The versatile and charming Ayushmann Khurana, has donned the hat of a composer, singer, actor and even a VJ in his decade-long career in the Industry. However, not many know that this talented actor had to also go through a lot of rejections and struggle in his journey to stardom and fame. Ayushmann Khurana was on the sets of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs along with music composer Anu Malik to promote their upcoming movie Dum Laga Ke Haisha. The theme of the day was Holi and the Li’l Champs set the stage on fire with their outstanding performances on various evergreen and colourful Holi songs.

Ayushmann who has proved his singing abilities with hits like ‘Pani da rang’ and ‘Mitti di khushboo’, was seen enjoying immensely and didn’t shy away from singing along with the contestants. Looking at the talented Li’l Champs, the actor was forced to go down memory lane and spill the beans on his journey in the industry. He said it was an honour for him to be part of a film which has music by veteran music composer Anu Malik and to be on the show and perform in front of him, as years back when he auditioned for a music reality show on which Anu Malik was a judge, he was rejected outright by him in the first round itself!

On the other hand, the captain of the girls team Monali Thakur took this opportunity to thank Anu Malik for living up to his promise. A couple of years ago, Monali had also participated in the same contest and was selected by the composer himself. But as destiny had it, she was eliminated in one of the final rounds. So when a disheartened Monali was leaving the show, judge Anu Malik had walked up to her and promised to give her work. Seven years later, Anu Malik has lived up to his promise and asked Monali to sing a soulful rendition ‘Mooh mooh ke dhaage’ in the upcoming Yashraj film Dum Laga Ke Haisha which has Ayushmann Khurana as the lead. To pay a tribute to her mentor Anu Malik, Monali then came on stage and sang the song for the audience and left everybody spellbound.

As the theme of the show was holi and the atmosphere was one of vibrant, colorful performances of the Li’l Champs, the ace composer Anu Malik decided to go a step further and compose an-all new holi number on the sets. The in-house composer, Li’l Champ Gagan Gaonkar was called on stage to accompany him. So while Anu gave the lyrics and beats, Gagan added the melody and within minutes the entire set was crooning ‘Aaj ka din hai , holi ka din hai aao manale Holi’ and thus the next Holi party anthem was born!

The Li’l Champs who impressed the Captains and special guests alike with their performances were Arunita Kanjilal who sang ‘Piya sang holi khelo’ and Keshav Tyohar who sang ‘Holi khele raghuveera’.

Catch the Holi special episode this weekend.