Abhijeet Sawant recalls late Balasaheb Thackeray offering him HELP after being called HOMELESS: 'Tujha ghar..'

Abhijeet Sawant, the winner of the first season of Indian Idol, recently shared a story from his early days during an interview with Hindi Rush. He spoke about how a newspaper once called him “homeless” on its front page, and how that led to a surprising offer from late Shiv Sena leader Balasaheb Thackeray.

Abhijeet said that he and his family were living in a BMC quarters at the time. One day, a journalist came to visit them. He noticed a warning sign outside the building. Abhijeet explained, "Udhar ek hai ki bahar notice lagi hui hai ki 'Ye building asurakshit hai. Aap apne bharose par reh rahe ho.' Aaj bhi jaaoge, aaj bhi woh building ke niche woh poster milegi. Building abhi bhi sahi hai. Woh aadmi woh padh ke upar aa gaya."

After the interview, the journalist asked Abhijeet about the poster. Abhijeet told him that they were planning to move out soon and were already searching for a new place. “Photo liya. Mumbai ka bada newspaper hai voh, aisa vaisa nahi. Front page chappa, 'Abhijeet Sawant Homeless.’'

Though Abhijeet had enough money after winning Indian Idol to buy a home, the headline created a wrong image. This report reached Balasaheb Thackeray, who then invited Abhijeet to his house. He said, “Balasaheb Thackeray unhone muje ghar bhi offer kiya uske baad.”

Abhijeet, recalling the meeting, shared what Balasaheb told him. He reveals, "Aisa sab mai padha. Mera ek banda hai. Voh builder hai. Mai usko phone karega. Voh teko chaavi lake de dega. Tujha ghar. Rakh le tu."

Aisa sab mai padha. Mera ek banda hai. Voh builder hai. Mai usko phone karega. Voh teko chaavi lake de dega. Tujha ghar. Rakh le tu

- Abhijeet Sawant

Abhijeet thanked him for the kind gesture but said no, because he had already arranged a home. "Sir, nahi. Maine liya hai. Advance booking kiya hai. Mai purane ghar isiliye reh rha hu kyuki muje pasand hai udar rehna,'' Abhijeet reveals telling the late Balasaheb Thackeray.