Vishal Dadlani Bids Farewell to Indian Idol After Six Seasons

Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani has announced his exit from the popular singing reality show Indian Idol after serving as a judge for six consecutive seasons. Dadlani, who joined the panel in 2018, shared an emotional video and heartfelt message on Instagram, bidding goodbye to the show that he described as “home.”

“That’s all from me, folks!” Dadlani wrote. “Six straight seasons later, tonight is my last episode as a judge on Indian Idol. I hope the show will miss me as much as I’ll miss it.” The video featured Dadlani alongside fellow judges Shreya Ghoshal and Badshah, as well as members of the production crew, with whom he expressed deep gratitude.

In his post, the 51-year-old singer extended his thanks to numerous colleagues and crew members, writing, “Thanks Shreya, Badshah, Adi, Aradhana, Chitra, Anand ji, Sonal, Pratibha, Sahil, Saloni, Muskaan, Abisha, the entire production crew, Vilas, Pakya, Kaushik (Pinky), and all the co-judges, singers and musicians down the years! It really has been home!! That stage is pure love.”

Reflecting on his time on the show, Dadlani said he received more love than he ever expected. He also revealed the practical reason behind his decision to leave, stating, “I’m literally only leaving because I want my time back. Can’t stay stuck in Mumbai for six months each year.”

While he expressed sadness at leaving, Dadlani also sounded excited about returning to his core passion — music. “Time to get back to making music, playing concerts, and never putting on make-up. Jai Ho,” he added with his signature sense of humor.

Dadlani’s exit marks the end of an era on Indian Idol, where he was known not only for his musical expertise but also for his camaraderie with contestants and co-judges. His presence brought both credibility and energy to the show, and fans have already begun expressing their disappointment over his departure.

As he moves on, Dadlani’s legacy on Indian Idol remains strong — remembered for his honest critiques, support for budding talent, and deep connection with the audience. With his return to the stage and studio, fans can now look forward to fresh music and live performances from the celebrated artist.

AM.