Katra, Oct 18: Film personalities Deepak Prasher, Preeti Sapru, Ganesh Jain and Kumar Mohan have reached Katra to grace the Mega Final of the All India Devotional Song Competition (AIDSC), scheduled to be held on October 19 as part of the Navratra Festival 2026.
Interacting with the media, Rakesh Wazir, Chairman of the Navratra Festival’s All India Devotional Song Competition Committee and President of the Hotel and Restaurant Association, Katra, introduced the visiting personalities.
Prasher is known for his roles in films such as Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Nikaah and Sharaabi. Sapru, a prominent name in Punjabi cinema, has featured in films including Qurbani Jat Di, Lawaris, Nimmo, Yaari Jat Di, Avtaar and Sarpanch.
Ganesh Jain, Managing Director of Venus Records & Tapes Ltd, has produced more than 50 films, including Baazigar, Baadshah, Dhadkan, Josh and Main Khiladi Tu Anari. His upcoming film, Dhadkan 2, is scheduled for release shortly. Kumar Mohan is a noted film trade analyst and producer associated with films such as Libaas, Aarzoo and Adhura Aadmi.
The visiting personalities, along with other prominent figures from the media and film industry, will be part of the jury for the Mega Final.
The All India Devotional Song Competition is being organised by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the J&K Tourism Department and the PTC Network, in association with SMVD Narayana Super Speciality Hospital, J&K Bank, Nice Gems, Nidheesh Builders Jammu Pvt. Ltd., the Hotel and Restaurant Association Katra, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Jammu Region, and Yog Ashram Complex, with the active support of the district administration.
Wazir said the competition is celebrating its silver jubilee this year. Its primary objective is to promote devotional songs dedicated to Maa Vaishno Devi and provide singers from across the country with a platform in the holy town of Katra, while also promoting tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Mega Final will be held at Yog Ashram Complex, Katra, with free entry for the public. The event will be telecast live on PTC Punjabi Gold from 9 pm onwards. Besides performances by the finalists, renowned singers Inderjit Nikku, Shankar Sawhney, Sonali Dogra, Laisel Roy and Ravi Kumar will also perform.
Wazir said the competition has played a significant role in providing a platform to emerging singers, several of whom have gone on to establish themselves in the music and film industries. These include Himani Kapoor, Sonali Dogra, Mool Raj, Naveen Punjabi, Rajan Gill, Ravi Kumar, Sanjeet Kumar, Anjusha, Vanshika Jaral and Ananya.
Himani Kapoor has lent her voice to films such as Dil Diya Hai, Chingari, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Fool & Final and Bachna Ae Haseeno. Several other participants have also made their mark in the industry and performed well in reality shows such as Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Voice of Punjab and Awaz Punjab Di.
He said personalities from the film industry have contributed significantly to the competition over the years, and their presence continues to inspire aspiring singers who participate in the event.
The winner will receive gold worth Rs 3 lakh along with a recording contract with Venus Worldwide. The second- and third-place winners will receive Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively. The prizes will be presented during the Mega Final.
Earlier, during the quarter-final, Additional Superintendent of Police Katra Kameshwar Puri attended as the chief guest. Renowned folk singer Ustad Swarn Singh Yamla, former AIDSC winner Kiran Baba, cartoonist Sagar Kumar and Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhisham Dubey were among the distinguished guests.
Twenty participants competed in the quarter-final, of whom 10 singers — Stanzin, Mohinder Soni, Aarav Wazir, Ayati Sharma, Vicky Gill, Ojasvi Sharma, Anshu Krotra, Mukesh Kumar, Netra Tickoo and Manjeet — qualified for the Mega Final.
Ustad Swarn Singh Yamla and Kiran Baba also enthralled the audience with special performances as guest singers.
