Arijit Singh: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026)

Arijit Singh — the voice behind Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya and Kesariya — is the most-streamed Indian singer of his generation and the most-followed artist on Spotify in the world. From a small town in West Bengal to a Padma Shri, two National Film Awards and a record-equalling eight Filmfare Awards, his rise is one of the great stories of modern Indian music. In January 2026, he stunned fans by announcing his retirement from playback singing — while promising he will never stop making music.

Here is the complete biography: his age, family, career, songs, awards, net worth, and what comes next in 2026 and beyond. If you enjoy reading about Indian music stars, also check out our biography of singer Diljit Dosanjh.

Arijit Singh Quick Facts

Early Life and Education

Born on 25 April 1987 in Jiaganj, a small town in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, Arijit Singh grew up in a home where music was a way of life. His father, Kakkar Singh, is a Punjabi who worked as an LIC agent, while his mother, Aditi Singh, was Bengali. Music ran in the family — his maternal grandmother sang, his mother was a singer, and his maternal uncle played the tabla.

Arijit began training in Hindustani classical music as a child under the Hazari brothers — Rajendra Prasad Hazari, Dhirendra Prasad Hazari and Birendra Prasad Hazari — and also learned the tabla and guitar. He sang at local functions and school events in Jiaganj, the town he still calls home today. He has often said that his small-town upbringing kept him grounded even after fame arrived.

Career: From Reality TV to the Voice of a Generation

Fame Gurukul and the Mumbai Struggle (2005–2010)

Arijit first caught national attention in 2005 as a contestant on the reality show Fame Gurukul. He did not win, but the show brought him to Mumbai, where he spent years in the background — working as a music programmer and assistant to composer Pritam, singing scratch versions of songs and learning the craft of film music from the inside.

Those quiet years shaped him. He has spoken about facing rejection for his voice and working hard to refine his vocal texture, comparing the process to building muscle through constant practice.

Breakthrough: Tum Hi Ho (2011–2013)

His playback debut came with "Phir Mohabbat" from Murder 2 (2011), composed by Pritam. But it was "Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui 2 (2013) that changed everything. The song became one of the biggest romantic anthems in Bollywood history, won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer, and made his voice the sound of romance for an entire generation.

The Decade of Dominance (2014–2025)

From 2013 onward, Arijit became the most in-demand male voice in Hindi cinema. His catalogue reads like a playlist of the decade: "Raabta", "Phir Le Aya Dil", "Muskurane", "Gerua", "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil", "Channa Mereya", "Agar Tum Saath Ho", "Tera Yaar Hoon Main", "Shayad", "Apna Bana Le", "Ve Kamleya" and "Kesariya" — the Brahmāstra hit that won him a National Film Award.

He also sang across languages — Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and more — and became the most-followed artist on Spotify globally, crossing 150 million followers in 2024 and going past 160 million by early 2026, ahead of global pop stars like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. For seven consecutive years he was Spotify's most-streamed Indian artist. More on his awards and honours is documented on his Wikipedia page.

Awards and Honours

Arijit's trophy cabinet is among the finest in Indian music:

• Padma Shri (2025) — India's fourth-highest civilian honour, conferred by President Droupadi Murmu on 28 April 2025 for his contributions to the arts.
• Two National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer — for "Binte Dil" (Padmaavat) and "Kesariya" (Brahmāstra).
• Eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer — equalling the record set by the legendary Kishore Kumar. His eighth win came in 2025 for "Sajni" from Laapataa Ladies.
• Multiple IIFA Awards and a string of other honours across a 15-year playback career.

Independent Music and Oriyon Music

In 2020, Arijit launched his own independent music label, Oriyon Music, releasing "Rihaa" as his first indie single. The label was a statement of intent: a space for non-film music, classical exploration and new voices. He also runs the Oriyon Music foundation and supports local NGO work in and around Jiaganj.

Family

Arijit married his childhood friend Koel Roy in a quiet, traditional Bengali ceremony at the Tarapith Temple in West Bengal in January 2014. It was a second marriage for both — Arijit was earlier married to Ruprekha Banerjee, and that marriage ended in divorce.

Arijit and Koel are parents to three children — two sons and a stepdaughter from Koel's previous marriage. Despite global fame, the family lives a deliberately low-key life, mostly in Jiaganj, far from the Mumbai film industry's spotlight. Arijit's mother, Aditi Singh, died of a cerebral stroke in May 2021 at the age of 52 — a loss he has described as the hardest of his life. His sister, Amrita Singh, is also a singer and sang on the Pagglait soundtrack he composed in 2021.

Arijit Singh Net Worth (2026)

Arijit Singh's net worth has never been officially disclosed, and published estimates vary. Several Indian media outlets estimated it at around ₹400–414 crore (roughly $50 million) in early 2026, with some outlets reporting a fee of about ₹8–10 lakh per song and far higher earnings from live concerts. These are unverified media estimates, not audited figures, so treat every number you see online with caution.

What is certain: his wealth comes from playback singing fees, a hugely successful live-concert career, music streaming, his Oriyon Music label, and brand associations — built over a 15-year career at the very top of Indian music.

The 2026 Retirement Announcement — and What's Next

On 27 January 2026, Arijit stunned the music world with an Instagram post announcing that he would take no new assignments as a playback vocalist for films. "I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey," he wrote, thanking listeners for their love over the years.

He was quick to clarify that he is not retiring from music — only from film playback singing. He plans to keep creating independent music, composing, and exploring classical music as a solo artist. Then, in October 2026, he announced a nine-city India tour for 2027 to celebrate 20 years in the music industry — a clear sign that his voice will still be heard live on stage, even as his film playback chapter closes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Arijit Singh's age in 2026?

He was born on 25 April 1987 — 39 years old in November 2026.

Who is Arijit Singh's wife?

Koel Roy, his childhood friend — married in January 2014 at Tarapith Temple, West Bengal.

How many children does Arijit Singh have?

Three — two sons and a stepdaughter.

What is Arijit Singh's net worth?

No official figure exists. Unverified media estimates put it at roughly ₹400–414 crore (about $50 million).

Why did Arijit Singh retire in 2026?

On 27 January 2026 he announced he would stop taking new film playback assignments. He has not retired from music — he continues with independent and classical music, and has announced a nine-city India tour for 2027.

What is Arijit Singh's most famous song?

"Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui 2 (2013) is his career-defining breakthrough, followed by hits like "Channa Mereya" and "Kesariya".

How many Filmfare Awards has Arijit Singh won?

Eight Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer — equalling Kishore Kumar's record — plus two National Film Awards and the Padma Shri (2025).

Where does Arijit Singh live?

In Jiaganj, Murshidabad, West Bengal, his hometown, where he has lived for most of his life.

Final Thoughts

From a small town in Murshidabad to the most-followed artist on the planet, Arijit Singh's journey is proof that a great voice needs no machinery — only honesty, discipline and songs that mean something. His playback retirement in 2026 closes one chapter, but with independent music and a 2027 tour ahead, the voice that defined a decade of Bollywood romance is far from silent.

Also read: Rajkummar Rao: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026) and Diljit Dosanjh: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026)