Season 3 began in June 2024 with Sreerama Chandra back as host — his second stint after sitting out Season 2 — and over 15,000 people having auditioned across multiple cities including New Jersey and Hyderabad. The competition ran for approximately 26 weeks and identified, in its winner, a 19-year-old from Tadepalligudem whose background — the son of a motor mechanic, a CA intermediate exam passer, a teenager — read like a script treatment rather than a biography.
Nazeeruddin Shaik emerged from that background and those 26 weeks with a trophy, ₹10 lakh in prize money, and an invitation to sing in the Pawan Kalyan starrer OG.
Indian Idol Telugu Season 3 – Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Season | Season 3 |
| Premiere Date | June 14, 2024 |
| Finale Date | September 20–21, 2024 |
| Platform | Aha (OTT); streaming twice weekly |
| Production Company | Fremantle |
| Host | Sreerama Chandra |
| Judges | Thaman S; Geetha Madhuri; Karthik |
| Winner | Nazeeruddin Shaik (Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh) |
| Runner-Up (1st) | Anirudh Suswaram (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh) |
| Runner-Up (2nd) | GV Sri Keerthi (Visakhapatnam) |
| Prize Money (Winner) | ₹10 lakh |
| Runner-Up Prize | ₹3 lakh (1st); ₹2 lakh (2nd) |
| Additional Honour | Opportunity to sing in Pawan Kalyan’s film OG |
| Auditions | Over 15,000 participants |
| Top 12 Contestants | 12 |
| Notable Fact | Youngest winner in the show’s history at 19; son of a motor mechanic; recently cleared CA intermediate exams |
Host of Indian Idol Telugu Season 3 – Sreerama Chandra
Sreerama Chandra returned for his second hosting stint, having stepped aside for Season 2. His return after a one-season break was welcomed by audiences who had found Hemachandra’s stint in Season 2 competent but less naturally expressive of the show’s identity. Sreerama Chandra would go on to host Season 4 as well, making him the face of three out of the franchise’s four seasons.
Judges of Indian Idol Telugu Season 3
Thaman S, Geetha Madhuri, and Karthik returned unchanged for the third consecutive season — a consistency that allowed the judging panel to develop a shared vocabulary and natural chemistry that benefits a long-running competition. All three noted in their post-finale comments that Season 3 had the strongest overall talent pool the show had seen.
Winner of Indian Idol Telugu Season 3 – Nazeeruddin Shaik
Nazeeruddin Shaik was 19 years old when he won Season 3, making him the youngest winner in the Telugu Indian Idol franchise. He came from Tadepalligudem, a town in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. His father is a motor mechanic. He had recently cleared his CA (Chartered Accountancy) intermediate examinations — placing him simultaneously in two very different professional trajectories — when the competition concluded.
His journey through the season was defined by consistent excellence rather than a single breakout performance. The judges noted his versatility — an ability to handle classical nuances, contemporary film songs, and folk-influenced Telugu music — combined with what Thaman described as a naturally emotive delivery that communicated to audiences rather than just impressing judges.
The prize package included ₹10 lakh in cash and the opportunity to sing in OG, the highly anticipated film starring Pawan Kalyan — an industry opportunity that money alone cannot purchase and that gives the winner direct entry into the Telugu film music circuit.
Runner-Up Profiles
Anirudh Suswaram (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh) — first runner-up, received ₹3 lakh. He was among the most technically accomplished contestants of the season and entered the finale as a strong contender for the title.
GV Sri Keerthi (Visakhapatnam) — second runner-up, received ₹2 lakh. Her consistent vocal performances gave Visakhapatnam its second finalist in three seasons of the competition.
Indian Idol Telugu Season 3 – Top 12 Contestants
| Contestant | Hometown | Final Position |
| Nazeeruddin Shaik | Tadepalligudem, West Godavari | Winner |
| Anirudh Suswaram | Kurnool, AP | 1st Runner-Up |
| GV Sri Keerthi | Visakhapatnam | 2nd Runner-Up |
| Keerthana | Kakinada | Finalist (Top 5) |
| Skanda Veluvali | Hyderabad | Finalist (Top 5) |
| Bharat Raj | Nizamabad | Semi-Finalist |
| Keshav Ram | Melbourne, Australia | Eliminated 7th |
| Sai Vallabha | Nandyal | Eliminated 6th |
| Abhigna (Wildcard) | Virginia, USA | Eliminated 5th |
| Duvvuri Sridhruthi | Hyderabad | Eliminated 4th |
| Rajani Sree Poornimaa | Hyderabad | Eliminated 3rd |
| Hari Priya | Hyderabad | Eliminated 2nd |
Key Facts and Legacy of Season 3
Season 3 ran for approximately 26 weeks — the longest of the franchise’s run to that point — and drew 15,000+ auditionees, another record increase. The initial auditions were held in New Jersey and Hyderabad in May 2024, with the season premiere following on June 14. The diversity of the top 12 — including contestants from the Telugu diaspora in Melbourne and Virginia as well as from towns across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — reflected the show’s growing international reach. Guest appearances included Vijay Deverakonda (Episodes 5–6) and Vijay Yesudas (Episodes 11–12).
5 FAQs About Indian Idol Telugu Season 3
Q1. Who won Indian Idol Telugu Season 3?
Nazeeruddin Shaik, a 19-year-old from Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, won Season 3 in September 2024. He is the youngest winner in the Telugu Indian Idol franchise. The son of a motor mechanic, he had recently cleared his CA intermediate exams and received ₹10 lakh in prize money plus the opportunity to sing in Pawan Kalyan’s film OG.
Q2. Who was the runner-up of Indian Idol Telugu Season 3?
Anirudh Suswaram from Kurnool secured first runner-up and received ₹3 lakh. GV Sri Keerthi from Visakhapatnam was second runner-up and received ₹2 lakh.
Q3. Who hosted Indian Idol Telugu Season 3?
Sreerama Chandra returned as host for Season 3 — his second stint, having hosted Season 1 and sat out Season 2. The same judging panel of Thaman S, Geetha Madhuri, and Karthik continued from Season 2.
Q4. How many people auditioned for Indian Idol Telugu Season 3?
Over 15,000 participants auditioned, with initial rounds held in New Jersey and Hyderabad in May 2024. The competition then shortlisted 12 finalists who competed across 26 weeks.
Q5. What was the prize for winning Indian Idol Telugu Season 3?
₹10 lakh in cash prize, the winner’s trophy, and the opportunity to sing in Pawan Kalyan’s highly anticipated film OG — a film industry opportunity that gives the winner direct professional access to a top-tier Telugu production.
