Seven seasons, two Indian Idol Junior editions, and a nearly five-year gap since Season 6. When Indian Idol Season 9 — the first adult main-series season since 2012 — premiered on December 18, 2016, it was working hard to remind an audience whose television and digital habits had fundamentally shifted why a Saturday-night singing competition still mattered.
The casting helped: a judging panel that brought Sonu Nigam and Farah Khan back alongside Anu Malik for the first time since the franchise’s early seasons. A hosting pair of Karan Wahi and Paritosh Tripathi who knew each other’s rhythms from other shows. And a winner from Visakhapatnam who had already sung for one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated films before the competition — a detail that gave his Indian Idol victory a specific kind of irony worth noting.
Indian Idol Season 9 – Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Season | Season 9 |
| Air Dates | December 18, 2016 – April 2, 2017 |
| Channel | Sony Entertainment Television |
| Hosts | Karan Wahi; Paritosh Tripathi |
| Judges | Anu Malik; Sonu Nigam; Farah Khan |
| Winner | LV Revanth (Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh) |
| Runner-Up (1st) | Khuda Baksh |
| Runner-Up (2nd) | PVNS Rohit |
| Prize Money | ₹25 lakh |
| Notable Finale Guest | Sachin Tendulkar |
| Notable Fact | First adult main-series season since Season 6 (2012); reunion of original judging trio Anu Malik-Sonu Nigam-Farah Khan; Karan Wahi returns as host |
Hosts of Indian Idol Season 9
Karan Wahi returned to Indian Idol hosting duties — he had previously hosted Indian Idol Junior Season 1 in 2013 alongside Mandira Bedi. His Season 9 appearance marked his return to the main franchise.
Paritosh Tripathi — comedian and television host well known from Super Dancer and other reality show appearances. His partnership with Wahi gave Season 9’s hosting an easy comedic quality that complemented the season’s revived energy.
Judges of Indian Idol Season 9
Anu Malik continued for his seventh main-series season — an unbroken run that made him the franchise’s defining constant.
Sonu Nigam returned for the first time since Season 2, completing a 10-year absence from the judging panel. His return alongside Farah Khan recreated the original Season 1 trio, giving Season 9 a specific nostalgia charge for long-term viewers.
Farah Khan returned for the first time since Season 2 as well — her absence from the panel had spanned Seasons 3 through 8. Back after a decade, she brought the same direct, performance-focused assessment style that had made her one of Season 1 and 2’s most discussed judges.
Winner of Indian Idol Season 9 – LV Revanth
LV Revanth — Laguvarapu Venkata Revanth — was from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and had been a professional playback singer before appearing on Indian Idol Season 9. He had already sung for Baahubali: The Beginning, one of the landmark films in Indian cinema history, making him one of the rare Indian Idol winners who entered the competition with existing professional credits.
His appeal on the show was not diminished by his professional background — if anything, it raised the standard of his performances to a level that the competition’s format consistently rewarded. He had competed in over 11 singing reality competitions through his career, winning the majority of them. The Indian Idol title became his most prominent platform.
His prize was ₹25 lakh. He has since sung over 200 songs in Kannada and Telugu films and remains an active figure in South Indian film music.
Runner-Up Profiles
Khuda Baksh — first runner-up of Season 9, who made it to the finale against LV Revanth and PVNS Rohit.
PVNS Rohit — second runner-up of Season 9.
Maalavika Sundar — eliminated in the Top 4 episode, having been one of the strongest contenders through the season. Her exit generated significant audience discussion.
Indian Idol Season 9 – Top Contestants
| Contestant | Position |
| LV Revanth | Winner |
| Khuda Baksh | 1st Runner-Up |
| PVNS Rohit | 2nd Runner-Up |
| Maalavika Sundar | Top 4 |
| Mohit Chopra | Top Contestant |
| Manya Narang | Top Contestant |
| Hardeep Singh | Top Contestant |
Key Facts and Legacy of Season 9
Season 9’s most significant structural feature was its reunion of the original judging panel — Anu Malik, Sonu Nigam, and Farah Khan had not sat together on the Indian Idol panel since Season 2 in 2006. The Sachin Tendulkar appearance at the finale was the season’s celebrity highlight. The show’s return to a full main-series adult format after the two Junior seasons (7 and 8) was well-received by the franchise’s original audience base.
5 FAQs About Indian Idol Season 9
Q1. Who won Indian Idol Season 9?
LV Revanth from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, won Season 9 on April 2, 2017. He received ₹25 lakh in prize money. He had already sung for Baahubali: The Beginning before the competition, and has subsequently sung over 200 songs in Kannada and Telugu films.
Q2. Who were the judges of Indian Idol Season 9?
Anu Malik, Sonu Nigam, and Farah Khan — the original Season 1 trio, reunited for the first time since Season 2 (2006). Both Sonu Nigam and Farah Khan had been absent from the franchise for approximately ten years.
Q3. Who hosted Indian Idol Season 9?
Karan Wahi and Paritosh Tripathi. Karan Wahi had previously hosted Indian Idol Junior Season 1 in 2013 alongside Mandira Bedi.
Q4. What was the gap between Indian Idol Season 6 and Season 9?
Season 6 concluded September 1, 2012. Season 9 premiered December 18, 2016 — a gap of approximately four years. Seasons 7 and 8 were Indian Idol Junior editions (children’s spin-off), not main adult series seasons.
Q5. When did Indian Idol Season 9 air?
December 18, 2016 to April 2, 2017, on Sony Entertainment Television. The finale aired on April 2, 2017, with cricketer Sachin Tendulkar among the special guests.
