Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
The 3iii Talent Foundation proudly announces the successful completion of the 9th season of INTERNATIONAL INDIAN ICON (3iii)—its most expansive, diverse, and globally celebrated edition to date. Hosted from November 28th to 30th, 2025, at The Matrix Club in Naperville, Illinois, Season-9 brought together extraordinary talent from across the world, reaffirming the platform’s commitment to elevating Indian arts, culture, and performance on a truly international stage.
Season 9 marked a historic milestone, recording more than 10,000+ global registrations from over 39 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. Participants competed across the multi-tiered structure of online video auditions through video upload and online LIVE auditions, conducted internationally. From these extensive audition rounds, 150 semifinalists advanced to the Chicago Episode Production, each of them bringing dedication, passion, and artistic excellence to the global 3iii stage.
The on-site episode production of 3iii Season-9 2025 unfolded as a vibrant cinematic and cultural spectacle, spanning three days of multi-camera filming, celebrity mentoring, live performances, and iconic red-carpet moments. The event was honored by the presence of Bollywood legend and Grand Master Jatin Pandit, alongside a distinguished panel of judges representing diverse categories—singing, dancing, fashion, acting, instrumental music, and unique talent formats. Haley Bhardwaj, Director of Simantikos Dance Academy (Chicago), served as the judge for the dance category, while Rami Mital, Miss Universe USA & Mrs. Illinois Bharat 2026, and Director of Ark Medical Revenue Management Group, one of the event’s key sponsors, led the Fashion Category as the primary judge. Anchors Sonia Keshwani, Raahul Jatin and Ajai Kumar brought exceptional energy, charisma, and warmth to the stage, adding a dynamic presence to the 3iii Season-9 journey.
The 3iii platform continues to stand as a uniquely inclusive movement, open to all age groups, genders, cultures, and backgrounds. Participants compete in categories such as Singing, Dancing, Acting, Instruments, Fashion, Comedy, and IGT (I‑Got‑Talent), with no restrictions on artistic expression. Non‑Indian participants can also compete by showcasing an element of Indian culture through language, dance forms, attire, or musical traditions.
The 3iii Talent Foundation acknowledges the exceptional leadership and guidance of its Board of Directors, whose collective vision and dedication were pivotal in making 3iii Season-9 (2025) a resounding success. The Board comprising Founder & CEO Sharan Walia, and Executive Board of Directors Brij Sharma, Yogi Bharadwaj, Dileep Shrivastava, Swetalina Ahuja, Dr. Hitesh Bhatt, Vinni Walia, Ishita Walia and Palak Walia played a transformative role in shaping the event’s direction, scale, and execution. Each member contributed strategic insight, organizational stewardship, and unwavering commitment to advancing the Foundation’s mission of providing a global platform for talent and cultural expression. Their combined expertise across business, arts, community leadership, media, and technology created the strong foundation upon which Season-9 achieved its remarkable impact and global reach.
As 3iii continues to expand each year, Founder & CEO Sharan Walia remains unwavering in his vision of building a global cultural bridge—one that elevates Indian arts and talent, giving them the recognition, visibility, and creative freedom they deserve on international stages. Under his leadership, and with the dedicated support of core team members Rahul Kundu, Naresh Shastri, and Damini Datta, the execution of the world’s first global non-profit talent platform reached a defining milestone.
The Season-9 production stands as a testament to this mission, showcasing an exceptional blend of scale, quality, and worldwide participation—reflecting 3iii’s continued commitment to empowering talent and celebrating cultural excellence.
The success of 3iii Season-9 (2025) was strengthened by the valued support and contributions of esteemed sponsors and partners, each bringing remarkable credibility and momentum to the event. The Grand Finale was graced by Darshan Dhaliwal, Director of Dhaliwal Enterprises, who attended as the Chief Guest of Honor, adding distinguished presence through his longstanding legacy in business and philanthropic leadership. The Fashion Category received exceptional endorsement from Sunil Bhatia, Director of MyFashion.com, whose commitment to creativity and industry excellence enhanced the platform for emerging fashion talent. Significant support was also extended by Rami Mital, Director of Ark Medical Revenue Management and a prominent contributor to 3iii Season-9, recognized for championing growth and opportunity for global performers. Brij Sharma, owner of Power Volt Group and Power Gen AI LLC, played an influential role as a driving force for innovation and technology, aligning strongly with the event’s forward-looking vision. Additional recognition goes to RJ Anya Ahuja, owner of Anya International, acknowledged for her dynamic encouragement of cultural and community-focused initiatives. Culinary partnership was led by Rajat Sahani, owner of Shimla Peppers, whose authentic flavors enriched the event’s hospitality experience. Premium accommodation for artists, judges, and production crew was facilitated by Sunny Shah, owner of Holiday Inn, as the official Stay Partner for Season-9. Esteemed mentor Pratibha Phadke, owner of A3P Connections, further contributed through her guidance, expertise, and commitment to nurturing the personal and artistic growth of participants. Together, these distinguished partners elevated 3iii Season-9 with unparalleled support, enabling a truly global celebration of culture, creativity, and talent.
The Winners are:
Singing – Junior Category Results:
According to the official results document, the Singing Junior category winner is Nitika Pande from the USA, who earned the top title through her exceptional vocal performance and artistic expression. The first runner‑up is Mishka Kacholiya from the USA, followed by two second runner‑ups: Tharani Somanathan from the UK and Rayyan Ariff from the UK. Judges’ Choice recognitions were awarded to Saanvi Chandna (USA), Renia Ganguly (UK), Prasheeta Mohanty (USA), and Sahithi Yalamanchli (Canada).
Singing – Senior Category Results:
In the Singing Senior category, the Season‑9 winner is Razin Syed from the USA, celebrated for his powerful voice and stage presence. The first runner‑up position was secured by Zain Baig (USA), while the second runner‑up was awarded to Luoyi Pan (USA). Judges’ Choice recognitions were presented to Ranjita Roy (USA), Caren Mempin (USA), Arwyn Anish (UK), Soumya Mahapatra (UK), and Shayan Mukherjee (USA).
Singing – Super Senior Category Results:
The Super Senior Singing title was won by Raj Kewalramani (USA), whose performance captivated the judges and audience alike. The first runner‑up was awarded to Murali M. Collur (USA), followed by the second runner‑up, Saigeetha Matta (USA). Judges’ Choice recognitions were extended to Bhavvika Merchant (USA), Rekha Mahbubani (USA), Kuldeep Sethi (USA), and Jayanta Mukherjee (USA).
Dancing – Junior Category Results:
The Dancing Junior winner of 3iii Season‑9 is Thejolakshmi Achari (USA), whose choreography and energy earned the top honor. The first runner‑up title went to Little Angels (USA), and the second runner‑up titles were shared by Saanvi Panda (USA) and Jaanvi Venkatesan (USA). Judges’ Choice recognitions were given to Classical Rhythms Dance Academy (USA), Sunshine Reynoldsburg Dance Group (USA), Reet Jain Parakh (USA), and Sataakshi Joshi (USA).
Dancing – Senior & Super Senior Category Results:
In the Senior category, Classical Rhythms Dance Academy (USA) secured the winner’s title for their exceptional stagecraft and precision. The first runner‑up was Dance Den Senior (USA), while the second runner‑up recognition was shared by Ritu Jain (USA) and Abhilasha Chawdhary Saxena (USA). In the Super Senior segment, the winner was Asha Mehta (USA), recognized for her expressive and graceful performance.
IGT – Junior Category Results:
The Junior IGT category winner is Sai Khusheel Krishna Bayya (USA), whose unique talent act stood out among the strong competition. The first runner‑up title was secured by Sabarish Rajagopal (USA), and the second runner‑up was awarded to Avismit Bhattacharya (USA). A Judges’ Choice honor was given to Shrihaan Mukherjee (USA).
IGT – Senior & Super Senior Category Results:
In the Senior category, the winner was Dinesh Sunar (USA), recognized for his unmatched Parkour performance that stunned audiences and judges. In the Super Senior segment, Judges’ Choice recognitions were awarded to Cris M. (USA) and Rekha Mahbubani (USA), acknowledging their creativity and artistic uniqueness.
The 3iii Talent Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to all winners, runner‑ups, and participants whose dedication made Season 9 an unforgettable celebration of global Indian talent. Each performer contributed to the cultural richness and artistic excellence of the 2025 edition, inspiring audiences worldwide.
Looking ahead, registrations for 3iii Season‑10 2026 will open in March 2026, with State and Country‑level competitions scheduled through November 2026. The Grand Finale location and production details will be announced soon, as the organization continues its mission to expand globally and bring Indian arts to international audiences.
