Sony Vizha has announced the judging panel for the first-ever Tamil edition of Indian Idol – Tamil Idol.

Playback singer Karthik, singer Benny Dayal and actress-singer Andrea Jeremiah will be coming together to search for Tamil Nadu’s next singing sensation.

The Tamil version marks the franchise’s first major foray into the language and is expected to give aspiring singers from across the state a platform to showcase their talent.

The announcement puts an end to speculation around who would be judging the show, which is soon going to premiere on the small screen.

Karthik, who has established himself as one of the most versatile playback singers in the Indian music industry, brings extensive experience in playback singing across languages and genres. His understanding of melody, vocal technique and musical interpretation is expected to play a key role in evaluating contestants.

“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 recognising 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, said Karthik.

Benny Dayal, who is known for his distinctive voice and high-energy performances, will add a contemporary and performance-oriented perspective to the panel.

“I have had the opportunity to be part of the Hindi Idol journey multiple times, and every time I walked ont 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 1 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,” said Benny.

Andrea Jeremiah completes the panel. Apart from acting, Andrea has built a career as a singer and has performed across Tamil and other Indian-language projects.

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.”

The three judges will be tasked with identifying singers who can stand out not only for their vocal ability but also for their individuality, versatility, stage presence and emotional connection with a song.

With A.R. Rahman leading the charge, Tamil Idol kicks off its first auditions in Chennai on August 23.
Aspiring singers between the age of 14 and 30 years can audition in Chennai.

Tamil Idol coming soon on Sony Vizha and Sony LIV.