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Entertainment • Reality television

Indian Idol (season 16)

Indian Idol season 16 is the sixteenth season of the Indian Hindi-language singing reality series Indian Idol.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Indian Idol season 16 is the sixteenth season of the Indian Hindi-language singing reality series Indian Idol. It premiered in 2025 on Sony LIV and Sony Entertainment Television with the theme 'Yaadon Ki Playlist.' The judging panel included Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Badshah, with Aditya Narayan and Udit Narayan as hosts.

Format and premise

Indian Idol season 16 continued the franchise’s singing competition format, in which contestants perform before judges and advance through eliminations. Sony LIV billed the season around the memory-themed concept 'Yaadon Ki Playlist.'

Production and hosting

Sony LIV stated that the season featured outdoor auditions across India for the first time in the show’s history. The listed hosts were Aditya Narayan and Udit Narayan, with Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Badshah serving as judges.

Broadcast and streaming

The season aired on Sony Entertainment Television and was available for streaming on Sony LIV. JustWatch listed it as available on Sony LIV with ads.

Reception and episodes

Sony LIV listed the season as having 80 episodes. Episode-level listings and clips indicate an extended run into 2026, though the provided sources do not establish a final winner or complete broadcast chronology.

Key facts

  • The season is the sixteenth installment of Indian Idol, the Indian version of the Pop Idol format.
  • Sony LIV describes the season as celebrating songs that evoke memories and emotions.
  • Auditions for the season were held outdoors across India for the first time, according to Sony LIV.
  • The judging panel consisted of Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Badshah.
  • Aditya Narayan returned as the main host, while Udit Narayan also hosted parts of the season.
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Canadian context

Indian Idol season 16 is relevant to Canadian viewers as part of Indian television and Hindi-language entertainment available through international streaming platforms; it may also interest Canada’s South Asian diaspora.

Frequently asked questions

What is Indian Idol season 16?
It is the sixteenth season of the Indian singing reality series Indian Idol, featuring contestants performing for judges and viewers.
What was the theme of season 16?
Sony LIV described the theme as 'Yaadon Ki Playlist,' centered on songs connected to memories and emotions.
Who were the judges?
The judges were Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Badshah.
Who hosted the season?
Sony LIV listed Aditya Narayan as the main host and Udit Narayan among the hosts.
Where could viewers watch it?
Sony LIV listed the season on its platform, and JustWatch noted it was available there with ads.
How many episodes were listed?
Sony LIV listed 80 episodes for the season.

References

  1. JustWatch — https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/indian-idol/season-16
    Supports: Streaming availability on Sony LIV with ads.
  2. Sony LIV — https://www.sonyliv.com/shows/indian-idol-1700001014/season/16
    Supports: Season title, theme, judges, hosts, language, genre, episode count, and outdoor auditions description.
  3. Plex — https://watch.plex.tv/show/indian-idol/season/16
    Supports: Indian Idol as the Hindi-language version of the Pop Idol format and long-running series context.
  4. Dailymotion — https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9yfs5a
    Supports: Episode-level presence for Indian Idol season 16 in 2026.
  5. Dailymotion — https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xale2he
    Supports: Episode-level presence for Indian Idol season 16 in July 2026.
  6. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INcjSjhiU4M
    Supports: Episode clip and season description repeating the theme and host/judge lineup.