Judging the First Season of Tamil Idol

The stage is set, the mics are ready, and the hunt for Tamil Nadu’s next major singing sensation is officially on! As the globally iconic Indian Idol franchise makes its historic debut in Tamil, all eyes have been on who will take the coveted judges' seats. Today, the wait is finally over. Sony is thrilled to announce a star-studded, powerhouse trio who will mentor, critique, and champion the state's finest grassroots talent: legendary playback singer Karthik, the undisputed king of groove Benny Dayal, and versatile actress-singer Andrea Jeremiah. This trio brings the perfect balance of technical mastery, stage-shattering energy, and modern musicality to the panel. Sharing their excitement about joining the biggest musical reality show in the country, the judges conveyed their heartfelt wishes to the singers who will be coming for auditions: Karthik said, “Tamil Nadu has such a deep and diverse musical culture, and I am certain that Tamil Idol is going to uncover voices that will surprise and inspire us. For me, the most exciting part of being a judge is not just listening to a great singer but recognizing potential and helping an artist discover what they are truly capable of. With A.R. Rahman Sir guiding this journey, we have a wonderful opportunity to create a platform where new talent can really flourish. I cannot wait to hear what Tamil Nadu has to offer.” Benny Dayal said, “I have had the opportunity to be part of the Hindi Idol journey multiple times, and every time I walked onto that stage, I was blown away by the incredible talent that came forward. You realise that there are so many voices across the country with stories, dreams and an extraordinary musical instinct. To now be part of Tamil Idol and have the opportunity to discover and work with talent from Tamil Nadu is something I am genuinely excited about. I have studied in Chennai, lived here for almost ten years and built my career in Tamil music, so to see the journey of Tamil music and the city evolve from then to now makes being part of Tamil Idol even more special. I feel very happy and grateful to be part of this journey, and I cannot wait to see what the next generation of singers brings to the stage. This is going to be a very special journey.” Andrea Jeremiah said, “Music has always been an integral part of who we are as Tamilians, and I believe some of the most extraordinary voices are waiting to be discovered across the state. What excites me about Tamil Idol is the opportunity to meet singers from different backgrounds, with different influences and stories, and watch them bring their individuality to the stage. I am really looking forward to this journey and to being part of a platform that gives these voices the opportunity to be heard, nurtured, and celebrated.” With A.R. Rahman leading the charge, Tamil Idol kicks off its first auditions in Chennai on August 23, beginning the hunt for Tamil Nadu’s next musical sensation. Aspiring singers between 14 and 30 years of age can audition at Velammal Vidyalaya Annexure, Mel Ayanambakkam, Chennai, for an opportunity to be part of this landmark talent hunt.