''X Factor India'' is the

India India, officially the Republic of India ( Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the ...

n version of ''

The X Factor ''The X Factor'' is a television music competition franchise created by British producer Simon Cowell and his company Syco Entertainment. It originated in the United Kingdom, where it was devised as a replacement for ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003 ...

'', a show originating from the United Kingdom. It is a television music talent show contested by aspiring singers of all genres drawn from public auditions from all across

. The show in its inaugural year was broadcast on

Sony Entertainment Television Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is an Indian Hindi-language general entertainment pay television channel, that was launched on 30 September 1995, and is owned by Culver Max Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese Sony. SET India's Y ...

Channel. The 2011 competition was open to all Indian citizens born before 15 January 1995. There were 3 categories for registrants: Solo performances for those between 16 and 24 years of age as of 15 January 2011 and for those equal to and above 25 years of age as of 15 January 2011 and Group performance for a group of 2 or more people, all of which should be above the age of 16 years as of 15 January 2011. Reservation draws were to be divided one third to each category. Each week, live concerts were held in

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the secon ...

where the 12 finalists performed for the judges and a live studio audience

Auditions

Registrations were launched via telephones and SMS on 20 January 2011 all across India. Auditions were held in the following cities: * Ahmedabad 12 February 2011 *

Kolkata Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , List of renamed places in India#West Bengal, the official name until 2001) is the Capital city, capital of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of West Bengal, on the eastern ba ...

15 and 16 February 2011 *

Lucknow Lucknow (, ) is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is also the second largest urban agglomeration in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is the administrative headquarters of the eponymous district and divisio ...

23 February 2011 *

Indore Indore () is the largest and most populous city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It serves as the headquarters of both Indore District and Indore Division. It is also considered as an education hub of the state and is the only city to ...

27 February 2011 *

4 and 5 March 2011 *

Delhi Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders wi ...

12 and 13 March 2011

Judges and host

The first season of the Indian version of ''X Factor'' was judged by singer

Sonu Nigam Sonu Nigam (born 30 July 1973) is an Indian singer, music director and actor. He has been described in the media as one of the most popular and successful playback singers of Hindi Cinema and Kannada Cinema. He has been honoured by the Gover ...

, playback singer

Shreya Ghoshal Shreya Ghoshal (born 12 March 1984) is an Indian singer and television personality. One of the highest-paid and most well-established playback singers of Indian cinema, she has received four National Film Awards, four Kerala State Film Awa ...

and film director

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Sanjay Leela Bhansali (; born 24 February 1963) is an Indian filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and music composer who is known for his work in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including four National Film Awards, ten Filmfa ...

. The show was hosted by

Aditya Narayan Aditya Narayan (born 6 August 1987) is an Indian people, Indian singer, host and actor. He is the son of singer Udit Narayan. He is known for hosting Indian Idol and participating in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 9. Personal life Narayan w ...

. Key: : – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font. Geet Sagar from

Gwalior Gwalior() is a major city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; it lies in northern part of Madhya Pradesh and is one of the Counter-magnet cities. Located south of Delhi, the capital city of India, from Agra and from Bhopal, the ...

/span> was announced winner of the show. As a prize he won Rs. 50 lakh, a car & an opportunity to sing in

Karan Johar Karan Johar (born Rahul Kumar Johar; 25 May 1972), often informally referred to as KJo in the Hindi Film Industry, is an Indian filmmaker and television personality, who primarily works in Hindi cinema. He has launched the careers of several su ...

's movie. He recorded the title track "Draamebaaz" for the film '' Nautanki Saala!'' (2013). He has also been singing for TV commercials & jingles like Cinthol, GoIbibo.com, Parachute Tender Hair & Care, Garnier, Marvel Tea, among others.

References

External links

X Factor India Official website
* {{Shreya Ghoshal

Indian television series 2011 Indian television series debuts Television series by Fremantle (company) Music competitions in India Indian television series based on British television series