Manraj Veer Singh, often billed simply as Manraj Veer, is the singer who finished third on Indian Idol 16, as its second runner-up, when the season ended on 26 July 2026. Over a run that stretched from the November galas to the July finale, he moved between romantic Bollywood numbers, high-energy dance tracks and old classics, and drew public praise from judge Badshah along the way. In October 2026 he returned to Sony’s stage for Indian Idol Legends Return, where he sings as a duo with Indian Idol 15 winner Manasi Ghosh.
| Manraj Veer Singh — Quick Biography & Personal Details | |
|---|---|
| Name | Manraj Veer Singh |
| Also Credited As | Manraj Veer |
| Profession | Singer |
| Date of Birth | Not publicly known |
| Age | Not publicly known |
| Hometown | Not publicly known |
| Indian Idol 16 | Third place (second runner-up), 26 July 2026 |
| Prize Money | Rs 5 lakh |
| Now Competing In | Legends Return (Indian Idol 17), singing with Manasi Ghosh |
Manraj Veer Singh at a concert, October 2026.
Image: Manraj Veer Singh / Instagram (@manrajveerofficial)
Early Life and Background
Very little about Manraj’s life before television has been reported by mainstream outlets. No reliable publication has given his date of birth, his hometown or details of his family, so we have skipped them rather than repeat unconfirmed claims from fan and booking sites. We will add them if a trustworthy source publishes them.
Indian Idol 16 Journey (2025–2026)
Season 16 of the Sony Entertainment Television show opened on 18 October 2025 under the theme “Yaadon Ki Playlist”, with Badshah, Shreya Ghoshal and Vishal Dadlani on the judging panel and Aditya Narayan as host. It turned out to be the longest season the franchise has run, closing with a two-night grand finale on 25 and 26 July 2026. The season’s Wikipedia record tracks every song he sang.
The first galas
His opening gala song in the Top 16 week of 8–9 November was “Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane”, and it made an immediate mark. As Filmibeat recounted, Badshah followed his praise by taking out his wallet and handing Manraj a “shagun”, the customary gift of cash for good luck. Filmibeat also noted that Badshah singled out Manraj and Anshika Chonkar as having “playback-worthy” voices.
The next weekend, the first in which the public could vote, he sang “Zara Sa” and “Khuda Jaane” alongside playback singer Shilpa Rao. Around the same time, according to a Filmibeat report from November 2025, AP Dhillon liked and engaged with one of Manraj’s Instagram reels, a nod from one of the best-known names in Punjabi music.
Ups and downs through the winter
The run was not without scares. He was placed in the bottom three after singing “Apni to Jaise Taise”, but stayed in the competition. He also showed range in pairings, teaming with Diwakar Choubey on “Mujhse Shaadi Karogi” and “Do You Wanna Partner”, and in a solo set that combined “Badtameez Dil” with “Ho Jayegi Balle Balle”. In early January, with 13 singers left, he picked “Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka”, and on a patriotic night he sang “Rang De Basanti”. In the February round with 11 singers left, he chose the title track of “Muqaddar Ka Sikandar”, and for a Laxmikant–Pyarelal evening he paired “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi” with “Main Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana”.
Spring and summer: duets and the run to the finale
Later weeks brought several guest duets. He sang “Bang Bang” with Manasi Ghosh, and on a separate occasion the two performed “Kay Sera Sera” and “Ainvayi Ainvayi”, a preview of the partnership that would follow in 2026. He also joined Asees Kaur for a Sufi version of “Ve Kamleya” with “Auva Auva Koi Yahan Nache”, and was paired several times with fellow finalist Anshika Chonkar, including on “Mera Dil Na Todo” from Raja Babu.
On the 13–14 June weekend, with the Top 10 performing, he was declared safe after a KK song, “O Meri Jaan”. In the Top 7 he again came through safely with “Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein” and “Ole Ole”. The semi-final was a tribute to 60 years of Hema Malini, and there he sang “Tere Chehre Mein Woh Jadoo Hai” on the first night, then “Tu Mere Sapnon Ki Rani Banegi” with the male version of “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana” on the second.
Finale result
Six singers reached the grand finale: Jyotirmayee Nayak, Tanishk Shukla, Manraj, Suhail Sufi, Anshika Chonkar and Myscmme Bosu. As the Free Press Journal reported, Odisha’s Jyotirmayee Nayak won the title. Wikipedia’s results table puts Tanishk Shukla second and Manraj third, making him the second runner-up, and Boldsky listed his prize as Rs 5 lakh, against Rs 20 lakh for the winner.
Selected Indian Idol 16 performances
| Round | Song(s) |
|---|---|
| Top 16 (8–9 November) | Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane |
| Top 16 (15–16 November) | Zara Sa, Khuda Jaane (with Shilpa Rao) |
| Top 13 (3–4 January) | Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka |
| Top 11 (7–8 February) | Muqaddar Ka Sikandar |
| Top 10 (13–14 June) | O Meri Jaan (KK song) |
| Top 7 | Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein, Ole Ole |
| Semi-final (Hema Malini tribute) | Tere Chehre Mein Woh Jadoo Hai; Tu Mere Sapnon Ki Rani Banegi, Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana |
Indian Idol 17: Legends Return with Manasi Ghosh (2026)
Less than three months after his finale, Manraj was back. The seventeenth season, Legends Return, premiered on 17 October 2026 with Himesh Reshammiya judging and Aditya Narayan hosting. Per Adgully, it gathers 24 singers from earlier seasons who compete as 12 duos, with weekend episodes at 8 PM on Sony and Sony LIV. A twist this time: other singers in the cast hand out scores too, not only Himesh.
The cast list reported by Indian Broadcasting World, pairs Manraj with Manasi Ghosh, the Indian Idol 15 winner. IANS also named him among the Season 16 runners-up taking part, alongside Anshika Chonkar and Tanishk Shukla. Our Indian Idol 17 contestants list shows all 12 pairs.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Badshah handed him a “shagun” after his very first gala performance on Indian Idol 16.
- AP Dhillon liked and engaged with one of his Instagram reels during the season.
- He and his Legends Return partner Manasi Ghosh had already sung together on Season 16, on “Bang Bang” and later “Kay Sera Sera” with “Ainvayi Ainvayi”.
- Season 16, the season he finished third in, was the longest run in Indian Idol history.
FAQ About Manraj Veer Singh
Who is Manraj Veer Singh?
He is a singer who placed third on Indian Idol 16 (second runner-up) and now sings with Manasi Ghosh on Legends Return.
What was Manraj Veer Singh’s position in Indian Idol 16?
He came third, as second runner-up. Jyotirmayee Nayak won and Tanishk Shukla was first runner-up.
How much prize money did Manraj Veer win?
Boldsky reported a prize of Rs 5 lakh for the second runner-up.
How old is Manraj Veer Singh?
No reliable outlet has published his date of birth, so his age is not publicly known.
Where is Manraj Veer Singh from?
His hometown has not been reported by a reliable source.
Who is Manraj Veer’s partner in Indian Idol 17?
Manasi Ghosh, the winner of Indian Idol 15.
What was Manraj Veer’s first gala song on Indian Idol 16?
“Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane”, after which Badshah gave him a “shagun”.
What is Manraj Veer Singh’s net worth?
Published reports give no dependable figure for his earnings.
Related Biographies
- Manasi Ghosh Biography: Indian Idol 15 winner and his Legends Return partner
- Anshika Chonkar Biography: a fellow Indian Idol 16 finalist, also back for Legends Return
- Subhajit Chakraborty Biography: another Idol alumnus back on the show this season
- Indian Idol 17 Contestants List: Manraj’s co-stars, pair by pair
