Dream Girl and Na Jaa"Bottom threeJyotirmayee Nayak "Mein Tere Ishq Mein and Khathuba"Safe Ankita Pradhan"Rahe Na Rahe Hum and Jab Tak Hai Jaan"SafeAbhishek Kumar"Yeh Dil Tum Bin and Rafta Rafta"SafeAmritha Rajan"Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha and Bangle Ke Peeche"SafeManav"Bagon Ke Har Phool"EliminatedSugandha DateNight 2"Piya Tu Ab To Aaja"SafeSuhail"Aaya Tere Dar Par Deewana"SafeDiwakar Choubey"Afghan Jalebi"SafeManraj Veer Singh"Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai"SafeAnshika Chonkar"Na Jaane Koi Kaisi Hai Yeh Zindagaani"SafeTanishk Shukla"Aaj Mausam Bada Beimaan Hai"SafeShreenidhi Shastry"Chanda Re Chanda Re Kabhi Toh Zameen Par"SafeShreya Verma"Billo Rani"Safe
Gala 6: Top 14 – Super Hit Jodi
This week was the third public voting week of the season. Contestants are listed in the order they performed. +Top 14 (13–14 December) ContestantPerformed onSong Ankita Pradhan, Abhishek KumarNight 1"Rim Jhim Rim Jhim" Shreya Verma, Suhail"Sajdaa" Jyotirmayee Nayak, Shreenidhi Shastry"Bole Chudiyan" Amritha Rajan, Tanishk Shukla"Bin Tere Sanam" Manraj Veer Singh, Diwakar Choubey"Mujhse Shaadi Karogi", "Do You Wanna Partner" Anshika Chonkar, Diwakar Choubey"Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" Shreya Verma, Abhijeet Sharma"Tamma Tamma", "Chumma Chumma" Banashree Biswas, SuhailNight 2"Ladki Badi Anjaani" Sugandha Date, Shreenidhi Shastry"Woh Ladki Hai Kahan" Anshika Chonkar, Manraj Veer Singh"Koi Mil Gaya", "Koi Mil Gaya" Amritha Rajan, Ankita Pradhan"Dola Re Dola" Jyotirmayee Nayak, Tanishk Shukla"Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai" Sugandha Date, Abhishek Kumar"Chaand Chupa Badal Mein" Banashree Biswas, Abhijeet Sharma"Dil To Pagal Hai"
Gala 7: Top 14 – Celebrating The Lady Dons This week was the third judges's score week and the third elimination took place on basis of last week's votes and this week's scores. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 14 (20–21 December) ContestantPerformed onSongResult (Gala 6+7)Banashree BiswasNight 1"Panna Ki Tamanna"EliminatedAbhishek Kumar"Ke Pag Ghungroo"SafeJyotirmayee Nayak "Aap Jaisa Koi and Laila O Laila"SafeAmritha Rajan"Ye Mera Dil Yaar Ka Deewana"SafeShreenidhi Shastry"Meri Sohni Meri Tamanna"SafeTanishk Shukla"O Meri Mehbooba" and "Janu Meri Jaan" (on request)SafeSugandha Date"Aa Jaane Jaan and Aaj Ki Raat Koi Aane Ko" SafeAbhijeet SharmaNight 2"Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se"Bottom threeAnshika Chonkar"Dum Maro Dum and Bhool Bhulaiyaa"SafeManraj Veer Singh"Apni to Jaise Taise"Bottom threeShreya Verma"Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu and O Haseena Zulfon Wali"SafeDiwakar Choubey"Mehbooba O Mehbooba"SafeAnkita Pradhan"Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko and Karle Pyaar Karle"SafeSuhail"Der Na Ho Jaye Kahin"Safe
Gala 8: Top 13 - An Evening of Melody This week was the fourth public voting week of the season. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 13 (27–28 December) ContestantPerformed onSongJyotirmayee Nayak Night 1"Ek Do Teen"Amritha Rajan"Aaj Ki Raat Maza Husn Ka"Shreenidhi Shastry"Jhoom Barabar Jhoom"Abhishek Kumar"Om Shanti Om"Shreya Verma"Main Aayi Hoon U.P. Bihar Lootne"Suhail"Dangal"Ankita Pradhan"Gali Gali Mein Phirta Hai and Hari Om Hari"Abhijeet SharmaNight 2"Bachna Ae Haseeno and Na Na Na Na Re"Manraj Veer Singh"Badtameez Dil and Ho Jayegi Balle Balle"Sugandha Date"Raat Baki and Rambha Ho Ho Ho" Diwakar Choubey"Jiya Tu"Tanishk Shukla"Badan Pe Sitaare"Anshika Chonkar"Jaan-E-Jaan, O Meri Jaan-E-Jaan, Nisha Nisha Nisha"
Gala 9: Top 13 – New Year Celebrations This week was the fourth public voting week of the season. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
+Top 13 (3–4 January) ContestantPerformed onSongAbhijeet SharmaNight 1"Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun"Manraj Veer Singh"Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka"Jyotirmayee Nayak "Sohni Meri Sohni (Rab Mujhe Maaf Kare)"Shreenidhi Shastry"Chhod Aaye Hum"Anshika Chonkar"Tu Tu Hai Wahi (Yeh Vaada Raha)"Sugandha Date"Yeh Galiyan Yeh Chaubara" Ankita Pradhan"Puchho Na Yaar Kya Hua"Abhishek KumarNight 2"Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le"Suhail"Chappa Chappa"Shreya Verma"Zindagi Pyar Ka Geet Hai"Diwakar Choubey"Meri Kismat Mein Tu Nahi Shayad and Sapne Mein Milti Hai"Tanishk Shukla"O Priya Priya"Amritha Rajan"Gapoochi Gapoochi Gam Gam"
Gala 10: Top 13 – Filmy And Fabulous This week was the fifth public voting week of the season. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.