Singer Neha Kakkar is one of the most popular voices in Bollywood today, known for chartbusters like Kaala Chashma, Dilbar, Aankh Marey and O Saki Saki. But her journey to fame was not easy. Years ago, during her audition for Indian Idol, she faced rejection and even embarrassment on stage.
Anu Malik Slapped Himself After Neha’s Audition
Neha appeared in Season 2 of Indian Idol as a young contestant, full of dreams and determination. At that time, the judges were Anu Malik, Sonu Nigam, and Farah Khan. She performed the song Aisa Lagta Hai from the film Refugee, along with another contestant. Unfortunately, the performance failed to impress the panel.
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What happened next shocked everyone. Judge Anu Malik expressed his disappointment in a very dramatic way. He told Neha, “Teri awaaz sun kar lagta hai main apne mooh par maaroon thappad” (Listening to your voice makes me want to slap myself). To prove his point, he actually slapped himself in front of the contestants and audience. This left Neha stunned and speechless on stage. Sonu Nigam and Farah Khan also agreed that her singing did not meet the standard at that time.
Although the rejection was tough, Neha did not give up on her dream. After some years of struggle, she finally got her first break in Bollywood with the song Second Hand Jawaani from the film Cocktail. The track gave her much-needed recognition, and from there, her career slowly took off.
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Soon, Neha delivered one hit after another. Songs like Dilbar, Aankh Marey, and Kaala Chashma became instant successes, making her a household name. She also returned to Indian Idol later, not as a contestant, but as a judge, proving how far she had come in her career.
Neha Kakkar’s journey shows that criticism and rejection are not the end, but a stepping stone to success. What once brought her humiliation eventually became a story of resilience and triumph. Today, she is one of the most loved playback singers in India, admired not only for her songs but also for her inspiring story.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
