Arijit Singh: A New Musical Journey Back to His Roots
A Surprising Shift in Career
On Tuesday, celebrated Indian playback singer Arijit Singh made headlines by announcing his retirement from playback singing. This decision took fans by surprise, as many were accustomed to his powerful renditions in numerous Bollywood films. However, Arijit clarified that his listeners were not merely fans but rather members of his "extended family," emphasizing a personal connection that transcends the typical artist-audience relationship.
This change aligns with his larger philosophy about life and art. Despite being the highest-paid singer in India, Arijit’s humble lifestyle and commitment to his roots remain strong. Instead of cranking out dozens of songs each year, he is returning to his Indian classical roots and focusing on creating his own music.
Financial Success and Humble Beginnings
According to Livemint, Arijit’s estimated net worth stands at around ₹414 crore, with annual earnings reaching up to ₹70 crore. His wealth is bolstered by various assets, including a lavish home in Navi Mumbai valued at ₹8 crore and an impressive car collection—including a Range Rover and a Mercedes—worth ₹3.4 crore.
While the bulk of his income comes from playback singing, concerts, and brand endorsements, Arijit has revealed that this aspect of his career is not his primary revenue source. Typically charging ₹8 lakh to ₹10 lakh per song, his earnings from music continue to grow. For instance, just this month, he released six songs, collectively bringing in between ₹48 lakh and ₹60 lakh.
In the previous year, Arijit lent his voice to an astonishing 34 songs, including 11 non-film tracks. This means his earnings from playback alone were likely around ₹2.72 crore to ₹3.40 crore. As he steps back from this segment, his financial foundation is secure, allowing him the freedom to explore more profound artistic avenues.
Concerts: A Significant Income Stream
Arijit also stands as one of the highest-paid live performers in India. Music composer Monty Sharma stated that he charges around ₹2 crore for a single live performance. However, for special events like "Arijit Singh Live," his fee can reach up to ₹14 crore, solidifying his status as a leading global performer. Additionally, brand endorsements with major companies such as Coca-Cola and Samsung significantly contribute to his financial portfolio.
Living With Purpose
Despite his immense wealth, Arijit Singh chooses to live a life anchored in simplicity and humility. His primary residence remains in his hometown of Jiaganj, Murshidabad, where he makes a point to stay connected to his roots. Music composer A.R. Rahman has remarked on his reclusive nature, highlighting that Arijit prefers to work from his village.
A significant aspect of his grounded lifestyle includes sending his children to a local school in Murshidabad. A Twitter post by Dr. Anupam Hazra captured this essence perfectly, portraying Arijit attending school events like an ordinary parent.
Giving Back to the Community
Arijit has also displayed a strong commitment to social responsibility. He has established Heshel, an affordable eatery in his native village that serves meals at just ₹40, ensuring that economically disadvantaged individuals have access to nourishing food.
Furthering his philanthropic endeavors, Arijit founded the Tatwamasi Foundation, aimed at “empowering needy and poor youth, children and the community” through education, healthcare, sports, and environmental initiatives. He has articulated his desire to build small hospitals to ensure that emergency healthcare is accessible.
Future Aspirations
With a formidable financial cushion, Arijit is now setting his sights on his music label, Oriyon Music. He plans to engage more deeply in composing and producing original music. According to a recent interview, he expressed his aspirations to be a music publisher and scout for unique talent, contributing to a vibrant music culture in India.
In addition, Arijit is eager to establish a music school, where he can blend music education with sports, believing that physical activity benefits vocal performance. He recognizes the transformative power of film and aims to explore film projects through his production house, Oriyon Edutainment, inspired by filmmakers like Satyajit Ray and James Cameron.
Breaking Records
Even as he transitions away from playback singing, Arijit Singh remains a powerful force in the music world. As the most followed artist on Spotify, he has surpassed global superstars like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. His songs garnered an astounding 15 billion streams last year alone, a number that continues to rise.
With provisions in the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012 allowing for lifelong royalties, Arijit could earn as much as ₹75 crore annually from his streaming endeavors alone.
As Arijit Singh embarks on this exciting new chapter away from conventional playback singing, his diversified interests in music production, education, and community service promise to keep him deeply rooted in art and humanity.
