fbpx
152 Views

Highest-Paid Indian Singers

Singer

Highest Paid Indian Singers
14 Jan, 2025

Share

India’s music industry is home to an array of exceptionally talented singers who have won the hearts of audiences with their mesmerizing voices and remarkable artistry. From celebrated playback singers in Bollywood to trailblazing independent artists, these musicians have captivated audiences across generations.

Their soulful renditions and iconic performances have not only enriched India’s cultural landscape but also propelled them to the pinnacle of the limelight, earning them widespread acclaim and substantial wealth.

In this comprehensive guide, we spotlight the highest-paid Indian singers who have transformed the country’s music scene with their distinct voices and cemented their status as top earners in the industry.

Launch Offer
Discount Zone Activated

The music stars and performers, it’s your time to shine on the big stage!

Small Price, Big Impacts — A One-time discount for the first 500 members!

  • Current Price: $48/Year
  • Offer Price: $25/Year

Your dream deals are just a click away!

List of Highest-paid Indian singers

1: A.R. Rahman

A.R. Rahman
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $360,000

A.R. Rahman is a legendary music composer, record producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and philanthropist. Renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to Indian cinema, Rahman’s vocal performances are as enchanting as his compositions, leaving an indelible mark on Tamil and Hindi films alike.

Rahman’s journey to fame began in 1992 when he composed the score and soundtrack for Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Roja.

Blending Carnatic, Western, and Hindustani classical influences, Rahman has created a distinctive style that has earned him global acclaim. His exceptional talent has garnered numerous prestigious accolades, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, two Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe, and multiple National Film Awards.

2: Shreya Ghoshal

Shreya Ghoshal
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $30,000

Shreya Ghoshal is a versatile and acclaimed singer known for her extraordinary vocal range and ability to master a wide variety of genres, including Indian pop, filmi, ghazal, electronic, folk, sufi, and classical music. She began her musical journey at the tender age of four and formally trained in classical music by the age of six.

Her breakthrough came when she won the television singing competition Sa Re Ga Ma, which paved the way for her debut in Bollywood. In 2002, Ghoshal lent her voice to the romantic drama Devdas, delivering iconic songs like Bairi Piya and Dola Re Dola.

Renowned for her exceptional vocal expressions and emotive performances, Shreya Ghoshal is one of the finest vocalists in the Indian subcontinent. She is one of the highest-paid Indian singers who has become one of Bollywood’s most sought-after singers, amassing a plethora of prestigious accolades, including National Film Awards, Kerala State Film Awards, Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, BFJA Awards, and multiple Filmfare Awards.

3: Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $21,000 to $24,000

Arijit Singh is one of India’s most celebrated singers, whose musical journey began in 2005 as a contestant on the reality show Fame Gurukul. Coming from a musically inclined family, Singh started his formal training at a young age, which laid the foundation for his remarkable career.

Primarily known for his work in Hindi and Bengali music, Arijit made his debut in Hindi cinema with the song Phir Mohabbat in the 2011 film Murder 2, composed by Mithoon. However, his big break came in 2013 with the chart-topping tracks Tum Hi Ho and Chahun Main Ya Naa from Aashiqui 2, which earned him widespread acclaim.

A versatile artist, Arijit Singh seamlessly navigates genres like filmi, Sufi, pop, folk, EDM, ghazals, and classical, making him a defining voice in contemporary Bollywood music. As of 2024, he has achieved the distinction of being the most-followed artist globally on Spotify, amassing over 132 million followers.

Launch Offer
Discount Zone Activated

The music stars and performers, it’s your time to shine on the big stage!

Small Price, Big Impacts — A One-time discount for the first 500 members!

  • Current Price: $48/Year
  • Offer Price: $25/Year

Your dream deals are just a click away!

4: Sunidhi Chauhan

Sunidhi Chauhan
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $21,000 to $24,000

Sunidhi Chauhan is renowned for her remarkable high-octave vocal range and versatile musical style, which spans pop, hip-hop, and R&B. She began performing at local events at the age of five, showcasing her natural talent early on. By 13, Chauhan made her debut in playback singing with the song Ladki Deewani Ladka Deewana from the film Shastra (1996).

Her breakthrough came the same year when she won India’s first singing reality show, Meri Awaz Suno, and soon after, she earned widespread recognition with the song Ruki Ruki Si Zindagi from Mast (1999).

With numerous accolades to her name, including three Filmfare Awards and the RD Burman Award for New Music Talent, Sunidhi Chauhan has become a significant figure in the Indian music industry. Beyond playback singing, she has also appeared as a judge on various TV reality shows and featured in music videos, further solidifying her presence in the entertainment world.

5: Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $18,000 to $21,600

Sonu Nigam, a legendary playback singer and music director, is known for his exceptional vocal range and mastery across diverse genres, including romantic, rock, devotional, ghazal, and patriotic songs. At the age of 19, he moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in Bollywood and recorded his first film song, O Aasmanwale, for Aaja Meri Jaan (1993).

Sonu’s breakthrough came in 1995 with the song Accha Sila Diya from the film Bewafa Sanam, which became a massive hit and established him as a prominent voice in the industry. Primarily known for his work in Hindi and Kannada cinema, he has also sung in numerous Indian languages, showcasing his versatility and making him one of the most successful and highest-paid Indian singers.

With a repertoire of over 4,000 songs across various languages, Sonu Nigam has earned a place among the highest-paid and most revered singers in India.

6: Badshah

Badshah
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $21,000 to $24,000 (estimated)

Badshah is a prominent rapper, singer, songwriter, and music producer who has made a lasting impact on the mainstream music scene with his catchy tracks and unique blend of underground sounds.

In 2018, he skyrocketed to fame with his debut commercial song DJ Waley Babu, which became a massive hit, amassing over 50 million views within 24 hours of its release.

Badshah has played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian hip-hop, rap, and Bollywood music landscape, delivering chart-topping songs in Hindi, English, Punjabi, and Haryanvi. His versatility has also led him to collaborate with international artists such as J Balvin and Tainy on the 2022 track Voodoo.

Beyond his musical career, Badshah has made notable appearances as a judge on several popular television shows, including Indian Idol, India’s Got Talent, Dil Hai Hindustani, and MTV Hustle.

Launch Offer
Discount Zone Activated

The music stars and performers, it’s your time to shine on the big stage!

Small Price, Big Impacts — A One-time discount for the first 500 members!

  • Current Price: $48/Year
  • Offer Price: $25/Year

Your dream deals are just a click away!

7: Shaan

Shaan
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $12,000

Shaan is a playback singer, composer, and television host who began his career by singing jingles for advertisements, remixing tracks, and recording cover versions of popular songs. In 1999, he made his playback singing debut in the film Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, lending his voice to the soulful tracks Woh Pehli Baar and Musu Musu, which instantly resonated with listeners and showcased his emotive vocal style.

Known for his versatility, Shaan excels in a range of genres, including filmi, pop, rock, and classical music, and has sung in various languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, and Telugu. His contributions to the music industry have firmly established him as one of India’s greatest and highest-paid Indian singers.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Shaan has earned numerous awards, including the MTV Asia Music Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Bollywood Movie Awards, and IIFA Awards, further solidifying his legacy in Indian music.

8: Neha Kakkar

Neha Kakkar
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $12,000

Neha Kakkar began her journey in singing at a young age, performing at religious events, and quickly became known for her infectious energy and distinctive voice. She soon rose to prominence as one of the leading figures in the Bollywood music industry. In 2005, Kakkar participated in the second season of the popular singing reality TV show Indian Idol, which marked the beginning of her national recognition.

In 2008, she made her Bollywood debut as a chorus singer in Meerabai Not Out, but it was the 2012 dance track Second Hand Jawaani from Cocktail that truly catapulted her into the spotlight.

By 2019, Kakkar was listed among the most-viewed female artists on YouTube, with an astounding 13.9 billion views. In 2021, she made history by becoming the first Indian singer to receive the prestigious YouTube Diamond Award.

9: Mika Singh

Mika singh
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $12,000

Mika Singh is renowned for his high-energy performances and distinct pop musical style in Bollywood. Coming from a musically inclined family, he learned to play the tabla, harmonium, and guitar at a young age. In 1998, he released his debut album Sawan Mein Lag Gayee Aag, which became an instant hit, setting the stage for a successful career in music.

Mika has delivered a string of chart-topping songs, including Bas Ek King (2008), Mauja Hi Mauja (2007), and Ibn-e-Batuta (2010), further solidifying his presence in the industry.

Mika has also performed live at prestigious events, such as the Annual Bollywood and Bhangra Concert at London’s Wembley Arena, alongside renowned artists like Shafqat Amanat Ali. In addition, Mika served as a mentor, judge, and team captain for Mika Blasters on the reality show Music Ka Maha Muqabla.

Launch Offer
Discount Zone Activated

The music stars and performers, it’s your time to shine on the big stage!

Small Price, Big Impacts — A One-time discount for the first 500 members!

  • Current Price: $48/Year
  • Offer Price: $25/Year

Your dream deals are just a click away!

10: Yo Yo Honey Singh

Yo Yo Honey Singh
An image credit example from a Wikipedia

Earning Per Song: $12,000

Yo Yo Honey Singh is widely recognized for his unique fusion of rap, Punjabi, and Hindi music and has played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian music scene. His career began in 2003 as a hip-hop producer, working as a session and recording artist. In 2011, Singh made his mark with the release of his debut studio album, International Villager, which firmly established him in the music industry.

In 2013, Honey Singh released the hit song Blue Eyes, which showcased his ability to seamlessly blend Hindi and English lyrics with a contemporary, international sound. Known for his upbeat, funky, and party anthems, he quickly became one of the highest-paid Indian singers.

FAQs

Who are the highest-paid Indian singers?

Notable highest-paid Indian singers includes:

  • A.R. Rahman
  • Shreya Ghoshal
  • Arijit Singh
  • Sunidhi Chauhan
  • Sonu Nigam
  • Badshah
  • Shaan
  • Neha Kakkar
  • Mika Singh
  • Yo Yo Honey Singh

Who is the highest-paid singer in Bollywood?

Shreya Ghoshal is a famous Bollywood singer who earns $30,000 per song.

How much do Indian singers earn per song?

Indian singers typically charge $6,000 to $12,000 per song, with some top names charging over $24,000. However, AR Rahman charges $360,000 per song due to his popularity.

Which Indian singers have international recognition?

A.R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, Badshah, and Yo Yo Honey Singh have gained international recognition for their singing and music.

What factors determine a singer’s earnings in India?

Indian singer’s earnings depend on their popularity, genre, experience, live performances, industry connections, and royalties from song plays.