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Indian Idol 16 Premieres Oct 18; Judge Badshah Slams Rumors: ‘It’s Not Scripted’

Anamika Rajput | 3 min read | 2 weeks ago | Oct 16, 2025 10:32 am IST
Indian Idol 16 Premieres Oct 18; Judge Badshah Slams Rumors: 'It's Not Scripted'

Ever watch a reality show and think, “Is any of this actually real?” You’re not alone. The question of whether these shows are scripted comes up all the time. But when it comes to the upcoming Indian Idol 16, judge Badshah has a pretty direct answer for you. He says the show isn’t scripted at all. Yeah, really.

Here’s the thing. Badshah, along with fellow judges Vishal Dadlani and Shreya Ghoshal, is getting ready for the new season, and they decided to tackle the rumors head-on. According to Badshah, if the show were scripted, he wouldn’t even be able to follow the script. He insists that everything you see is genuine. So, all the drama, the tears, the triumphs? It’s all happening for real, right in front of the cameras.

What’s New This Season?

Get ready to mark your calendars. The brand new season, officially titled “Indian Idol 2025,” is set to premiere on October 18, 2025. It’s taking over the weekend slot previously held by “Super Dancer Chapter 5,” so you can catch it every Saturday and Sunday at 8:00 PM IST on Sony Entertainment Television. And if you’re not near a TV, you can stream it on SonyLIV.

This year, there’s a really cool theme called “Yaadon Ki Playlist: Jahaan Awazein Aaj Wali Aur Gaane Aap Wale.” The whole idea is to mix timeless, classic songs with the fresh voices of today’s talent. It’s all about creating a musical bridge between generations, so you’ll hear new takes on old favorites.

The Road to the Finale

So, what does the journey look like for the contestants? The show is planning a pretty packed schedule leading all the way into next year.

  • October to December 2025: This is when you’ll see all the auditions and the tough elimination rounds.
  • January to March 2026: Things will heat up with live performances, special themed weeks, and, of course, public voting. This is where you get to have your say.
  • April 2026: And finally, the moment everyone will be waiting for – the grand finale where the next Indian Idol is crowned.

Look, with a judging panel like Vishal Dadlani, Shreya Ghoshal, and Badshah, and a theme that blends the best of old and new, this season is shaping up to be pretty huge. The real question is, will you be watching when it all kicks off on October 18th?