Richa Sharma steps in as Judge on Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa

Sona Mohapatra withdraws from the season owing to unavoidable circumstances

Soon after Zee TV’s iconic singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa kicked off its new season and a week after it revealed its top 15 contestants in the mega audition episode, the channel has roped in multi-talented singer Richa Sharma to step in as judge in place of Sona Mohapatra. The latter had to withdraw from the season as a result of unavoidable circumstances.

Zee TV Business Head Aparna Bhosle said, “We are extremely happy to welcome aboard Richa Sharma as a judge on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. She is immensely credible given her prolific body of work in the music industry. Having showcased her versatility across genres of music with a repertoire that ranges from Billo Rani to Sajdaa, she has the added facet of being an outstanding performer. We are sorry that Sona has had to leave us as we have immense regard for her as an artiste. We were looking forward to seeing her groom her gharana the way only she could and will happily work with her in the future, should a suitable opportunity arise. ”

Sona Mohapatra said, "“I won’t be part of the Judges panel on Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for the rest of the show’s season in 2018 & my place will be taken by one of my most favourite people in the music industry, the talented, warm & lovely Richa Sharma. I wish the channel, the show & contestants the very best & hope that they showcase some amazing music in the coming days. I will miss my #SonaKaGharana the most & count on my all-star team to win India’s heart with their performances in the coming weeks! “

Richa Sharma said, “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is the definitive platform for singing talent in the country, I have been a part of Zee TV from over a decade ago as host of the first ever non-fiction music show on television Antakshari and have been a part of episodes of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa as a special guest earlier. It is an honour and privilege to be a part of the panel of judges this season along with Shekhar & Wajid. I have the highest regards for Sona and love her as an artist & a person, I am sure she has done her best in selecting the finest talent from the audition process who are now a part of the gharana I inherit from her on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. I will give my best to help them scale their fullest potential and groom them into well-rounded music professionals. ”

Here's wishing Richa all the best for her stint as judge this season!