By Hemant SharmaIndia’s musical landscape is based on a long history of excellence and features immensely talented singers, composers, lyricists and other music professionals across genres. The Indian music industry was valued at INR 24 billion in the year 2023 and is projected to reach INR 37 billion by the year 2026. When it comes to singers, India has consistently produced legends like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, Yesudas and many more who have mesmerised the audience all over the world. In fact, Bollywood has constantly relied upon ace singers to get the audience to the theatres because even weak scripts have been revived by top singers. In the modern times, there are numerous singers who have become highly popular among the audience. Let’s have a look at the top 10 famous singers in India (male and female) for the year 2025.
1. Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal is called the Queen of Bollywood Music because she is the reigning superstar of female Bollywood playback singing. She is known for her flawless vocal skills arising from her training in traditional Indian classical music. The singer has sung numerous melodic tracks for films and albums in Indian and foreign languages, and is a recipient of several awards, including six Filmfare Awards and five National Film Awards.
Shreya Ghoshal won the singing reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and debuted with two hit songs Bairi Piya and Dola Re Dola for the 2002 movie Devdas. Some of her other popular tracks are Barso Re, Ghoomar, Chikni Chameli and Manwa Laage.
2. Arijit Singh
Arijit Singh, dubbed as the King of Playback Singing, is a highly talented singer known for his romantic songs or what are popularly called Love Ballads. He has won several awards, including Padma Shree, seven Filmfare Awards and two National Film Awards. Singh was the most streamed Indian artist on Spotify from 2020 to 2024.
Arijit Singh debuted in the year 2011 with the song Phir Mohabbat for the movie Murder 2. His breakthrough song was Tum Hi Ho for the 2013 movie Aasiqui 2. Other notable songs to his credit are Khamoshiyan, Gerua and Aj Phir.
3. Jubin Nautiyal
Jubin Nautiyal is a popular singer, composer and songwriter who is known for his powerful voice combining both melody and emotions. He primarily sings Hindi language songs but has recorded songs in other languages as well. The singer is also proficient in playing eight different kinds of musical instruments.
Jubin Nautiyal debuted in Bollywood with the song Ek Mulakat Phir for the 2014 movie Sonali Cable. Some of his popular tracks are Tum Hi Aana, Taaron Ke Sehar, Zindagi and Main Jis Din Bhula Du.
4. Sunidhi Chauhan
Sunidhi Chauhan is known for her powerful voice and highly energetic numbers. She has delivered a number of timeless item number songs. Moreover, she also stands out for her charismatic stage performances. The singer has several awards to her credit, including three Filmfare Awards and a Filmfare Award South.
Sunidhi Chauhan won the singing reality show Meri Aawaz Suno in the year 1996 and debuted in playback singing with the song Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi for the 1999 movie Mast. Her popular songs include Mehboob Mere, Dhoom Machale and Sheela Ki Jawani.
5. Sonu Nigam
Sonu Nigam is a veteran of the Indian music industry and playback singing. He is a prolific singer who is an expert in multiple genres of music, including romantic, religious, rock and ghazal. He has several awards to his credit, including Padma Shree, two Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award.
Sonu Nigam has sung more than 6000 songs in 32 languages in his long career. Some of his memorable songs are Kal Ho Na Ho, Accha Sila Diya, Sandese Ate Hain, Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye and Do Paal.
6. Mohit Chauhan
Mohit Chauhan is among the popular Indipop singers and vocalists in India. He was a part of the Silk Route band prior to venturing into playback singing. The singer has sung several songs in multiple languages, and is a recipient of two Filmfare Awards and three Zee Cine Awards.
Mohit Chauhan debuted in playback singing in the year 2002 with the song Pehli Nazar Mein Dari Thi for the movie Road. His notable songs include Khoon Chala, Tum Se Hi, Tune Jo Na Kaha and Kuch Khaas Hai.
7. Palak Muchhal
Palak Muchhal is a popular female singer who is widely known for performing charity stage shows to raise money for underprivileged children. She released several music albums before debuting in film singing with the 2011 movie Damadam. Puchhal has lent her voice for several songs in hit movies like Ashiqui 2, Ek Tha Tiger, MS Dhoni, Baaghi 2, Kaabil and Bahubali: The Beginning.
8. Javed Ali
Javed Ali is a popular playback singer who is proficient in singing in multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. He shot to fame for his song Ek Din Teri Raahon Mein for the 2007 movie Naqaab. Some of his other notable songs include Arziyan, Tu Hi Haqeeqat, Aa Jao Meri Tamanna, Nagada Nagada and Kuch Nahi.
9. Neha Kakkar
Neha Kakkar is known for her trendy party songs and remixes of old songs. Apart from playback singing, she has also appeared in many popular music videos. She participated in the second season of the singing reality show, Indian Idol. Some of her notable songs are Second Hand Jawaani, Sunny Sunny and London Thumakda. Kakkar was among the most-viewed Indian female artists on YouTube in 2019.
10. Kanika Kapoor
Kanika Kapoor is a singer who first gained popularity for her successful music video Jugni Ji which was released in the year 2012. Her debut Bollywood song Baby Doll featuring Sunny Leone in the 2014 movie Ragini MMS 2 became a superhit and topped the charts. Other popular songs sung by Kapoor are Chittiya Kalaiyaan, Nachan Farrate and Premika.
Conclusion
Top Indian singers are creating timeless soundtracks which captivate the audience not only in India but across the world. Their unparalleled singing skills and dedication have catapulted them to the world stage.