Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 16, 2020)

The ongoing season of Indian Idol has proved to be a bigger platform for its contestants than ever before. The newest addition to its list of hopefuls who have landed playback jobs even before the show winds up, is Rishabh Chaturvedi.

A few weeks ago, the 21-year-old Amritsar boy had performed an original composition for Alia Bhatt on the show. Later, the actress had sent over a video message to thank him for the gesture. Now, Varun Dhawan, who was on the show recently to promote Street Dancer 3D, has promised Rishabh that he will ensure the singer’s original song makes it into a film. Admitting that he loved the composition, Varun said, “I will request Karan Johar to include the song in the next film he casts Alia and me.” Owing to Rishabh’s admiration for his first co-star, Varun had even brought along a dupatta that the actress had worn in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.

Neha Kakkar, who features as a judge on the show and has given playback for the song “Garmi” in Street Dancer 3D, performed it on stage with the actor, while Varun made everyone, including Neha’s fellow judge Vishal Dadlani, perform the hook step of the song.