''X Factor India'' is the

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

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'' (2001–200 ...

'', 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 (abbreviated as SET) is an Indian Hindi-language general entertainment pay television channel that was launched in 1995 and is owned by Culver Max Entertainment, a division of Sony Pictures. History This chann ...

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 ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...

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 Ahmedabad ( ), also spelled Amdavad (), is the most populous city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. Ahmedabad's population of 5,570,585 ...

12 February 2011 *

Kolkata Kolkata, also known as Calcutta ( its official name until 2001), is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of West Bengal. It lies on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary ...

15 and 16 February 2011 *

Lucknow Lucknow () is the List of state and union territory capitals in India, capital and the largest city of the List of state and union territory capitals in India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and it is the administrative headquarters of the epon ...

23 February 2011 *

Indore Indore (; ISO 15919, ISO: , ) is the largest and most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The commercial capital of the state, it has been declared as the List of cleanest cities in India, cleanest city of In ...

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, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...

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 playback singer, music director, dubbing artist and actor. He is one of the most versatile singers and widest vocal ranges in the history of Indian music. His songs vary from romantic to break-up, cla ...

, playback singer

Shreya Ghoshal Shreya Ghoshal (; born 12 March 1984) is an Indian singer. Noted for her wide vocal range and versatility, she is one of the most prolific and influential singers of India. Often referred to as the "Queen of Dynamics'' for her remarkable voc ...

and film director

Sanjay Leela Bhansali Sanjay Leela Bhansali (born 24 February 1963) is an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, editor and music composer, who works in Hindi cinema. He is the recipient of several awards, including seven National Film Awards and twelve Filmf ...

. The show was hosted by Aditya Narayan. Key: : – Winning judge/category. Winners are in bold, eliminated contestants in small font. Geet Sagar from

Gwalior Gwalior (Hindi: , ) is a major city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh; It is known as the Music City of India having oldest Gwalior gharana, musical gharana in existence. It is a major sports, cultural, industrial, and political c ...

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

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

'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 The X Factor Indian reality television series 2011 Indian television series debuts Television series by Fremantle (company) Music competitions in India Indian television series based on British television series 2011 Indian television series endings