The Latest

From Polishing Shoes To Winning Indian Idol 11, Map Sunny Hindustani’s Inspiring Journey

byLoveleen Kaur
24th February 2020
3 minute read

India is a country that has immensely talented people at every nook, waiting for that one life-changing opportunity. Be it Ranu Mondal, Kolkata’s Somersaulting kids or the weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, all of them have a backstory that inspires millions of people. And among them is another young lad who rose from the dusty streets of Bathinda to become the winner of Indian Idol season 11.

https://twitter.com/SonyTV/status/1231640996900769793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-37522646574249590766.ampproject.net%2F2002200031230%2Fframe.html

Sunny Hindustani who once used to polish shoes in Punjab was announced the winner of the popular singing reality show, reported News18. He was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 25 lakh and an opportunity to sing in the next T-series project. However, his journey to fame wasn’t easy. Ever since Sunny auditioned for the show, his efforts have been applauded by people online.

When Indian Idol co-judge Neha Kakkar asked Sunny what he does for a living, he said that he is a shoe shiner while his mother sells balloons in Punjab. In his audition rape he mentioned:

“It would hurt me so much to watch my mother beg people for rice. I would sing while shining shoes and always thought to myself that I will make something of myself.”

Sunny’s love for music since his early days made him sing at several religious events.

“Our family used to go to a religious place in Sangria in Rajasthan where qawwalis were sung by artists. I liked qawwalis of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. When I was 11 years old, I was singing in a street and some people recognised my talent and made me sing on the stage,” he said to HT in an earlier interview.

However, after his father died in 2014, he had to take up shoe-shining as a means to feed his family.

“My father Nanak Ram was also a singer and used to sing in fairs besides polishing shoes outside the bus stand. After his death in 2014, I took up the boot polishing work to feed the family. I had to drop out of school after Class 6. But I continued to practise music at home,” he added.

Soon after making his mark on the show, he was given an opportunity to make his playback singing debut with Emraan Hashmi’s film ‘The Body’ in which he sang the track ‘Rom Rom’, said reports.

https://twitter.com/SonyTV/status/1231648025115627521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fd-37522646574249590766.ampproject.net%2F2002200031230%2Fframe.html

After winning the trophy, Sunny told The Indian Express:

“I had not thought of getting through the first round, leave alone winning the competition. I have come a long way and can’t believe that the journey has just started.”

“From getting the opportunity to sing on such a big platform to winning the show is like all my dreams come true. I will always be thankful to the judges for mentoring and guiding me and to Sony Entertainment Television for giving me a platform to perform in front of legends of the music industry and an opportunity to meet so many stars. I can’t believe that the whole of India heard my voice and voted for me wholeheartedly to make me Desh ki Awaaz.”

Sunny’s story has inspired fans all over the country who took to social media to congratulate him:

https://twitter.com/mr_satyam_k9_/status/1231649412524519424

https://twitter.com/AnneMarie_0416/status/1231651545885921285

They say hard work pays off and Sunny is a living example of this. Congratulations champ, keep on shining, tumhara time aagaya!

📣 Storypick is now on Telegram! Click here to join our channel (@storypick) and never miss another great story.