Arijit Singh is an acclaimed Indian singer, composer, and music producer who rose to become one of the most prominent male playback singers in Hindi cinema. With hundreds of recordings and a massive following in India and among the global Indian diaspora, he has become one of the defining voices of modern Bollywood music.
Arijit Singh was born on April 25, 1987, in Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India. He grew up surrounded by music, with members of his maternal family involved in the field. His musical education began during childhood, when he received formal training in several Indian musical traditions.
He studied Hindustani classical music under Rajendra Prasad Hazari, while also receiving training in tabla and Rabindra Sangeet. His strong classical foundation later helped him develop the versatility to perform romantic ballads, Sufi-inspired compositions, pop songs, ghazals, and traditional Indian music.
At 18, Singh auditioned for the television music competition Fame Gurukul. Although he did not win the competition, the experience introduced him to a wider audience and helped him establish connections within India’s music industry.
After relocating to Mumbai, he initially worked behind the scenes as a music programmer. He collaborated with prominent composers such as Pritam, Mithoon, Vishal-Shekhar, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. These experiences gave him valuable insight into music production and Bollywood recording.
His early playback work included songs such as “Phir Mohabbat” from Murder 2, followed by projects including “Raabta” from Agent Vinod and “Phir Le Aya Dil” from Barfi!.
Arijit Singh’s major breakthrough arrived in 2013 with “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2. The song became a huge Bollywood hit and transformed Singh into one of the industry’s most sought-after singers.
His performance earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer and established his distinctive voice as a major presence in Hindi romantic music.
Following the success of Aashiqui 2, Singh became one of Bollywood’s most prolific playback singers. His voice appeared in films featuring many of India’s leading actors, while his songs became popular across radio, streaming platforms, and social media.
Among his widely recognized recordings are “Channa Mereya,” “Agar Tum Saath Ho,” “Gerua,” “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil,” “Khairiyat,” “Shayad,” “Kesariya,” “Apna Bana Le,” and “Hawayein.”
His ability to move between different musical styles helped him remain relevant across multiple generations of Bollywood audiences.
Singh has received numerous major honors for his contribution to Indian music. His achievements include two National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer and eight Filmfare Awards.
In 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s prestigious civilian honors, in recognition of his contribution to the arts.
Although playback singing established Singh’s fame, live performances became an increasingly important part of his career. He has performed for audiences across India and internationally, including in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
In September 2025, Singh made history by becoming the first Indian artist to headline a stadium in the United Kingdom when he performed at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Singh’s popularity has extended far beyond Bollywood. His enormous streaming audience has made him one of the world’s most-followed artists on Spotify.
In 2025, he surpassed major international stars including Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran to become the most-followed artist on Spotify worldwide, demonstrating the extraordinary global reach of Indian music.
In January 2026, Singh announced that he would stop accepting new playback-singing assignments. However, he clarified that the decision was not a retirement from music.
Instead, he planned to focus more heavily on independent music, Indian classical traditions, live performances, and other creative projects. The decision marked a significant change for an artist who was still at the peak of his commercial success.
Singh has increasingly explored music outside the conventional Bollywood system through Oriyon Music, a platform for independent releases and creative projects.
His work in this area allows him to participate as a singer, composer, producer, and curator while having greater creative control over his music.
Arijit Singh married his childhood friend Koel Roy in 2014, and they have two sons. Despite his immense popularity, he has generally maintained a private lifestyle and avoided the highly publicized celebrity culture associated with many Bollywood stars.
He has also remained connected to his hometown of Jiaganj and participates in charitable initiatives through the Tatwamasi Foundation, which supports areas such as education, healthcare, sports, environmental programs, and opportunities for underserved communities.
Arijit Singh has established himself as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Indian music. From his classical training and early work behind the scenes to his breakthrough with Tum Hi Ho, international tours, record-breaking streaming following, and independent musical projects, his career reflects remarkable artistic growth.
His decision in 2026 to move beyond traditional Bollywood playback singing further demonstrates his desire to explore new creative directions while maintaining the musical identity that made him one of India’s most celebrated singers.