Reality shows are in plenty, what with every channel launching its singing or dancing show. While most contestants on these shows just get their 15 minutes of fame, there are a few who have stood the test of time.
In the realm of singing reality shows, playback singers Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan have gone on to become names to reckon with. In keeping with the spirit, here are six singers you probably didn’t know had started their singing career with a show like Indian Idol.
Neeti Mohan: Neeti Mohan made her singing debut in Bollywood with Ishq Wala Love from Student Of The Year. In the same year, she sang Jiya Re from Jab Tak Hai Jaan and won the RD Burman Award for these two songs. The singer has hit songs like Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari, Har Kisi Ko and Bang Bang in her kitty.
Antara Mitra: A contestant of Indian Idol 2, Mitra, struggled a lot to make an entry as Bollywood’s playback singer. It took around five years to get her first break in Bollywood. Therefore, she has been lucky to sing with one of the veteran singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Mohit Chauhan, and Shaan. Her famous numbers include Saree ke fall sa from Rajkumar and Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si from Rajneeti.
Monali Thakur: An outstanding contestant of Indian Idol 2, 2005, Monali Thakur comes from a musical family. Her father Shakti Thakur is a well-known Bengali singer. After struggling a lot in B-town, she got an offer from composer Pritam Chakraborty, who gave her the chance to sing two songs, Khwaab Dekhe and Zara Zara Touch Me from the movie Race in 2008. Both of these numbers became a big hit and loved by the audiences. Moreover, Monali Thakur has won Filmfare Award for singing Sawaar Loon from the movie Lootera.
Arijit Singh: Once a contestant of the reality show, Fame Gurukul, Arijit Singh is one of the most successful singers of Bollywood today. There was no looking back for the singer after he rose to fame with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2. Small-budget movies like Hate Story 2 (Aaj Phir Tum Pe), Jackpot (Kabhi Jo Badal Barse) and Citylights (Muskurane) would have gone unnoticed had it not been for Arijit’s songs, which made these movies famous overnight.
Sreeram Chandra: He was the winner of Indian Idol 5 and has received many Bollywood playback offers. He sings in multiple languages and his famous numbers include ‘Subhanallah’ from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani and ‘Madhubala’ from Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.
