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Financial Hardship, Sang During Ganesh Utsav to Run Household! Abhijeet Sawant Reveals Industry's Dark Side
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News18•25-09-2026, 16:51
Financial Hardship, Sang During Ganesh Utsav to Run Household! Abhijeet Sawant Reveals Industry's Dark Side
- •Abhijeet Sawant, the first Indian Idol winner, recounted his early struggles and financial hardships.
- •After 10th grade, he needed money for education but faced financial strain at home.
- •He earned 100 rupees by singing at Ganesh Utsav pandals, which was a significant amount for him.
- •Recalled an incident where he was stranded with no money after spending 10 rupees on a bus ticket and 1 rupee on a call.
- •Despite winning Indian Idol, he struggled in Bollywood, highlighting how ego management often overshadowed artistic talent.
Key Questions Answered
Before winning Indian Idol, Abhijeet Sawant earned money by singing in Ganesh Utsav and other festival pandals, where he would barely make about 100 rupees.
Despite his immense popularity, Abhijeet faced struggles in Bollywood where he felt reality show titles became a curse and artists were judged more on managing egos than on their art.
When he was 15, Abhijeet spent 10 rupees on a bus ticket, but the bus broke down midway and he spent his last 1 rupee at an STD booth. Stranded and crying on a deserted road, a kind shopkeeper noticed him and safely dropped him home in his car.
