Indian Idol 15 winner: Manasi Ghosh, a 24-year-old from Kolkata, was crowned the winner of Indian Idol 15 on Sunday. The young girl took home the Indian Idol Season 15 trophy, Rs 25 lakhs cash prize, and a car. Shortly after her victory, Manasi spoke to SCREEN about her journey and future plans. She also revealed that she has recorded her first Bollywood song.
Talking about winning Indian Idol 15, Manasi, who credited her mother for encouraging her to pursue music, shared, “My family was here for the finale. They were crying and cheering. I was blank, not knowing initially how to react. But all of us are really happy. Life has changed in a good way. It’s a national platform, so I got a lot of love and blessings from all over.”
Manasi further revealed how she plans to use the prize money. She said, “I want to use some amount from the prize money on my independent music and the car I will use.”
Indian Idol 15 winner Manasi Ghosh with Aditya Narayan, Badshah, Shreya Ghoshal, and Vishal Dadlani. (Photos: Sony TV Team)
Indian Idol 15 was judged by Shreya Ghoshal, Vishal Dadlani, and Badshah. When asked which judge’s feedback mattered to her the most, Manasi Ghosh said, “I always looked up to Badshah Sir and Vishal Sir. Shreya Mam was also very sweet and elaborate on her comments which I loved, but Vishal sir was straight-forward and on the face. Whenever he was impressed, he would be the first one to give me a standing ovation.”
She added, “This show has taught me to both learn and unlearn. Even if you get bad comments, you cannot carry that to your next performance. You have to forget everything that happens and focus on the work.”
Manasi Ghosh also shared her take on Indian music and what she felt about the influence of the West on it. “I won’t say the Western influence on music is bad. We still listen to Lata Mangeshkar, Bhimchand Joshi, Zakir Hussain sir, and everyone. We used to listen to Michael Jackson, now we listen to Doja Cat. It’s good. Even Western people are aware of Indian classical music and they listen to it. Indian rap artists are gaining prominence all over the globe, so Indian music is reaching the West too.”
Lastly, Manasi, who was in the 8th grade when she decided to become a professional singer, shared a message for aspiring singers. “There are so many musicians today, but going to a guru and learning will help you immensely. You should not just sit waiting for playback opportunities. Rather, work on something of your own. Support yourself first. I also wish to do Bollywood playback singing, but I also have plans for my independent music. My Bollywood debut is a duet with Lalit Pandit and Shaan sir. It’s already recorded. It’s for an upcoming film. Badshah sir and I will be doing something next,” she said before signing off.
Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India's leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:
The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:
Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.
Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a "known face" in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication's "Journalism of Courage" standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. ... Read More