Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV are bringing back 24 singers from previous seasons of ‘Indian Idol’ for a new competitive format, ‘Indian Idol Legends Return’, which premieres on October 17, 2026.

Produced by Fremantle, the new season will feature 12 duos competing against one another, combining familiar voices, fresh musical partnerships and a renewed battle for audience support. The show will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.

Singer and composer Himesh Reshammiya returns as the Superstar Judge, while Aditya Narayan will host the show. In a new twist to the format, contestants will be evaluated not only by Reshammiya but also by their fellow participants, bringing peer assessment into the competition.

The season features popular ‘Indian Idol’ alumni, including Abhijeet Sawant, Amit Sana, Salman Ali and Sayli Kamble, among others. The singers will be paired into duos and challenged to build musical chemistry, demonstrate versatility and deliver performances that stand out in a field of experienced performers.

Built around the theme “Sirf ek baar jeetna kaafi nahi hota, baar-baar jeetna padta hai”, the show challenges the returning singers to earn the audience’s affection once again. While their earlier performances established their identities and fan followings, the new pairings will test their ability to adapt, collaborate and compete in unfamiliar combinations.

Speaking about the season, Himesh Reshammiya said the format would push established artists to prove themselves again.

“Sirf ek baar jeetna kaafi nahi hota, baar-baar jeetna padta hai. And that is what makes Indian Idol Legends Return so exciting. It brings together artists who have already proven their talent and earned their place in the world of music but must now rise to the challenge all over again,” he said.

Reshammiya added that the season would celebrate the show’s musical legacy while giving contestants fresh opportunities to surprise audiences and demonstrate their determination to win.

Harsh Sheth, Business Head at Sony Entertainment Television, said the new format combines nostalgia and the emotional connection audiences have with former contestants with the excitement of a fresh competition.

“Indian Idol has always been about discovering extraordinary voices and creating moments that stay with audiences. With Indian Idol Legends Return, we’re taking that legacy to an entirely new level by bringing some of the most iconic voices discovered on the show back into the spotlight, this time to compete in a blockbuster season,” Sheth said.

He added that Reshammiya’s return as judge would strengthen the show’s appeal, with the combination of established talent, competition and star power expected to create memorable musical moments.

Aradhana Bhola, Managing Director of Fremantle, described the season as a new take on the ‘Idol’ format, bringing together established fan favourites and duet performances.

“Marrying the gold of iconic Idol fandom with the newness of all out duet performances for the first time ever in the history of the format worldwide, Indian Idol Legends Return is setting its own bar,” Bhola said.

She added that the season would combine nostalgia, fresh musical renditions, performance chemistry and competitive energy, with Reshammiya returning as judge and Narayan as host.

With 24 returning singers, 12 competing duos and a peer-evaluation element, ‘Indian Idol Legends Return’ aims to revisit the franchise’s legacy while giving its former contestants a new challenge.

The show premieres on October 17, 2026, and will air every Saturday and Sunday at 8 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.