Vishal Dadlani Moves On from Indian Idol
Vishal Dadlani’s face has been a fixture on Indian Idol for years, but now, viewers will have to get used to a judging table without him. The veteran singer and composer announced he’s leaving the popular reality show after an impressive six-season stretch, making his final appearance on the stage during the show’s 15th season finale.
Dadlani didn’t sugarcoat the reason for his decision. In a candid Instagram video that left many fans in disbelief, he said, “I can’t stay stuck in Mumbai for six months each year.” For Dadlani, those months have meant a lot of time away from creating new music, playing live gigs, and from simply living life on his own terms. Six seasons on a prime-time reality show might sound glamorous, but the commitment goes beyond just a couple of days a week—it takes over half the year, every single year.
A Goodbye Wrapped in Gratitude
He wasn’t leaving without acknowledging what the show meant to him. Dadlani talked about how much he valued the energy and efforts of his fellow judges Shreya Ghoshal and Badshah, as well as host Aditya Narayan, calling them family. Behind the lights and the standing ovations, he shared, there were real bonds: the production crew became his friends, and he described the Indian Idol set as nothing short of 'home.' For Vishal Dadlani, the stage became a space of pure love—both from the audience and his team.
But as he pointed out, the job of a judge isn’t as easy as it looks. While fans watched him offering guidance and witty remarks to contestants, backstage he was sacrificing time for his own music projects. Doing makeup multiple times a week, sticking to a tight schedule, and staying away from his studio meant putting new ideas and albums on the backburner. That’s a tough call for any artist who thrives on creativity.
The news hit viewers hard. On social media, fans flooded him with messages of sadness and support. Many said the show just wouldn’t feel the same without his sharp ear and honest critiques. Indian Idol’s judging panel—often praised for its chemistry—will now have a notable gap, especially since Dadlani was a constant beside collaborators like Ghoshal and Badshah. This move isn’t isolated: there’s been a pattern of reality-TV judges stepping down in recent years, trading celebrity spotlights for more personal or professional growth.
So what’s next for Dadlani? He says he’s excited to focus more on music production and live performances, less on heavy makeup routines, and more on being present in the lives of fans on stage, rather than only on screen. Even as he moves on, his tenure at Indian Idol will be remembered for reshaping how judges engage with contestants and connect with people watching from home.
