The Yas Island special will air on Sony Entertainment Television and stream on Sony LIV at 8pm on February 21 and 22
After 20 years of discovering singing talent across India, Indian Idol has taken a major step onto the global stage. The popular music reality show recently filmed special episodes at Yas Island, marking its first international shoot in the UAE.
The cast and crew arrived in Abu Dhabi earlier this week to record two special episodes set to air on February 21 and 22, 2026. Filming took place at Warner Bros. World, adding a dramatic backdrop to the performances.
Judge Vishal Dadlani, who has been part of the show for seven consecutive seasons since 2018, described the UAE shoot as an important milestone. He said the move shows how the programme now reaches audiences far beyond India
Interestingly, Dadlani does not see himself as a “judge” in the strict sense. He prefers to act as a mentor and friend to the contestants. For him, honest feedback is vital, but it must encourage rather than discourage. He believes pointing out mistakes and guiding improvement is one of the most valuable things a young singer can receive.
Reflecting on memorable contestants, he praised past participants such as Salman Ali and Sneha Shankar, while noting that this season’s Diwakar Choubey has raised the bar from day one.
Joining the Abu Dhabi episodes as a special guest judge is playback singer Madhubanti Bagchi. She said performing in a different country brings out fresh artistic expression in contestants, as they adapt to new surroundings and audiences.
Despite being on air for two decades, Indian Idol continues to feel fresh, largely because of its contestants. Even during the pandemic, the production team worked through strict measures to keep the show running, aiming to bring joy to viewers.
