In a rare, candid conversation on The Music Podcast hosted by Tarsame Mittal, Arijit Singh pulls back the curtain on his artistry, personal life, and visionary ideas. Far from the larger-than-life celebrity image, Arijit emerges as a deeply thoughtful, humble, and multifaceted creator — a lifelong learner, tech enthusiast, filmmaker at heart, philosopher, and philanthropist.
The ‘Real’ Arijit Singh: Beyond the Spotlight
Arijit begins by addressing the gap between public perception and reality. Fans often assume he lives a lavish, party-filled life or owns massive wealth. In truth, he disassociates from his “celebrity” name at home and in the studio, finding the hype irritating. He emphasizes staying grounded: “The real Arijit” is the one shaped by everyday habits, not assumptions.
This humility ties into his core philosophy — constant learning as a non-negotiable culture for musicians. He stresses that artists must daily explore production, instruments, and new genres to innovate rather than repeat formulas.
AI as a Creative Tool, Not a Threat
One of the most forward-looking segments explores Arijit’s views on artificial intelligence. He sees AI not as a job-killer but as a powerful ally — essentially “data-fed patterns” mirroring human learning habits. He’s already experimented with it for vocal work, including collaborations with Sunny M.R. on patents and voice licensing.
Arijit shares how he deliberately “sculpted” his own voice early on — breaking old habits and rebuilding projection and texture, much like muscle training. For him, AI opens doors for singers to experiment with sounds while preserving the irreplaceable human emotion. He remains optimistic: technology should enhance creativity, not replace the soul of music.
From Typecasting to Independence: Oriyon Music & Love for Filmmaking
After blockbuster hits like “Tum Hi Ho” and “Channa Mereya,” Arijit faced typecasting — industry requests for similar emotional ballads. He notes you can’t engineer a hit; authenticity matters more.
This led him to launch Oriyon Music, his independent label and edutainment venture. Initially a space for self-composition exercises and publishing, it now fosters collaborations and cultural projects. Arijit reveals a deep passion for films, inspired by masters like Satyajit Ray and James Cameron. Movies, he says, have life-changing power through storytelling.
In his younger days, he experimented with a DSLR camera, shooting in real locations to capture authentic characters and perspectives. Filmmaking, for him, is an extension of musical expression — building mood boards (often sourced from Instagram as a “reference book”) for cinematography, art, and dance.
Guru-Shishya Tradition, Habits & Life Lessons
Arijit credits his mother and classical teachers for instilling the Guru-Shishya (teacher-disciple) culture of respect, honesty, and focus. He shares a memorable story about forming patterns through consistent actions, referencing the mythological Narad Muni to illustrate the power of disciplined practice.
One standout anecdote: A school lab trespass incident taught him self-reliance — the importance of creating your own rules and learning from mistakes without external direction.
He envisions a full school of music that goes beyond technical training. It would prioritize physical health, mental awareness, playfulness, and starting with basics like the ‘Sa’ note for clarity and grounding. The goal? Nurture well-rounded artists in a supportive, volunteer-driven environment that channels youthful energy positively.
Advice for the Industry, Aspiring Artists & Philanthropy
Arijit offers practical wisdom:
- To music labels and filmmakers: Be fair and transparent with payments. Honor artists’ passion and create proportional compensation.
- To young aspirants: Build versatile skills (production, instruments, genres). Choose between playback or independent paths mindfully. Focus on consistency, learning, and authenticity over trends.
- On Auto-Tune: It’s not cheating — a legitimate tool (like in A.R. Rahman’s subtle use) that smooths delivery while keeping human emotion intact. Used wisely, it enhances rather than fakes.
He also discusses his Tatwamasi Foundation, rooted in Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Started to create societal impact without direct personal branding, it focuses on health, education, sports, and inclusive community service. Arijit envisions small holistic hospitals and programs that foster shared joy and ownership. His educational shift from science to arts (influenced by a guru and philosophy) reinforced his drive for service.
Live Shows, Collaborations & Musical Tastes
The podcast dives into the realities of touring: heavy investment in sound equipment and tech teams, quirky management rituals (like watching Savadhan India), and hilarious stories — including a hotel room mix-up and an Australia show aftermath.
Memorable performances include emotional highs in Dallas, Australia, and venues like D.Y. Patil Stadium. Arijit dreams of global collaborations with legends like Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Hans Zimmer, Justin Timberlake, and Post Malone.
His current playlist is eclectic: Lizzy McAlpine (“Ceilings”), classical greats like Ustad Amir Khan and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, The Yellow Diary, AP Dhillon, Himani Kapoor, and A.R. Rahman’s work.
What Needs to Change in the Music Industry?
Arijit advocates for systemic improvements: better pay and rights for session musicians, government-backed venues and infrastructure, and support for dying traditional forms like Baul music. He calls for a more inclusive, sustainable ecosystem that values creators at every level.
Why This Conversation Matters
This episode isn’t just another celebrity interview — it’s a masterclass in mindful creativity, lifelong learning, and using one’s platform for good. Arijit Singh reveals himself as an artist who values depth over fame, process over perfection, and impact over ego.
Whether you’re a fan, aspiring musician, filmmaker, or simply curious about the man behind the voice that has soundtracked a generation, this podcast offers profound insights and inspiration.
Watch the full episode here: YouTube
What struck you most about Arijit’s revelations? His take on AI, the vision for his music school, or the live concert stories? Share in the comments.
