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Arijit Singh: From Reality TV Finalist to Bollywood's Biggest Voice

Arijit Singh, born 25 April 1987 in Jiaganj, West Bengal, is one of the most influential and commercially successful vocalists in Indian music. Known for an emotive vocal style that moves effortlessly between romantic ballads, Sufi songs, ghazals, and folk, he has won two National Film Awards and eight Filmfare Awards. In 2025, he received the Padma Shri for his contributions to the arts. He has also been the most-streamed artist on Spotify in India for seven consecutive years, from 2019 to 2025.

Early Training and Fame Gurukul

Singh began his musical journey early, training in Indian classical music under Rajendra Prasad Hazari, tabla under Dhirendra Prasad Hazari, and Rabindra Sangeet and pop music under Birendra Prasad Hazari. In 2005, at eighteen, he entered the reality television programme Fame Gurukul, where he finished among the finalists. Though he did not win, the show introduced him to the industry. He later won another reality show, 10 Ke 10 Le Gaye Dil, which helped him set up his own recording studio.

Years Behind the Scenes

Before becoming a star, Singh worked as a music programmer and assistant to composers including Pritam, Mithoon, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and Vishal-Shekhar. He made his Hindi playback singing debut with "Phir Mohabbat" from Murder 2 in 2011. Songs like "Raabta" from Agent Vinod, "Phir Le Aaya Dil" from Barfi!, and "Duaa" from Shanghai followed, building his reputation among composers and listeners alike.

The Tum Hi Ho Breakthrough

Everything changed in 2013 with "Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui 2. The song became a nationwide sensation and earned Singh his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. A run of defining songs followed, including "Chahun Main Ya Naa," "Muskurane," "Kabira," "Hamari Adhuri Kahani," "Gerua," "Channa Mereya," and "Ae Watan." He has recorded in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and other languages, and has also worked as a music composer.

Legacy

In 2025, Singh won his eighth Filmfare Award for "Sajni," equalling Kishore Kumar's record for the most wins in the Best Male Playback Singer category. Beyond singing, he has also worked as a music composer, composing for films including Pagglait (2021), and directed the Bengali film Bhalobashar Rojnamcha (2015). His journey, from a reality-show finalist to the defining playback voice of a generation, remains one of the most remarkable stories in modern Indian music.

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