Arijit Singh Bio: The Voice of Modern Bollywood, Age, Height, Family, Recent Works, Net Worth & Why He Is India’s Most Popular Singer

Arijit Singh is a globally renowned Indian playback singer and music composer, widely considered the most influential and successful voice in contemporary Bollywood music. As an Indian national of Bengali and Sikh heritage, he has redefined the romantic ballad genre and garnered an unprecedented international following through his soulful texture and technical versatility. In this comprehensive biography, we explore his humble beginnings in West Bengal, his rise through reality television, and the specific factors that have cemented his status as India’s most popular singer in 2026.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Childhood

Arijit Singh was born on April 25, 1987, in the quiet town of Jiaganj in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal. His upbringing was a unique cultural blend; his father, Kakkar Singh, is a Punjabi Sikh, while his mother, Aditi Singh, was a Bengali. This multicultural environment deeply influenced his early musical sensibilities. Music was ingrained in his family DNA—his mother was a singer and played the tabla, and his maternal aunt was trained in Indian classical music.

School Years

Arijit attended Raja Bijay Singh High School in Jiaganj. While most children were focused solely on academics, Arijit’s parents recognized his innate talent for melody at an early age. By the age of three, he began training under the Hazari brothers. He received his formal training in Indian Classical Music from Guru Rajendra Prasad Hazari and learned the nuances of the tabla from Dhirendra Prasad Hazari. Birendra Prasad Hazari taught him Rabindra Sangeet and pop music.

University & Training

For his higher education, Arijit attended Sripat Singh College, a prestigious institution affiliated with the University of Kalyani. However, his heart remained in the recording studio rather than the classroom. In 2005, at the age of 18, encouraged by his mentor Rajendra Prasad Hazari, Arijit participated in the reality show Fame Gurukul. Although he finished in sixth place, the show served as the catalyst for his move to Mumbai and his eventual domination of the Indian music industry.

Career Journey

Arijit Singh’s career is a testament to the “slow and steady” philosophy. Unlike many reality show contestants who fade away, Arijit spent years behind the scenes, honing his craft as a music programmer and assistant before stepping into the limelight.

2005–2010: The Foundation Years

After Fame Gurukul, Arijit participated in another reality show, 10 Ke 10 Le Gaye Dil, which he won. He used the prize money to set up his own recording studio in Mumbai. During these years, he didn’t work as a lead singer but as a music programmer. He assisted legendary composers like Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, and Mithoon. Most notably, his long-standing collaboration with Pritam Chakraborty began during this period, where he worked on arranging tracks and singing scratches for major films like Golmaal 3 and Crook.

2011–2013: The Breakout and Superstardom

Arijit’s Bollywood debut as a singer came in 2011 with the song “Phir Mohabbat” from the movie Murder 2, though the song was recorded much earlier in 2009. His real breakthrough, however, occurred in 2013 with the release of the film Aashiqui 2. The song “Tum Hi Ho” became an overnight national anthem of love. It stayed at the top of the charts for months and earned him his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. From this point forward, the “Arijit Singh Era” had officially begun.

2014–2020: Unrivaled Dominance

During this decade, Arijit Singh became the default choice for every major Bollywood production. His ability to switch between high-pitched emotional ballads and upbeat dance tracks was unmatched. He delivered iconic hits such as:

• “Muskurane” (CityLights)
• “Gerua” (Dilwale)
• “Channa Mereya” (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil)
• “Nashe Si Chadh Gayi” (Befikre)

In 2019, he won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song “Binte Dil” from the epic period drama Padmaavat, solidifying his status as a technical powerhouse.

2021–2026: The Global Icon and “Oriyon Music”

In the post-pandemic landscape, Arijit Singh transitioned from being just a playback singer to a global touring powerhouse. In 2022 and 2023, his songs “Kesariya” (Brahmāstra) and “Jhoome Jo Pathaan” (Pathaan) broke streaming records on Spotify India.

By 2026, Arijit has focused heavily on his independent label, Oriyon Music, which allows him to release non-film music and Bengali folk-inspired tracks. His 2024-2025 world tours across the USA, UK, and Australia saw sold-out stadiums, making him one of the highest-grossing live performers globally. He has also been a vocal advocate for artist royalties and mental health within the music industry.

Career Stats & Key Discography

Net Worth & Earnings

As of 2026, Arijit Singh’s estimated net worth is $45 Million (approximately ₹375 Crores). Unlike many celebrities who earn through brand endorsements, Arijit’s wealth is almost entirely driven by his musical talent and live performances.

Income Streams

1. Live Concerts: This is his primary revenue driver. Arijit Singh reportedly charges between ₹1.5 crore to ₹3 crore per private show or corporate event. For ticketed stadium tours, the revenue share is significantly higher.
2. Playback Singing: He is one of the highest-paid playback singers in India, charging roughly ₹20–₹25 lakhs per song.
3. Digital Royalties: With billions of streams across Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music, Arijit earns a massive passive income from royalties.
4. Oriyon Music: His independent label generates revenue through music licensing and distribution.

Assets & Investments

Arijit is known for his simplicity. While he owns a luxury apartment in Mumbai for work, he spends most of his time in his hometown of Jiaganj, where he has invested in local infrastructure and community projects. His car collection includes a Range Rover Vogue and a Mercedes-Benz, though he is frequently seen using local public transport or simple vehicles in his village.

Charitable Giving

Arijit runs the Let There Be Light foundation, which works for the underprivileged in his hometown. His charity focuses on healthcare, education, and providing food security to the tribal communities in Murshidabad.

Personal Life

Family Background

Arijit Singh comes from a middle-class background that values education and traditional arts. His mother, who passed away in 2021 due to COVID-19 related complications, was his biggest inspiration. His father remains his pillar of support, often seen accompanying him in his hometown.

Relationships & Marriage

Arijit Singh’s personal life was once a subject of much speculation. He was briefly married to a co-contestant from a reality show in 2013, but the marriage ended in divorce within a year.
In 2014, Arijit married his childhood friend Koel Roy in a private ceremony at the Tarapith Temple in West Bengal. Koel had a daughter from a previous marriage, whom Arijit has raised as his own.

Children

Arijit and Koel have two sons together. Despite his massive fame, Arijit keeps his children entirely out of the limelight, ensuring they have a grounded upbringing in the rural setting of West Bengal.

Hobbies, Interests & Lifestyle

Arijit is a self-proclaimed introvert. When not in the studio, he enjoys:

• Photography: He is an avid photographer, often capturing candid shots of nature and rural life.
• Cycling: He is frequently spotted cycling through the lanes of Jiaganj.
• Documentaries: He has a deep interest in world history and social documentaries.
• Simplicity: He is famous for his “no-celebrity” look—often appearing at airports or on stage in a simple kurta or t-shirt with unkempt hair.

Controversies & Legal Issues

2014: The Salman Khan Incident

The most famous controversy involved a fallout with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan during an awards ceremony. Arijit, who was tired from work, arrived in casual clothes and joked about the hosts making him fall asleep. Salman took offense, leading to Arijit’s vocals being removed from several of Salman’s films like Sultan. The rift finally healed in 2023 when Arijit recorded a song for Salman’s Tiger 3.

2023: The “Rang De Tu Mohe Gerua” Controversy

During a performance at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), Arijit sang “Gerua.” Certain political groups tried to link the song’s lyrics to political colors, leading to a brief social media firestorm. Arijit remained silent, and the controversy eventually faded.

Awards & Achievements

Arijit Singh has won over 50 major awards. Below are the highlights:

Physical Statistics

Arijit Singh is known for his rugged, natural look, often sporting a full beard and long, curly hair.

• Height: 5′ 6″ (168 cm)
• Weight: 76 kg (167 lbs)
• Chest: 40 inches
• Waist: 32 inches
• Biceps: 13 inches
• Fitness Routine: He does not follow a strict gym regime but maintains fitness through cycling and a traditional Bengali diet consisting of fish and lentils.

Quotes

“I am a worker. I work on music. That is my job. The fame that comes with it is incidental, and I try to ignore it as much as possible.”
— Interview with Forbes India, 2018

“Music is not a competition. It is a feeling. If you can’t feel the lyrics, you can’t sing the song, no matter how good your technique is.”
— The Music Podcast, 2023

“I still feel like that boy from Jiaganj who was scared to enter Mumbai. That fear keeps me grounded and hungry to learn more.”
— Times of India, 2022

Favorites

• Food: Macher Jhol (Bengali Fish Curry), Alu Posto, and Khichdi.
• Musician: Kishore Kumar, Ghulam Ali, and Mehdi Hassan.
• Movie: Pather Panchali and various sports documentaries.
• Color: White and Black.
• Travel Destination: The Himalayas and his own village, Jiaganj.
• Sport: Football (He is a massive fan of the Argentina National Team and Lionel Messi).

Interesting Facts

• Programmer First: Before becoming a singer, he worked as a music programmer for over 5 years, which is why he understands the technicality of sound better than most vocalists.
• He Hates Interviews: Arijit is notoriously media-shy and rarely gives interviews or appears on talk shows.
• Classic Training: He is a trained classical singer, which allows him to perform complex “Harkats” and “Taans” effortlessly.
• First Song: His first recorded song was “All For One” for the High School Musical 2 (Hindi version), but it didn’t bring him fame.
• Simple Commute: Even after becoming a multi-millionaire, he was once spotted taking a local train in Mumbai to avoid traffic and reach a recording on time.
• Hidden Composer: He has composed the entire background score for the film Pagglait (2021), showcasing his versatility.
• Language Barrier: Despite being a Punjabi-Bengali, he has sung in over 10 Indian languages, including Telugu, Marathi, and Kannada.
• Spotify Record: In 2023, he became the first Indian artist to reach 100 million followers on Spotify, surpassing several global pop stars.
• Cricket Fan: He is often seen playing gully cricket with local kids in his hometown during his holidays.
• No Autograph: He often refuses autographs but will happily sit and talk with fans or take a quick photo if they are respectful.

Did You Know?

• Did you know Arijit Singh was eliminated from Fame Gurukul at 6th place? He didn’t even make it to the top 5 of the show that launched him.
• Did you know Arijit Singh owns a professional football team in a local Bengal league to promote sports among rural youth?
• Did you know Arijit Singh refuses to use “Auto-Tune” for his live performances, preferring the raw emotional texture of his natural voice?
• Did you know Arijit Singh’s song “Tum Hi Ho” was recorded in one take after he spent hours understanding the depth of the lyrics?

Social Media

• Instagram: @arijitsingh (Verified)
• Facebook: Arijit Singh Official (Verified)
• YouTube: Arijit Singh / Oriyon Music (Verified)
• X (Twitter): @arijitsingh (Verified)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is Arijit Singh so famous?
Arijit Singh is famous because of his unique “soulful” voice that resonates with the listener’s emotions. His ability to sing Indian Classical, Pop, and Sufi music with equal ease makes him a versatile powerhouse in the Indian film industry.

Q2: What is Arijit Singh’s age in 2026?
As of 2026, Arijit Singh is 39 years old. He was born on April 25, 1987.

Q3: Where does Arijit Singh live?
Arijit Singh maintains a residence in Mumbai for professional work, but he primarily lives in his hometown of Jiaganj, Murshidabad, in West Bengal.

Q4: Is Arijit Singh still singing for Salman Khan?
Yes. After a long-standing rift, Arijit Singh and Salman Khan reconciled. Arijit sang the hit song “Leke Prabhu Ka Naam” for Salman Khan’s 2023 film Tiger 3.

CONCLUSION

Arijit Singh’s journey from a small-town boy in West Bengal to the most streamed Indian artist on the planet is a story of grit, humility, and immense talent. His legacy is not just defined by his chart-topping hits but by his refusal to succumb to the superficiality of stardom. In 2026, he continues to lead the industry by evolving his sound and supporting independent music through his label. As he moves into the next phase of his career, his impact on the global musical landscape remains undisputed.

If you enjoyed this deep dive into the life of India’s favorite voice, feel free to share this biography with other music lovers!

Data Sources: Filmfare Archives, Spotify Wrapped Insights, Oriyon Music Official Records, Forbes India Celebrity 100, Times of India Entertainment Bureau.