Muscat: Haitham Mohammad Rafi, a 23-year-old Omani singer, was on Saturday crowned winner of the singing talent show, Dil Hai Hindustani, broadcast on Star Plus.
He is the first Omani and Arab to win the show.
Dil Hai Hindustani is a singing talent show that celebrates Bollywood music by featuring musical talents from across the globe.
This year it hosted participants from Russia, US, Oman and other countries.
Rafi, the soulful voice, won the hearts of millions of Indians and announced the winner of the show.
“I’m so grateful for everything I have in my life. I never imagined that a simple guy from Oman, who left his job aspiring to be a singer, would get so much love. I especially want to thank the lovely people of India who made me feel like home when I was hundreds of miles away from it,” he said.
“The contestants, crew and judges are like my family now. It will be difficult to imagine my life without them,” Haitham, a former banker said.
The show’s judges included filmmaker Karan Johar, music director Shekhar Ravjiani, rapper Badshah and singer Shalmali Kholgade.
Haitham also received the equivalent of 14,800 Omani riyals and a trophy for his win.
Sinjay Dalal, the director of Talent Hunters Oman, was the one who discovered Haitham.
“I knew he would win,” Dalal posted on his Facebook page.
“I’m proud that my decision to send him to the show was very fruitful,” his post read.
Haitham’s father, Mohammad Rafi, is also a well-known singer in Oman.
Meanwhile, social media users congratulated Haitham for his win.
