Arijit Singh (1987–2026): The Full Story of the Man Who Replaced Taylor Swift at the Top!
In a move
that has sent shockwaves through the global music community, Arijit Singh,
the undisputed king of modern playback singing, announced his retirement from
film music on January 27, 2026. At just 38 years old, Singh is leaving
the Bollywood stage at the absolute zenith of his commercial power to pursue a
"higher calling" in independent and classical music.
Arijit
Singh: The Soulful Journey of a Global Musical Icon (1987–2026)
From the
narrow lanes of Jiaganj to becoming the most-followed artist on Spotify
globally (surpassing Taylor Swift in 2025), Arijit Singh’s story is one of
sheer talent, humility, and an unrelenting quest for artistic purity.
1.
Biography: Roots and Early Struggles
- Born: April 25, 1987, in Jiaganj,
Murshidabad, West Bengal.
- Family: Born to a Punjabi father,
Kakkar Singh, and a Bengali mother, Aditi Singh. Music was in his DNA; his
mother, maternal aunt, and uncle were all trained in classical music and
tabla.
- Education & Training: He was trained by the
"Hazari brothers"—Rajendra Prasad Hazari (Classical), Dhirendra
Prasad Hazari (Tabla), and Birendra Prasad Hazari (Rabindra Sangeet).
- Personal Life: Arijit is known for his
intensely private lifestyle. He is married to his childhood friend Koel
Roy (since 2014), and the couple raises three children in their
hometown, away from the glitz of Mumbai.
2.
Career Evolution: The "Tum Hi Ho" Phenomenon
Arijit's
career is a masterclass in persistence:
- The Reality Start (2005): He first appeared on Fame
Gurukul at age 18. Though he finished 6th, the show’s judge, Sanjay
Leela Bhansali, recognized his potential.
- The Programmer Years
(2006–2010):
Before singing, Arijit worked as a music programmer and assistant for
composers like Pritam, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and Vishal-Shekhar.
- The Breakthrough (2013): While he debuted with "Phir
Mohabbat" (2011), it was "Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui
2 that turned him into an overnight legend. It earned him his first
Filmfare Award and started a decade-long "Arijit Era" in
Bollywood.
3.
Notable Filmography & Iconic Tracks
Arijit
Singh has lent his voice to over 500 songs across multiple languages.
His discography is the soundtrack to modern Indian romance and heartbreak.
The
Chart-Busters:
- Romance: "Tum Hi Ho"
(Aashiqui 2), "Kesariya" (Brahmastra), "Zaalima"
(Raees).
- Heartbreak: "Channa Mereya"
(Ae Dil Hai Mushkil), "Muskurane" (CityLights), "Agar
Tum Saath Ho" (Tamasha).
- Sufi/Classical: "Binte Dil"
(Padmaavat), "Kalank Title Track", "Laal
Ishq" (Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela).
- 2026 Finales: His last playback releases
include "Hum To Tere Hi Liye The" from O' Romeo
and tracks for the upcoming Battle of Galwan.
4.
Awards & Global Records
- National Film Awards: 2 wins ("Binte
Dil" in 2018; "Kesariya" in 2022).
- Filmfare Awards: 8 wins for Best Male Playback
Singer (matching the record of the legendary Kishore Kumar).
- Padma Shri (2025): Honored with India's
fourth-highest civilian award for his contribution to the arts.
- Spotify Milestone: In 2025, he became the first
Indian artist to reach 151 million followers, cementing his status
as a global streaming titan.
5. The
"Retirement" & What’s Next?
In his
2026 retirement post, Arijit clarified that he is only calling it off
regarding playback (singing for movie characters).
- The Direction: Rumors suggest he is
transitioning into film direction and independent music production.
- The Roots: He expressed a deep desire to
return to Indian Classical Music and perform as a "small
little artist" rather than a commercial superstar.
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