Sangeeth on 20 years of Super Star: Thanks to the 'no social media' era, we didn't even know the reach of the show

Time of India

10-07-2025

Sangeeth, winner of 'Super Star' in 2005, reflects on the show's lasting impact. He cherishes the recognition and the unique format that allowed improvisation, accompanied by Stephen's piano. Sangeeth values his friendship with fellow contestant Job Kurian, emphasizing their supportive camaraderie. He fondly recalls his performances and the mentorship from judges like Bala Bhaskar.
Remember that electrifying finale where Job and Sangeeth wowed everyone with their incredible vocal talent? In a thrilling neck-and-neck competition, it was Sangeeth who ultimately clinched the title, earning cheers from music lovers everywhere.
Even two decades later, fans still celebrate Super Star and Sangeeth's unforgettable journey. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the singer reflects on the show that transformed his life.
"Blessed, that's the word I always use to describe the love I received through Super Star. Even after 20 years, people still recognize me as 'Sangeeth from Super Star,' and that's truly an honour. Winning a place in the hearts of the Malayali audience isn't easy, and I owe it all to the show," he shared.
Super Star premiered in 2005, at a time when the reality show format was still relatively new to the Kerala audience. Yet, despite being the first of its kind, it remains one of the best to this day.
'Back then, there was no social media, so we didn't immediately realize the impact the show was having. The only feedback we received came through letters and phone calls to the studio. But soon, we started feeling the buzz, every time we stepped out, people began recognizing us, and it was honestly a shock.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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The reality show format was new not just for the audience, but for us contestants as well. Though I had previously won Gandharvasangeetham, this format was entirely different.
I had been singing at Ganamelas since a very young age, so performing live on a TV show wasn't too much of a challenge for me,' he added.
However, Sangeeth shared that the experience he gained from Super Star played a crucial role in shaping him as a singer.
'Maybe it was the unique format of the show that made it so popular and timeless. We had just one instrument accompanying us, Stephen's piano. We weren't asked to sing songs exactly as they were; instead, we were given the freedom to improvise and present them like unplugged versions, and this was 20 years ago. The conversations with fellow contestants, the judges, and the entire team, it was all an incredible learning experience,' he recollected.
When talking about Sangeeth's victory, there's another name that instantly comes to mind for every Super Star fan — none other than Job Kurian.
'He's a friend for life. We weren't competitors, we were just two friends immersed in music. The whole team felt like a family. Not once did any of us think about 'defeating' the other. We'd go to the floor together, practice together, cheer each other on, and simply enjoy the entire process.
Back then, we didn't know much about the world of reality shows or the buzz around it, thanks to the 'no social media' era. Towards the end, it was just Job and me in the competition.
Honestly, we tried every song we could, just to keep the show going,' he shared with a smile.
Recollecting his most cherished moment on the show, Sangeeth fondly remembered his widely acclaimed rendition of 'Oh Dilruba'.
'Every performance was special. Whether it was 'Oh Dilruba', 'Poi Sollakoodathu Kathali', or 'Koyi Kahe' in the finale, I loved them all. Even the final moment itself was unforgettable. But it wasn't just about the performances—every interaction with the judges was incredibly meaningful. Be it Bala Bhaskar,
Deepak Dev
, Alphonse, or Stephen Devassy, they were the best mentors we could have ever asked for,' Sangeeth shared.
When asked to share one piece of advice for young singers, Sangeeth emphasized the importance of first understanding the feel of the song.
'People often say I sing difficult songs with such ease. But it's never really easy, I simply do my best to capture and convey the true feel of the song. We can never sing exactly like KJ Yesudas or KS Chithra, but the least we can do is try to present the emotion and essence they brought to the music,' says the much-loved singer.
Though Sangeeth recently made a striking comeback with the re-release of Chotta Mumbai and his song 'Nombaram Kalayum Naalam Nee' was celebrated once again, viewers still find themselves asking him, 'Where are you?'
'Well, I haven't gone anywhere, I'm doing very well here. I'm settled in Kochi, balancing playback singing, stage shows, and independent music. The last song I sang was for the movie Alappuzha Gymkhana. I'm not very active on social media, and maybe that's why people feel like they miss me. But I take that as a blessing, after 20 years, they still remember me and look for updates. That, in itself, is a true blessing,' he concluded.