There are celebrities, and then there is Arijit Singh defying the norms. The singer’s soulful music is a magical touch to any Bollywood movie. The singer has blessed the industry with powerful songs that connect with the audiences on a deeper level. The songs carry with them a myriad of emotions, and for the same reason, he has become the heartthrob of Bollywood. A young Arijit Singh embarked upon his music career at a tender age, taking inspiration from his mother and grandmother who were singers and professional table players. A source close to Arijit Singh once told in an interview that he was three when he would listen to his mother do riyaaz. His mother made sure that he had the best music teachers growing up.

He participated in a music reality show called Fame Gurukul in 2005. Not many know that his first song was ‘All for One’ from the popular Disney movie High School Musical 2, which was composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. He made his Bollywood debut with ‘Phir Mohabbat’ from Murder 2, which earned him instant recognition and fame. However, his breakthrough song was Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2, which was a stepping-stone in his career. The song won him multiple accolades.

The singer has a home studio in his native at Jiaganj, which is like a musical refuge to him. A close friend of Arijit Singh told the ETimes that Arijit would say, “Mumbai is part of my journey. I work there and it has made me who I am today. But my heart and soul lies in Jiaganj, my birthplace.” The modest singer believes in leading a simple life despite being one of the biggest singers in India. He has enrolled his two sons at a local school in Jiaganj as he doesn’t want them to lead a cushioned life. In his hometown, he is perceived as a homely soul who mingles with everybody. 

The singer rarely interacts with the media. In a 2013 interview with a big publication, he opened up about how he reacts to fans approaching him. He said, “Now when they recognize me and ask me, ‘You are Arijit Singh na?’ I ignore it and tell them they are mistaken. ‘I am not Arijit Singh’. At times, when I reach my saturation point, I go to some random place and throw my phone away. But then work is work.” In another interview, he said, “I have worked, and it has drastically changed things. You guys have automatically made me a public figure, but I never wanted to be famous, trust me.”

Arijit rarely gives interviews to the media. In the few interviews that he has given, it is surprising to see how refreshingly honest he can be as compared to other celebrities in Bollywood who might be perceived as narcissistic. In an interview with a leading magazine, he was quoted saying, “I don’t think I have a long way to go. This might be my last year. Normally, fresh voices replace current ones every five to seven years in Bollywood. Given that trend, I will fade away in 2018.”

The singer doesn’t use any social media accounts as he prefers the semblance of a normal life as much as possible. In an interview with a leading publication, he said “I enjoy a silent and quiet life away from fame. It’s the way I have always been and thereby I try to refrain myself from using social media. It is also because I don’t like being called a celebrity but lately, the growth of social media has been such that it has become difficult.”

Speaking about him in an interview, Vishal Dadlani said, “Arijit has the ability and the openness needed to make every recording a genuine collaboration. He’s also a really nice guy, with no ego. That helps”. Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali also said, “Arijit Singh is very special”.

As the singer turns a year older, we have listed out our favourite Arijit Singh songs that really moved us with their heart-touching lyrics and Arijit’s soulful voice.

1. Phir Le Aaya Dil from Barfi
Our favourite line: “Karte hain hum aaj qabool kya keeje. Ho gayi thi jo humse bhool kya keeje”

This 2012 song is a melodious ghazal featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Ileana D’Cruz, and Priyanka Chopra. Ranbir Kapoor also described this song as his favourite from the movie.

 2. Raabta from Agent Vinod

Our favourite line: “Tere nazara mila, roshan sitara mila, Taqdeer ki kashtiyon ko kinara mila”

The romantic Hindi song from 2012 is one of the best work-of-art by Arijit Singh. It features Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan and this song highlights their love for each other.

3. Tum Hi Ho from Ashiqui 2

Our favourite line: Tera mera rishta hai kaisa, Ik pal door gawara nahi, Tere liye har roz hai jeete, Tujh ko diya mera waqt sabhi

This chartbuster song brought Arijit Singh to the limelight with the movie’s release in 2013. The song gradually became a love anthem that was chanted by millions of fans. Arijit Singh won the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer for this song.

4. Sooraj Dooba from Roy

Our favourite line: “Duniya ki sunta hai kyun, Khud ki bhi sun le kabhi”

As compared to the other romantic Arijit Singh songs, this one is a peppy, dance hit. This song also won a Filmfare Award for Best Music Album.

5. Jaan Nisaar from Kedarnath

Our favourite line: “Maine nibhaya hai, Karke dikhaya hai, Le teri baari, Ik vaari tu bhi pyar nibha”

The love ballad with its powerful lyrics highlights how the actress longs for the love and forgiveness of her lover. Arijit Singh with his magical voice adds depth to the story of his characters.

6. Tera Yaar Hoon Main from Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety

Our favourite line: “Haq nahi tu yeh kahe ki yaar ab hum na rahe. Ek teri yaari ka hi saaton janam haqdaar hoon main”

What makes it stand out is that it brings out the heartbreak associated with friendship, as opposed to love.

7. Samjhawan from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

Our favourite line: “Mere dil ne chun laiyaa ne, Tere dil diyaan raahan, Tu jo mere naal tu rehta, Turpe meriyaan saaha”

With Samjhawan, Arijit Singh perfectly depicts the heartbreak that a young couple goes through due to circumstances beyond their control.

8. Muskurane from Citylights

Our favourite line: “O re lamhe tu kahin mat jaa, Ho sake toh umr bhar tham jaa”

Muskurane is one of the most soulful, romantic songs sung by Arijit Singh. A young lover feels that his beloved is his reason for everything good in life and the feeling was captured impeccably by Arijit. 

9. Agar Tum Saath Ho from Tamaasha

Our favourite line: “Teri nazron mein hai tere sapne, Tere sapno mein hai naraazi, Mujhe lagta hai ke baatein dil ki, Hoti lafzon ki dhokebaazi”

In this song, Arijit Singh brings out the feelings of a very complex male character who couldn’t achieve his dreams and has lost his sense of optimism in life.

10. Aayat from Bajirao Mastani

Our favourite line: “Tujhe yaad kar liya hai, Marne talak rahegi, Marne talak rahegi, Tu aadat ki tarah”

This song from Bajirao Mastani highlights Bajirao’s love for Mastani. The lyrics translate to how he has memorised her like Aayat (verses) from Koran.