Arijit Singh Biography: Spotify Record, Marriages, Turban, FAQs

There’s a reason Arijit Singh’s voice feels like a constant companion in Indian households — he’s been the most-streamed artist on Spotify in India for seven consecutive years. But behind the playback hits and global streaming records lies a personal story of marriage, divorce, remarriage, and a spiritual shift that often surprises fans.

Full name: Arijit Singh · Born: 25 April 1987 (Jiaganj, West Bengal) · Occupations: Singer, music composer, music producer · Filmfare Awards: 8 (record-equalling) · National Film Awards: 2 · Spotify monthly listeners: over 100 million (2024)

The table below consolidates the key biographical details drawn from verified records.

Did Arijit Singh Surpass Taylor Swift on Spotify?

In 2024, Arijit Singh became the first Indian artist to surpass 100 million followers on Spotify, according to a CNBC-TV18 report (CNBC-TV18, business news outlet). By September 2025, Guinness World Records confirmed he had 158,133,893 followers — the most of any musician on the platform globally (Guinness World Records, official record-keeping body).

Spotify monthly listener counts

Guinness recorded 47.6 million monthly listeners for Singh as of 10 September 2025. Taylor Swift, by comparison, had about 115 million monthly listeners at that time — but her follower count (around 80 million) was lower. The distinction: Singh leads in followers, not monthly listeners.

Historical record for Indian artists

Wikipedia notes that Singh has been the most-streamed artist on Spotify in India for seven consecutive years from 2019 to 2025 (Wikipedia, encyclopedic reference). No other Indian artist has held the global most-followed crown.

The implication: Arijit Singh’s global follower count proves that regional-language playback singers can command a planetary audience when streaming platforms remove geographic friction.

Why Did Arijit Singh Quit Singing? Retirement and Hiatus Rumors

Rumors of Singh quitting singing have circulated repeatedly, especially in 2020 when he took a social media break. But he never stopped releasing music. In fact, he became a judge and mentor on Indian Idol, as reported by various entertainment outlets.

Reality show hiatus (Indian Idol)

After winning Fame Gurukul in 2005, Singh took a few years to establish himself as a playback singer. He began getting regular work from 2011 onward. His role as a judge on Indian Idol (starting in 2020) actually increased his visibility.

2020 social media break

In 2020, Singh deactivated his Instagram account, sparking retirement speculation. He later returned and clarified he needed a break from social media, not from music.

Current active status

As of 2025, Singh continues to release singles, film songs, and perform live concerts. No retirement has been announced.

The trade-off: social media silence can fuel rumors, but it also protects his creative space.

How Many Wives Did Arijit Singh Have? Marriage and Divorce

Despite frequent headlines, Arijit Singh has been married to one woman — Koel Roy — twice. They married in January 2014 in a private ceremony at Tarapith, West Bengal (The Economic Times, Indian business daily).

First wife Koel Roy

Koel Roy (née Banerjee) is a Bengali woman who reportedly had a daughter from a previous marriage. The couple divorced in 2016.

Second wife Koel Roy (remarried same person)

In 2017, Singh and Koel Roy remarried. The reconciliation was not widely publicized, but it is confirmed by multiple sources.

Divorce and reconciliation timeline

• 2014: Married
• 2016: Divorced
• 2017: Remarried

The reasons for the divorce remain private. Neither Singh nor Koel has publicly detailed the cause.

The pattern: Singh’s marriage story is one of separation and repair, not multiple relationships. Reports of a “second wife” are incorrect — it’s the same woman.

Why Did Arijit Singh Start Wearing a Turban? Religious Practice

Singh began wearing a turban in public around 2016-2017, coinciding with his remarriage. He has described it as a personal spiritual journey, not a conversion.

Adoption of Sikh faith

Singh’s father was Kakkar Singh, a Punjabi Sikh, and his mother Aditi Singh is a Bengali Hindu (Scribd copy of Wikipedia text). He was raised in a mixed household. The turban is a symbol of his embrace of Sikh identity.

Turban as religious symbol

For Sikhs, the turban (dastar) is a mandatory article of faith. Singh has not made a formal statement about initiation (Amrit), but wearing a turban consistently at public events signals a personal commitment.

Public appearances post-2016

Since 2017, Singh has been photographed with a turban at award shows, concerts, and public events. The change was gradual, not sudden.

What this means: Singh’s turban is a visible expression of his ancestral faith, not a conversion narrative. It aligns with his paternal Sikh heritage.

What Happened to Arijit Singh? Career and Personal Life Timeline

Born in a small town in West Bengal, Singh’s journey from reality TV to global records is one of the most remarkable in Indian music.

Rise from reality TV to playback singer

In 2005, he won the show Fame Gurukul. His first playback songs came in 2011 for three films.

2013 Filmfare breakthrough

Singh won his first Filmfare Award for best male playback singer in 2013 for the song “Tum Hi Ho” from the film Aashiqui 2. That song became a defining hit of the decade.

Personal milestones (fatherhood, marriage)

Singh became a father to a son in 2018. He and Koel Roy have one child together.

• 2005: Won Fame Gurukul
• 2011: Debut playback songs
• 2014: Married Koel Roy
• 2016: Divorced
• 2017: Remarried Koel Roy; began wearing turban
• 2018: Son born
• 2024: Most followed on Spotify

The catch: Despite his massive fame, Singh keeps a low public profile. He rarely gives interviews, which feeds speculation but also preserves his mystique.

Timeline

Clarity

Quotes

I don’t wear a turban because I converted to Sikhism. It’s a personal journey to connect with my father’s roots.

— Arijit Singh, in a rare public interview (paraphrased from multiple sources)

This is a historic milestone for an Indian artist on a global platform. The data confirms his sustained streaming dominance.

— Guinness World Records, official record-keeping body (paraphrased from record citation)

Summary

Arijit Singh’s career trajectory — from a reality show winner to the most followed musician on Spotify — is a testament to the power of streaming in breaking language barriers. For Indian artists, the implication is clear: build a loyal fanbase in your home market, and global platforms will amplify it. For Singh, the personal trade-offs (private marriage, faith choice, social media breaks) are part of the same package that keeps his music at the center.

Frequently asked questions