Did you know that popular singer Mukesh had to take a loan from a vegetable vendor to pay his kid’s school fees?

Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is the longest-running singing reality show format that has been ruling the hearts of audiences for almost 3 decades. After introducing the world to talented powerhouses like Shreya Ghoshal, Shekhar Ravijani, Kunal Ganjawala, Sugandha Mishra, Kamal Khan, Raja Hasan, and Vaishali Mhade who have carved a name for themselves in the industry, Zee TV is giving some exceptional young singing prodigies a chance to shine on the grandest stage once again with the 9th season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs. This season viewers are getting to watch a fresh panel of judges including Shankar Mahadevan, Anu Malik, and Neeti Mohan guide the young singing sensation with Bharti Singh entertaining one and all as the host.

As the top 12 contestants continue to mesmerize one and all with their fantastic singing, a surprise awaits the viewers this weekend as legendary playback singer – Nitin Mukesh will be seen gracing the special episode – ‘Celebrating 100 years of Mukesh’. While all the contestants gave some spectacular performances, Nitin Mukesh shared how his father, Mukesh Ji, faced a long period of struggle, even after giving the industry popular songs like ‘Awara Hoon’ and ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’. Listening to these inspiring stories, Shankar Mahadevan mentioned how it is going to inspire the kids and motivate them to work harder towards achieving their dreams.

Nitin Mukesh mentioned, “I have never heard of anyone’s struggle with so many ups and downs in life.  He has gone days without drinking water and eating food, but the strange thing is that he became ‘The Mukesh Ji’ after singing famous songs like ‘Awara Hoon’ and ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’, and yet struggled for six to seven years after that. There was a time when he couldn’t afford to pay the school fees for me and my sister. I still remember that there was a vegetable vendor near our house who absolutely loved Mukesh Ji and was so fond of his voice that he offered to lend him some money. That’s how Mukesh Ji paid our school fees, but, nor did he or the vendor ever let this information reach us. But our mother used to tell us everything, saying that ‘see how papa is going through a tough time’. These are the memories that I will never forget, and I pray that I can follow in his footsteps. He never gave up and always said that he will emerge as a winner, and he did.”

Shankar Mahadevan mentioned, “These stories are surely going to inspire and motivate all the contestants to work hard towards their dreams.”

Well, while Nitin Mukesh shared these interesting anecdotes of Mukesh Ji, wait till you watch all the mesmerizing performances of all the top 12 contestants this weekend.

To witness some more amazing moments, anecdotes and all the wonderful performances by the young singing prodigies, stay tuned to Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li’l Champs, every Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm, only on Zee TV!