Salim Merchant was one of the three judges for the Fifth season of Indian Idol on Sony Entertainment Television (India). Later in 2012; Salim Merchant sang "Ishq Wala Love" opposite Neeti Mohan and Shekhar Ravjiani for which he received rave reviews from critics. The song topped the music lists for a long period of time; thus becoming a chart-buster and a high commercial success. "Ishq Wala Love" remains one of the most listened songs on gaana.com(Popular music website throughout the globe). In the annual Top 100 songs of Radio Mirchi; Ishq Wala Love featured in the top 30, ranking at No. 13 respectively. The song became the biggest hit of Student of the Year as well as Salim Merchant's all-time biggest critical and commercial success till date.