The fifteenth season of Indian Idol premiered in late 2024, on Sony Entertainment Television. After being replaced for a year, Aditya Narayan returned as host, while Shreya Ghoshal and Vishal Dadlani returned as judges, along with Badshah replacing Kumar Sanu.
The grand finale aired on 5 and 6 April 2025, with Manasi Ghosh declared as the winner, Subhajit Chakraborty became the runner-up and Sneha Shankar being at the third place. The cheques of ₹25,00,000 and ₹5,00,000 to the winner and both runners-up respectively. Along with that, the winner received Suzuki Dzire from Maruti Suzuki and the coveted trophy.
The fourth places finishers, Priyangshu Dutta and Chaitanya Devadhe Mauli also received a cheque of ₹3,00,000 each.
Auditions Remote auditions took place from 18 August to 31 August 2024, 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 15) – regional auditionsCityAudition DateVenueKolkata, West Bengal18 August 2024P.B. Academic SchoolGuwahati, Assam20 August 2024Nerim Group of InstitutionsNoida, Uttar Pradesh25 August 2024JBM Global SchoolMumbai, Maharashtra31 August 2024Pawar Public SchoolTo mark 20 years of Indian Idol, the platinum mic was introduced that guarantees the contestant a position in Top 15. Each judge could give only 1 platinum mic. The platinum mics were given to Srijan Porail, Mayuri Saha and Sneha Shankar by Dadlani, Ghoshal and Badshah respectively. Golden tickets were continued, and were given 31 in total, but the golden mic was discontinued.
Also, during the judges' audition, the traditional "sticker" of contestant's serial number was replaced with a new "identity card" as shown in the promo. This season the judges were also given headphones to hear the raw voice of singers, without any instruments and processing.
Theatre round The Theatre round featured the top 31 golden ticket holder contestants performing for the judges. This round was filmed on X, at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium, and aired on 9 and 10 November 2024. The judges then narrowed the number of contestants down to 15, including the platinum mic holders.
This year the contestants performed in batches, as picked by the judges according to genre.
Neeti Mohan served as the guest judge and mentor in absence of Badshah, and Pawandeep Rajan and Mohd. Danish served as guest hosts in absence of Aditya Narayan.
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 (9 November)ContestantBatch No.SongResultShuja Gowhar1"Kurbaan Hua"ElimimatedLakshya Mehta "Bekhayali"EliminatedSubhajit Chakraborty2"Surili Akhiyon Wale" & "Majhi Re"SafeRadha Shrivastava "Main Aayi Hoon U.P. Bihar Lootne"EliminatedChaitanya Devade"Khel Mandala" & "Malhari"SafeSaloni Saaz3"Mere Maula Karam Ho Karam"EliminatedRanjini Sen Gupta4"Achha Ji Main Haari Chalo"SafeNeha Dixit"Bahon Mein Chale Aao"EliminatedJyotiprakash Ojha5"Albela Sajan Aayo Re"SafeRitika Raj6"Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamarao"SafePrativa Dutta"Agar Tum Sath Ho"Eliminated Ipsit Pati7"Janam Janam"SafeVastav Kumar 8"Oopar Khuda Aasman Neeche"SafeMansi Sisodiya "Sajdaa"Eliminated+ Day 2 (10 November)ContestantBatch No.SongResultBiswarup Banerjee1"Satrangi Re"Safe Priyangshu Dutta"Tadap Tadap"SafeAyushman Chaudhary2"Satranga"ElimimatedSudhanshu Khare"Sajni Re"EliminatedMyscmme Bosu3"Silsila Ye Chahat Diya"SafeManasi Ghosh"Aa Zara"SafeDilraj Singh4"Main Nikla Gaddi Leke"ElimimatedHaarshita Medhi5"Daiya Yeh Main Kaha Phasi"ElimimatedRagini Shinde"Bada Dukh Dina O Ramji"SafePoushali Bhattacharya 6"Jawani Janeman"ElimimatedInayat Bajaj Kaur"Girls Like To Swing"EliminatedAnirudh Suswaram7"Soona Soona"SafeVishnumaya Ramesh8"Kehna Hi Kya"EliminatedKritwika Chakraborty"Pyar Hua Chupke Se"EliminatedTajinder Singh9"Vida Karo"EliminatedManav HeeraNot TelecastedEliminatedAbid Khan LangaElimimated
Top 16 contestants The contestant who made past the theater round or got the platinum mic in the auditions, are listed below as follows: Contestant StatusManasi GhoshWinner Subhajit ChakrabortyRunner-up Sneha Shankar Third place Chaitanya Devadhe (Mauli)Fourth places Priyangshu DuttaAnirudh SuswaramSixth placeMyscmme BosuEliminated Ragini Shinde Eliminated Biswarup BanerjeeEliminatedRitika RajEliminated Mayuri SahaEliminatedRanjini Sen GuptaEliminatedSrijan PorailEliminatedJyotiprakash OjhaEliminatedVastav KumarEliminated Ipsit PatiEliminated
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 P3 Infotech Film Studio.
Colour Key:
Gala 1 : Top 16 – The Grand Musical Explosion Special guests: Usha Mangeshkar, Sanjeev Kapoor, Manoj Tiwari, Asees Kaur, Goldie Sohel, Bhagyashree, Arjun Kanungo, Divyansh Kacholia, Sanjay B Jumani, Kunal Ganjawala
Ragini Shinde, who was eliminated in the theatre round, when Badhshah was absent, joined as wild card contestant in Gala 1, on request of Badshah, to make it Top 16.
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 (16–17 November) Contestant SongMayuri Saha"Ami Je Tomar 3.0"Srijan Porail"O Meri Jaan"Ritika Raj"Cham Cham Nachdi Phiran"Vastav Kumar"Afreen Afreen"Ranjini Sen Gupta"O Meri Maina, Tu Maan Le Mera Kehna"Myscmme Bosu"Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum"Anirudh Suswaram"Srivalli" and "Dil Se"Ipsit Pati"Bachna Ae Haseeno"Manasi Ghosh"Gun Gun Guna"Priyangshu Dutta"Kalank - Title Track"Chaitanya Devadhe"Ramta Jogi" and "Jhingat"Sneha Shankar"Yaad Piya Ki Aaye"Ragini Shinde"Tumko Piya Dil Diya" and "Main Chali Main Chali"Subhajit Chakraborty"Maya Lagaise" and "Jag Ghoomeya"Biswarup Banerjee"Saathiya"Jyotiprakash Ojha"Laga Chunari Me Daag"
Gala 2 : Top 16 – Two Themes special This week was divided into two themes, dedicated to directors Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt who were the special guests and guest mentor for respective nights. The contestants performed on the songs which were in the films directed by them, in the two nights respectively, and this week was the first public voting week of the season.
Shreya Ghoshal was absent this week, due to her live show tour.
+Top 16 (23–24 November) ContestantPerformed on SongManasi GhoshNight 1 – An Evening with Subhash Ghai"Yeh Dil Deewana"Jyotiprakash Ojha "One Two Ka Four"Myscmme Bosu"Kahin Aag Lage" and "Taal Se Taal"Ragini Shinde"Koi Rok Sake To Rok Le"Ranjini Sen Gupta"Kitni Baatein"Ritika Raj"Lambi Judai"Vastav Kumar"Wo Kisna Hai"Ipsit Pati"Ek Haseena Thi"Subhajit ChakrabortyNight 2 – A Night of Nostalgia with Mahesh Bhatt"Saanson Ki Jarurat Hai Jaise" and "Je Jon Premer Vab Jane Na"Priyangshu Dutta"Khamoshiyan"Biswarup Banerjee"Bepanah" and "Chale Aaye" Chaitanya Devadhe"Mann Ki Lagan"Mayuri Saha"Gali Mein Aaj Chaand Nikala" and "Ghunghat Ki Aad Se Dilbar Ka"Srijan Porail"Dil Ibaadat"Sneha Shankar"Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho"Anirudh Suswaram"Tum Mile" and "Roop Suhana Lagta Hai"
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.
The special guests for first night were Fardeen Khan, his sister Laila Khan Furniturewala and Zeenat Aman celebrating Feroz Khan, and Nana Patekar for the second night. All the contestants performed on the songs of Feroz Khan on the first night. Vishal Dadlani was absent for this week.
The director of the movie Vanvaas, Anil Sharma, and lead cast, Utkarsh Sharma and Simrat Kaur joined for a while to promote the said film.
Contestants are listed in the order they performed. +Top 16 (30 November–1 December) ContestantPerformed on SongResult (Gala 2+3)Subhajit ChakrabortyNight 1 – Fearless Feroz"Tere Chehre Men Woh Jadoo Hai"SafeChaitanya Devadhe"Kambakkht Ishq"SafeManasi Ghosh"Dum Maro Dum"SafeMayuri Saha"Do Lafzon Ki Hai"SafeRanjini Sen Gupta"Aap Jaisa Koi" and "Laila O Laila"SafeRagini Shinde"Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko"SafeJyotiprakash Ojha"Hum Tumhen Chahte Hain" and "Aakhir Tumhe Aana Hai"Bottom threeBiswarup Banerjee"Do Pyar Karne Wale" and "Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wohi Baat Karenge"SafePriyangshu DuttaNight 2 – Bebak Nana"Naina"SafeRitika Raj Singh"Bindiya Chamkegi" and "Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar"SafeSrijan Porail"Roop Tera Mastana"SafeMyscmme Bosu"Yeh Dil Sun Raha Hai"SafeVastav Kumar"Aahun Aahun"SafeSneha Shankar"Yeh Dil Tum Bin"SafeIpsit Pati"Kesariya" EliminatedAnirudh Suswaram"Bahon Ke Darmiyan"Bottom three
Gala 4: Top 15 – Two Themes special To celebrate a year of the movie Animal, its director Sandeep Reddy Vanga joined as a special guest on the first night. And the second night was dedicated to celebrate Vishal Mishra's birthday. He himself joined the night and served as guest mentor. Also, for Vastav's performance, Bhupinder Babbal joined the sets. This week was the second public voting week of the season.
Contestants are listed in the order they performed. Sneha was performer of the week.
+Top 15 (7-8 December) ContestantPerformed on SongRitika Raj SinghNight 1 – Celebrating 1 Year Of Animal"Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage"Ragini Shinde"Aaja Aai Bahar"Myscmme Bosu"Satranga"Subhajit Chakraborty"O Mere Dil Ke Chain"Anirudh Suswaram"Hua Main"Vastav Kumar"Arjan Vailly"Biswarup Banerjee"Deewana Tera"Mayuri Saha"Hawa Hawaii"Chaitanya Devadhe Night 2- Happy Birthday Vishal"Aj mera Jee Karda"Manasi Ghosh"Tu pehla pehla pyaar hai mera"Ranjini Sen Gupta"Jhoomroo"Jyotiprakash Ojha"Mitwaa"Priyangshu Dutta"Kaise Hua"Srijan Porail"Pehle Bhi Main"Sneha Shankar"Chal Tere Ishq Mein"
Gala 5: Top 15 – Celebrating 100 Years of Raj Kapoor
Both nights of this week were dedicated to celebrate Raj Kapoor's 100th birth anniversary. Karisma Kapoor, Padmini Kolhapure and Anees Bazmee joined as special guests for the week.
Contestants are listed in the order in which they performed.
+Top 15 (14-15 December) ContestantPerformed on SongResult (Gala 4+5)Manasi GhoshNight 1"Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh"SafeRanjini Sen Gupta"Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe"SafeMyscmme Bosu"Ek Radha Ek Meera"SafeBiswarup Banerjee"Dost Dost Na Raha Pyaar Pyaar Na Raha"SafeSubhajit Chakraborty"Jane Kaha Gaye woh Din"SafeChaitanya Devadhe"Mera Joota Hai Japani" SafeMayuri Saha"Sun Saiba Sun"SafeVastav Kumar"Ek Din bik jaayega" EliminatedRitika Raj SinghNight 2Yeh Galliyan Yeh ChaubaraBottom threeRagini Shinde"Panchhi Banoon Udti Phiroon"SafePriyangshu Dutta"Hum Shaayar To Nahin"SafeSneha ShankarChittiye NiSafeSrijan Porail"Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo"SafeAnirudh Suswaram"Chalat Musafir"SafeJyotiprakash Ojha"Dum Dum Diga Diga"Bottom three +Non-competition performance (14-15 December)PerformersSongMyscmme and Shubhajit"Ye Raat Bheegi Bheegi"Mayuri and Priyangshu"Pyaar Hua Hai Ikraar Hua Hai"
Gala 6: Top 14 – Christmas concert Both nights of the week they celebrated Christmas. Paradox, Rishabh Rikhiram Sharma, Papon, Priyank Sharma, Nikhita Gandhi, Meiyang Chang were the guests. For the promotion of CID Season 2 Shivaji Satam, Aditya Shrivastava and Dayanand Shetty came to support Ragini Shinde Indian Idol Contestant and came for the promotion of the same.
Manasi sings "Akh Ladh Jave" with Badshah and Paradox.
Gala 7: Top 14 – 90s celebration This was the elimination week, where judges had to give scores to the duet performing collectively. The lowest scoring duet will be in the bottom and one of them will be elimination on the basis of last week public votes.
Sangeeta Bijlani and Ayesha Jhulka joined for each night respectively while Badshah was again absent.