Credits: SonyTV
The weekend episode of Indian Idol Season 16, aired on Saturday, 8th November 2025, brought music, nostalgia, and unforgettable performances to the stage. The episode marked the Top 16 Gala Round, themed “Yaadon Ki Playlist”, celebrating melodies of the past while introducing today’s best voices.
Unlike the tense elimination rounds, this was a non-elimination special, focusing on pure music and storytelling — making it a night full of joy, memories, and magical performances.
The night was all about celebrating old-school Bollywood charm. Each contestant performed an evergreen hit, adding their unique twist and energy. Judges praised contestants for balancing nostalgia with creativity.
But what truly made this episode special were the two legendary guests who joined the celebration — Urmila Matondkar and Sukhwinder Singh.
Also see: India’s Got Talent Season 11 Contestants
Here’s a quick look at who sang what during the Gala:
| Contestant | Song Performed | Highlights |
| Anshika Chonkar | Rangeela Re | Showstopper of the night! Urmila Matondkar was so impressed that she gifted Anshika a special lucky coin. |
| Arfin Rana | Ek Sanam Chahiye Aashiqui Ke Liye | Delivered a smooth and soulful rendition that won everyone’s hearts. |
| Manraj Veer | Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane | Brought energy and classic charm to the stage. |
| Diwakar Choubey | Chaiyya Chaiyya | Set the stage on fire with his power-packed vocals and style. |
| Abhishek Kumar | Tadap Tadap Ke Is Dil Se | A heartfelt performance that earned emotional applause from the judges. |
| Shreya Verma | Tare Hain Barati | Her sweet voice gave the song a refreshing touch. |
| Abhijit Sharma | Yeh Dil Deewana | Brought classic vibes and great control in his delivery. |
| Sugandha Date | Morni Baga Ma Bole | Magical and folk-inspired — a perfect fit for her voice. |
| Jyotirmayee Nayak | Tera Naam Rakh Liya | Emotionally charged performance that moved everyone. |
| Amritha Rajan | Kehna Hi Kiya | Graceful and nostalgic, beautifully presented. |
| Manav | Ishq Di Galli Vich Dolna | Full of rhythm and Punjabi energy. |
| Suheil | Mera Piya Ghar Aaya O Ramji | High on energy and crowd engagement. |
| Shreenidhi Shastry | Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein | Balanced softness with control — judges loved it. |
| Tanishk Shukla | Deewana | Powerful stage presence and high notes done right. |
| Banashree Biswas | Song not specified | Still managed to grab attention with strong vocals. |
| Ankita Pradhan | Song not specified | A promising start to her Indian Idol journey. |
The episode’s biggest highlight came when Urmila Matondkar, the queen of 90s Bollywood, graced the show. She was deeply touched by Anshika Chonkar’s performance of Rangeela Re, a song immortalized by Urmila herself. In a sweet gesture, she gifted Anshika her special lucky coin, calling her performance “pure magic.”
Legendary playback singer Sukhwinder Singh took over the stage with his trademark energy, performing Chaiyya Chaiyya and motivating contestants with his powerhouse vocals. His duet moment with Diwakar Choubey had the audience cheering nonstop, making it one of the most memorable acts of the night.
Since this was a non-elimination gala episode, all 16 contestants continue their journey. The next episode will officially kick off the public voting phase — where audience votes will decide who stays and who goes.
Contestants like Anshika Chonkar, Manraj Veer, and Diwakar Choubey seem to be early favorites based on audience buzz and judge reactions.
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