In this age and era of flash and glamour that can be swapped with luxury cars, affable manors, to defy the eye of the masses and never-ending internet traffic, there is one more surname that appears different in the Indian music industry- Arijit Singh. Even though Singh is the highest-paid singer in Indian history and one of the most popular artists globally in terms of counts of streaming, he continues to live a down-to-earth, simple, and normal life, miles away from the celebrity complex.
A Man with a Humble Heart
The story of Arijit Singh, where a boy from a small town in West Bengal went on to become the musical sensation of India, is already a legend. However, what people do not often take into consideration is the extent of his monetary success. Recent news updates show that Arijit Singh charges an unbelievable amount of 14 crore for a two-hour live show, since that qualifies him as one of the highest-paid personalities in the world of live concerts. Singh has an estimated net worth of over 414 crores, and his earnings, besides the live concerts, are sustained by playback singing, brand endorsements, music rights, and real estate investments. His market value is further reinforced by brands such as Coca-Cola and Samsung recruiting him in their campaigns. However, Singh has deliberately avoided allowing wealth to shape his way of life and his overall image in society, as that has been the case with many of his peers. His concerts can turn stadiums into standing houses, but his everyday life is very modest. The mainstream of Singh lies well beyond the Indian subcontinent. He is recorded to be the most-streamed Indian artist in five straight years (2020 to present) by Spotify. At present, Singh has more than 147 million followers on Spotify, which outnumbers international celebrities, such as Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, attracting the attention of the media worldwide. Arijit Singh is now planning to be the first Indian artist to feature as a headliner in a concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London this September- yet another milestone. The 62,850-seater firing place will be the venue of the only European show of Singh this year, a show that talks volumes to his world audience. Even with such world achievements, Singh has not been very popular at celebrity parties, paparazzi events, as well as flashy magazine covers. His humility and attention to music rather than fame still mark his outward personality.
The Soul Behind the Songs
Arijit Singh was born in Murshidabad and got their first recognition in the year 2005 as they featured as a singer on a TV reality-based program known as Fame Gurukul. The industry insiders were not able to overlook the tremendous talent that Singh had, even though he did not scoop the prize. He had virtually arrived on a national scale almost overnight, thanks to an iconic romantic ballad, Tum Hi Ho, which appeared in Aashiqui 2 in 2013. This was then followed by a glittering streak of number-one hits that includes Channa Mereya, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Kesariya, and a lot more. The fact that he can go an extra mile by adding a soul to the romantic lyrics, to the lamentations of loneliness, and even to the dance songs is what has made his name known by every child of every generation. Beneath the stardom, however, there is a character that stands in sharp contrast to the one common to a celebrity. Industry insiders and colleagues refer to Singh as an introvert, down-to-earth, and one who is not interested in material excess. According to his mentor, composer Pritam Chakraborty, Singh is "completely devoting all his time to the music" and does not like to make superfluous appearances in the media. Although the assets of Singh show how he is one of the elite performers, his personal life presents an eye-opening juxtaposition. Instead of the fancy luxury lifestyle, he has an 8-crore-rupee home in Navi Mumbai that has beautiful natural environs. His car collection, estimated at approximately 3.4 crore, has exclusive yet sensible models as opposed to ultra-exotic vehicles. Surprisingly, he has also invested in his hometown. His connection with his roots can be seen through a small restaurant run by Singh in Murshidabad, which serves food at just a modest 40 per plate, as per the locals. His family, as well as his wife, Koel Roy, are also not very much out there in the limelight like most Bollywood families. In contrast to other celebrity couples, Singh and Roy do not often appear at Hollywood industry parties or popular events. Although this personality has received commendation on Singh being genuine, in some cases, it has attracted negative criticism. Others say his unwillingness to perform the typical celebrity stunts renders him distant or undistinguishable. However, his antics are mostly perceived to be a breath of fresh air by fans and fellow artists who criticise the industry as superficial. Singer and composer Himesh Reshammiya once defended Singh’s quiet demeanour, saying, “Arijit isn’t about money or show-off. He’s about honesty in music. That’s rare today.”
Social Media: A Controlled Space
However, Singh has a limited media presence on social media, unlike many celebrities who bombard the media with personal postings on Instagram. His Instagram account has mostly his description, performance book updates, and sometimes charity cases. No personal milestones, vacations, or even glimpses into his personal life, which was an intentional decision. It was a company decision that has ironically contributed to his appeal, and him being now one of those few celebrities who do not make headlines through his lifestyle, but through his work. Besides his music, Singh has been actively involved in other philanthropic activities, albeit in a low-profile manner. However, it is said he donated relief resources towards the COVID-19 pandemic, but he declined to disclose the sums or projects. Correspondents in his local hometown also report about his efforts, however, undocumented in his way towards education and healthcare projects in all aspects.
Conclusion: Fame Without the Fuss
The history of Arijit Singh demonstrates that even in the era of unlimited wealth, fame, and optimal artistic success, one may become a worldwide celebrity without inevitably entering the world of celebrities. His exorbitant pricing and streaming figures have meant he is one of the biggest players in the world music business. However, it is his down-to-earth attitude toward life, as well as his humble home and investments in his hometown, that offer a welcome change to the glamour that stardom usually carries with it. With the anticipation of his legendary London concert and the ongoing domination of the world music charts, there is one fact that is evident - despite being all over everywhere, his life manages to stay subtly, intentionally, under wraps. In an age where everyone is hooked up on fame, India's most remunerative musician is happy to have his music, and not his style, speak.