Five top Bolly singers who started out on reality shows and have performed in the UAE

Shreya Ghoshal

Show: Sa Re Ga Ma (Winner, 2000)

Filmfare Awards: Nominations – 19 / Winner – 4 (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009)

One of the most decorated singers of the modern times, Shreya Ghoshal has won four Filmfare and four National Film Awards. She has also been nominated for a Filmfare award every year since 2006, her streak of 10 bettered only by Alka Yagnik's 14 consecutive nominations. A child prodigy, Ghoshal won the Children's Special Episode of the popular talent show Sa Re Ga Ma in 1996, She went on to win the season in 2000. Her hits include Dola Re (Devdas), Piyu Bole (Parineeta), Manwa Laage (Happy New Year!). Shreya is in Abu Dhabi on August 15, to coincide with India's Independence Day. She last performed in the UAE in November 14 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Sunidhi Chauhan

Show: Meri Awaz Suno (Winner, 1996)

Filmfare Awards: Nominations – 14 / Winner – 2 (2007, 2011)

One of the most bankable voices today in Bollywood, Sunidhi sang at a sold-out concert in the capital during Abu Dhabi Summer Season in 2014. She shot to national limelight in the days before cable television took over India, and won the talent show Meri Awaz Suno at the age of 13. Thus began a musical journey during which Chauhan has sung more than 3,000 songs, including chart-topping party numbers such as Sheila Ki Jawani (Tees Maar Khan) and Beedi Jalaile (Omkara). Hailed as one of the most versatile singers of her generation, she has won numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2014 for Kamli (Dhoom 3). Chauhan is an accomplished live performer and nearly always interacts with the crowd.

Arijit Singh

Show: Fame Gurukul (Finalist, 2005)

Filmfare Awards: Nominations – 3 / Winner – 1 (2014)

The song Tum Hi Ho (Aashiqui 2) marked Arijit Singh's arrival onto the big stage. He became an overnight success, and at 26, the youngest recipient of the Filmfare's Best Male Singer award. Following up this success with the likes of Mast Magan (2 States) and Suno Na Sangemarmar (Youngistaan), Singh has proved himself to be more than a one-song wonder. His journey began in 2005 on the reality show Fame Gurukul, where he lost the finals. Singh has since gone on to sing for movies such as Murder 2, Agent Vinod and Shanghai. But it was 2013's Aashiqui 2 that got Singh the status he enjoys now. Arijit has already performed in the UAE twice this year – once in January (Arijit Singh Live in Dubai) and then later in June (Unplugged Nights at Hard Rock Cafe, also Dubai). His concerts are always sold out and there's rarely any standing space.

Monali Thakur

Show: Indian Idol (9th Position, 2006)

Filmfare Awards: Nominations – 1 / Winner – 1 (2014)

Daughter of famous Bengali singer Shakti Thakur, Monali participated in Indian Idol before her Bollywood debut, and is best known for the hits Zara Zara Touch Me (Race), Anjaana Anjaani (Anjaana Anjaani) and the Filmfare award winning Sawar Loon (Lootera). Spurred on by her success, the 29-year-old has also given acting a chance and won accolades for her performance in Lakshmi (2014), directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. She last performed in the UAE in 2014, as part of the Salaam Dubai concert.

Harshdeep Kaur

Show: Junoon – Kuch Kar Dikhaane Ka (2008)

Filmfare Awards: Nominations – 1 / Winner – None

Clad in her customary Sufi attire and turban, Harshdeep Kaur got her big break in 2008 when she won Junoon – Kuch Kar Dikhaane Ka under the tutelage of Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. Since then, the 28-year-old has gone on to make a name for herself with songs such as Katiya Karoon (Rockstar), Ik Onkar (Rang De Basanti), and Kabira (Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani). Harshdeep last performed in the UAE in May 2014 (MTV Unplugged, Dubai).

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