_Vikkals Vikram and Pooja Venkat join the first season of Tamil Idol as hosts, as Chennai prepares to kick off Tamil Nadu’s biggest search for its next musical sensation_

Aug 22, 2026

Chennai is all set to witness a musical moment as the first on-ground auditions of Tamil Idol begin on August 23. As the city opens its doors to aspiring singers from across Tamil Nadu, Vikkals Vikram and Pooja Venkat join the first season as hosts, bringing their energy and warmth to the much-awaited singing competition.

Brought to Tamil audiences by Sony VIZHA and Sony LIV, Tamil Idol, with Super Judge A.R. Rahman at the helm, is set to discover and celebrate extraordinary voices from across the state. The Chennai auditions will be held at Velammal Vidyalaya Annexure, Mel Ayanambakkam, inviting aspiring singers between the ages of 14 and 30 to step forward and showcase their talent.

As hosts, Vikkals Vikram and Pooja Venkat will meet contestants, hear their stories and be part of their experience as the auditions unfold across Tamil Nadu.

Vikkals Vikram said, “Tamil Nadu is a land of incredible musical talent, and I am thrilled and honoured to be part of a platform that gives these voices the opportunity to be heard and celebrated. Tamil Idol is not just about finding great singers; it is about bringing together the diverse musical talent of the state and giving aspiring performers a stage to dream bigger. With A.R. Rahman Sir leading this journey, the scale and opportunity are truly extraordinary. I am especially looking forward to meeting the contestants, hearing their stories and witnessing the first steps of what could be a very special journey for them.”

Pooja Venkat said, “There is something incredibly special about discovering a voice for the very first time. Tamil Idol brings together music, emotion and the stories of people from across Tamil Nadu, and I feel honoured to be part of it. As the host, I want to create an environment where every contestant feels comfortable, encouraged and confident enough to share their voice. Chennai is where this exciting chapter begins, and I cannot wait to see the talent that walks through those audition doors on August 23.”

The Chennai auditions mark the beginning of the search, which will travel across Tamil Nadu in pursuit of a voice that can capture the hearts of an entire state.

_Chennai, your stage is ready. The search for the first Tamil Idol begins August 23._

A Powerhouse Trio: Meet the Musical Maestros Judging the First Season of Tamil Idol

The stage is set, the mics are ready, and the hunt for Tamil Nadu’s next major singing sensation is officially on! As the globally iconic Indian Idol franchise makes its historic debut in Tamil, all eyes have been on who will take the coveted judges' seats.

Today, the wait is finally over. Sony is thrilled to announce a star-studded, powerhouse trio who will mentor, critique, and champion the state's finest grassroots talent: legendary playback singer Karthik, the undisputed king of groove Benny Dayal, and versatile actress-singer Andrea Jeremiah. This trio brings the perfect balance of technical mastery, stage-shattering energy, and modern musicality to the panel.

Sharing their excitement about joining the biggest musical reality show in the country, the judges conveyed their heartfelt wishes to the singers who will be coming for auditions:

Karthik said, _“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 recognizing 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.”_

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

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.”_

With A.R. Rahman leading the charge, Tamil Idol kicks off its first auditions in Chennai on August 23, beginning the hunt for Tamil Nadu’s next musical sensation. Aspiring singers between 14 and 30 years of age can audition at Velammal Vidyalaya Annexure, Mel Ayanambakkam, Chennai, for an opportunity to be part of this landmark talent hunt.

Tamil Idol coming soon on Sony Vizha and Sony LIV