Mumbai: Odisha’s Jyotirmayee Nayak was declared the winner of Indian Idol 16 on Sunday, July 26, capping a marathon 10-month journey filled with memorable performances, emotional highs and lows, and strong audience support.
The 24-year-old singer from Odisha lifted the trophy and took home the Rs 20 lakh prize money, while Tanishk Shukla from Jabalpur finished as the first runner-up with Manraj Veer Singh placed third. The other finalists — Anshika Chonkar, Myscmme Bosu, and Suhail Sufi — also delivered powerful performances during the grand finale.
Jyotirmayee is the first contestant from the state to win the trophy. Earlier Ananya Sritam Nanda had won Indian Idol Junior Season 2 in 2015.
The season, themed Yaadon Ki Playlist, struck a deep chord with viewers, leading to two extensions of three months each. It premiered on October 18, 2025, with auditions held across India to discover fresh talent. The competition progressed through intense theatre and gala rounds before culminating in a two-part grand finale aired on Sony Entertainment Television and streamed on SonyLIV on July 25 and 26.
Jyotirmayee credited her victory to her unwavering passion for music and the blessings of cancer patients she had helped through music therapy sessions. “The journey has been almost a year long. I came to Mumbai on September 14, and it has been quite a journey,. Gladly, it turned fruitful too, winning the trophy. I never thought about winning the prize money; all I thought was to give my best and get good comments,” she reflected.
A trained vocalist with a strong academic background, Jyotirmayee’s music has long been rooted in devotional and regional songs. She described her parents’ unconditional support as a cornerstone of her success. She also highlighted the emotional rollercoaster of the show. Performing iconic songs marked her highest points, while being placed at the bottom during eliminations tested her resilience. “However, I got a lot of votes and I just kept working hard,” she added.
Judges Shreya Ghoshal and Badshah congratulated the winner on stage, while Vishal Dadlani joined via video call due to a prior commitment. Runners-up received Rs 5 lakh each.
