Singer Abhijeet Sawant, who won the inaugural season of Indian Idol over two decades ago, has opened up about his humble beginnings — performing at small stages and pandals across Mumbai for as little as ₹50, with audience members sometimes slipping cash into his pocket just so he could afford a meal.

Early Struggles and Small-Stage Beginnings

Sawant described how every opportunity to perform — however modest — felt like the happiest day of his life. Reflecting on those formative years, he said: 'Jab mujhe chhote-chhote stage par mujhe gaane ka mauka milta tha, us din mera sabse happiest day of my life ho jata hai. Mujhe aaj bhi yaad hai jab main chhote-chhote performances karta tha, chhote pandalo mein gaata tha, aur kabhi-kabhi 100 rupaye milte the, kabhi-kabhi kisi ne khushi-khushi 50 rupaye tika diye, aise pocket mein rakh dete the ki jaa beta jaa aaj, you know, aaj kuch kha lena aisa karke..'

In translation: 'Whenever I got an opportunity to sing on a small stage, that day would become the happiest day of my life. I still remember performing at small events and singing in little pandals. Sometimes I would receive ₹100, and sometimes someone would happily put ₹50 into my pocket, saying, Go on, son, have something to eat today.'

Ups, Downs, and the Emotional Anchor

Sawant was candid about the difficult phases that followed his rise to fame. He said that on his worst days, he draws strength not from success but from the memory of the love and encouragement he received when he had very little.

'Life mein ups and downs rahe. Kai baar aise din aaye jab utne acche nahi rahe. Bhale hi mera bura time kabhi bhi kahi agar aa jata hai ya kuch bhi din bura ho, us waqt main wohi emotions ke baare mein sochta hoon jinhone mujhe us waqt pyaar diya tha, jinhone mujhe ek hope di thi ki tu accha kar sakta hai. Woh hope mere dil mein abhi bhi hai..'

Translated: 'There have been ups and downs in life. Whenever I go through a difficult phase or have a bad day, I think about the people who gave me love during those times and gave me hope by telling me that I could do well. That hope is still in my heart.'

Audience as His Driving Force

The singer went further, comparing his audience to a higher power — a sentiment that speaks to how deeply he values the connection with those who listen to him. 'Agar bhagwan hame kabhi dikha nahi hai, toh hamari audience hame dikhti hai... aur woh bhi mere liye bhagwan ki tarah hi hai. And that's why I'm working, always working hard for myself,' he said.

The remark — 'Even if we have never seen God, we can see our audience, and for me, they are just like God' — captures the philosophy that has kept him grounded through decades in the industry.

The Indian Idol Journey, Two Decades On

Abhijeet Sawant became a household name when he clinched the title of the first-ever season of Indian Idol, a victory that launched him from the pandal circuit onto the national stage. The show, which aired roughly two decades ago, remains one of the most-watched editions in the franchise's history. His journey from ₹50 performances to televised stardom continues to resonate with aspiring singers across India as a testament to perseverance.