Top Trending New Bollywood Singer 2026: The Hindi music industry is witnessing a major shift in 2026. Along with established names, a new generation of singers is gaining popularity through Bollywood films, independent music, streaming platforms, Instagram Reels and YouTube. The rise of independent artists has made it possible for singers to build a fan base before getting regular opportunities in film music. India Today also highlighted this trend in 2026, noting that several emerging musicians are gaining attention without major-label backing.
Among the names attracting considerable attention are Aditya Rikhari, Faheem Abdullah, Hansika Pareek, Saaj Bhatt, Varun Jain, Iqlipse Nova and other emerging voices. Some have already entered Bollywood playback singing, while others are moving from independent music into film soundtracks.
Note: “Trending” is not an official ranking. The list below is based on recent Bollywood releases, streaming activity, audience interest and the artists’ growing presence in Hindi film and independent music during 2026.
Top New and Trending Bollywood Singers in 2026
| Rank | Singer | Known For / Recent Work | Music Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aditya Rikhari | Dil Waale Chor, Ae Ajnabee, Boohe Baarian | Indie-pop, romantic |
| 2 | Faheem Abdullah | Saiyaara, Chand Mera Dil, Hoor | Romantic, soulful |
| 3 | Hansika Pareek | Tum Ho Toh, Tera Hua Sahiba, Ajeeb-O-Gareeb | Romantic, melodious |
| 4 | Saaj Bhatt | Tera Mera Rishta – New Version, Tera Naam | Romantic, Bollywood pop |
| 5 | Varun Jain | Janam Mera and other recent releases | Soft romantic pop |
| 6 | Iqlipse Nova | Aakhri Saans | Indie-pop, contemporary |
| 7 | Garvit–Priyansh | Tera Hua Sahiba, Kaafi Hai Na, Toota Rahunga | Indie, romantic |
| 8 | Sharvi Yadav | Banger and independent music | Pop, contemporary |
| 9 | Kushagra | Independent and Hindi-pop releases | Romantic indie |
| 10 | Dhwani Parikh | More Sajan | Contemporary Hindi pop |
Current 2026 music playlists show several of these artists appearing alongside established Bollywood singers, demonstrating how quickly the new generation is entering mainstream Hindi music.
1. Aditya Rikhari
Aditya Rikhari is arguably one of the strongest names among India’s rapidly rising singer-songwriters in 2026. The New Delhi-based artist gained a large audience through independent music before moving deeper into Bollywood playback singing. India Today described him as one of the country’s fastest-rising pop musicians. His song Sahiba also achieved an exceptional run on Spotify India’s Top Songs chart.
His Bollywood journey has included songs such as Jaana Samjho Na from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Raat Bhar from De De Pyaar De 2 and more recent film work. In 2026, his catalogue includes Dil Waale Chor and Ae Ajnabee, while his independent releases continue to attract listeners.
Why Aditya Rikhari Is Trending
- Strong independent-music fan base
- Distinctive and emotional vocal style
- Successful transition into Bollywood playback singing
- Popular romantic songs
- Growing presence on major streaming platforms
- Continues to release both film and independent music
2. Faheem Abdullah
Faheem Abdullah has emerged as one of the most recognisable young voices in contemporary Hindi music. His popularity increased significantly with Saiyaara, and he has continued his Bollywood journey with songs connected to projects such as Chand Mera Dil.
His 2026 releases include Aitbaar from Chand Mera Dil and Hoor from Coke Studio Bharat. Apple Music also lists several 2026 releases associated with his growing Bollywood and independent catalogue.
Faheem’s Spotify profile indicates a very large monthly listener base, and his music is being surfaced through playlists such as Hot Hits Hindi and Trending Now India.
Why Faheem Abdullah Is Trending
- Distinctive soulful voice
- Strong appeal among young listeners
- Success with romantic Hindi songs
- Bollywood and Coke Studio exposure
- Strong streaming presence
3. Hansika Pareek
Hansika Pareek is another important name in the new generation of Hindi playback singers. Originally from Ajmer, Rajasthan, she began her professional journey at a young age and gradually moved into film and web-series music.
Her career received a significant boost through songs such as Ajeeb-O-Gareeb from Azaad and Tum Ho Toh from Saiyaara. Apple Music describes her as a Hindi pop singer-songwriter and film playback singer.
In 2026, she continued her momentum with releases including Tera Hua Sahiba from Musafir Cafe. Her Spotify profile also shows millions of monthly listeners, indicating strong audience interest.
Popular Hansika Pareek Songs
- Tum Ho Toh
- Ajeeb-O-Gareeb
- Kaise Ab Kahein
- Tera Hua Sahiba
- Aaja Re Piya
4. Saaj Bhatt
Saaj Bhatt has become a familiar voice in contemporary Hindi romantic music. His songs frequently combine traditional Bollywood melody with modern production, making them suitable for both films and digital music platforms.
In 2026, Saaj Bhatt appears on releases including Tera Mera Rishta – New Version and Tera Naam. His continued presence on current Hindi music playlists makes him one of the singers worth watching in the new-generation Bollywood space.
5. Varun Jain
Varun Jain is another emerging singer who has been building a presence in Hindi film and independent music. His softer vocal approach works particularly well for romantic songs and contemporary Bollywood soundtracks.
His 2026 catalogue includes Janam Mera, released with Armaan Lahoria and Snipr. The song appears among the newer Hindi releases being tracked on contemporary music playlists.
6. Iqlipse Nova
Iqlipse Nova represents the growing crossover between India’s independent music scene and mainstream Hindi entertainment. Rather than following only the traditional playback-singer route, artists like Iqlipse Nova are building audiences through digital-first music.
The 2026 release Aakhri Saans, featuring Iqlipse Nova and Aditya A, is among the newer Hindi tracks appearing on current music playlists.
7. Garvit–Priyansh
Garvit–Priyansh is a promising emerging music act associated with several recent Hindi releases. Their work combines contemporary production with emotional and romantic songwriting.
Their 2026 releases include Tera Hua Sahiba, Kaafi Hai Na and Toota Rahunga. These tracks have helped place the duo among the newer voices appearing in current Hindi music discovery playlists.
8. Sharvi Yadav
Sharvi Yadav is gaining attention for her contemporary pop and playback-oriented style. She has appeared on newer Bollywood-oriented releases, including Banger with Badshah and Hiten.
Her growing collaborations demonstrate how today’s new singers are moving between independent music, streaming releases and mainstream Bollywood projects.
9. Kushagra
Kushagra is part of the emerging Indian independent-pop movement that is increasingly influencing Bollywood music. His music has helped him build recognition among younger streaming audiences.
The growth of artists like Kushagra demonstrates that singers no longer necessarily need to begin their careers through traditional Bollywood playback opportunities. Streaming platforms and social media can provide the initial audience before film opportunities follow.
10. Dhwani Parikh
Dhwani Parikh is another emerging Hindi music voice appearing in the current music ecosystem. Her 2026 release More Sajan is among the newer Hindi tracks included in contemporary Bollywood/new-music playlists.
Her presence reflects the increasing demand for fresh female voices in romantic, pop and film-oriented Hindi music.
Top Trending Male Bollywood Singers 2026
| Rank | Singer | Category | Why Trending in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Faheem Abdullah | Male | Major breakthrough with the Saiyaara title track; won Best Playback Singer – Male at the 2026 Pinkvilla Screen & Style Icons Awards. |
| 2 | Laqshay Kapoor | Male | Emerging romantic voice with a growing Bollywood playback presence and collaborations with established singers. |
| 3 | Vishal Mishra | Male | Popular among younger listeners for emotional and romantic songs; frequently highlighted among singers shaping modern romance. |
| 4 | Stebin Ben | Male | Known for romantic tracks and strong youth following; continues to feature prominently in contemporary Hindi music. |
| 5 | Darshan Raval | Male | Strong independent fan base and continued popularity for romantic songs such as “Tera Zikr” and “Asal Mein.” |
| 6 | Armaan Malik | Male | Established young-generation singer with continued popularity in Hindi and Indian pop music. |
| 7 | Jubin Nautiyal | Male | Continues to remain one of the popular voices for romantic and soulful Bollywood songs. |
| 8 | Sachet Tandon | Male | Known for contemporary Bollywood soundtracks and collaborations, particularly in romantic and energetic songs. |
| 9 | Aditya Rikhari | Male | Emerging independent/pop voice gaining attention among younger streaming audiences. |
| 10 | Anuv Jain | Male | Strong digital and youth following, with indie music increasingly crossing into mainstream Bollywood audiences. |
Top Trending Female Bollywood Singers 2026
| Rank | Singer | Category | Why Trending in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreya Ghoshal | Female | Remains one of India’s most prominent female playback singers and continues to release successful music. |
| 2 | Shilpa Rao | Female | Strong Bollywood presence through major contemporary soundtracks and popular modern vocals. |
| 3 | Sunidhi Chauhan | Female | Experiencing renewed popularity, particularly through live performances and her evolving stage persona. |
| 4 | Asees Kaur | Female | Popular contemporary playback voice, particularly in romantic and emotional Hindi songs. |
| 5 | Jonita Gandhi | Female | Continues to attract attention through Bollywood playback work and live performances. |
| 6 | Palak Muchhal | Female | Remains a recognizable voice in romantic and emotional Bollywood music. |
| 7 | Neeti Mohan | Female | Continues to feature in Hindi film and contemporary Indian music. |
| 8 | Jasleen Royal | Female | Singer-composer with a strong presence in contemporary Bollywood and independent music. |
| 9 | Prakriti Kakar | Female | Young-generation playback singer with a growing catalogue of Hindi film songs. |
| 10 | Jyotirmayee Nayak | Female | New-generation singer who won Indian Idol 16 in 2026 and has expressed interest in entering Bollywood playback singing. |
Top Newcomers to Watch in Bollywood Music 2026
| Singer | Gender | Status in 2026 | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faheem Abdullah | Male | Breakthrough | Saiyaara title track |
| Laqshay Kapoor | Male | Emerging | Romantic Bollywood music |
| Aditya Rikhari | Male | Emerging | Indie-to-mainstream popularity |
| Anuv Jain | Male | Emerging | Strong youth/streaming following |
| Jyotirmayee Nayak | Female | Newcomer | Indian Idol 16 winner |
| Prakriti Kakar | Female | Emerging | Contemporary Bollywood playback |
| Jasleen Royal | Female | Established/New-generation | Singer-composer and Bollywood music |
| Jonita Gandhi | Female | Rising/Established | Bollywood playback and live music |
Who Is the Biggest New Male Singer in 2026?
Faheem Abdullah is arguably the standout new male Bollywood voice of 2026. His Saiyaara title track became a major talking point, and he subsequently won the Best Playback Singer – Male award at the 2026 Pinkvilla Screen & Style Icons Awards.
Who Is the New Female Singer to Watch in 2026?
Jyotirmayee Nayak is one of the most promising new female voices to watch. After winning Indian Idol Season 16, she has spoken about wanting to pursue Bollywood playback singing, making her a notable newcomer for the coming years.
Important 2026 context: Arijit Singh announced in January 2026 that he would no longer accept new playback-singing assignments, although he continues his independent musical activities. This has also created more attention around the next generation of Bollywood playback voices.
Why New Singers Are Becoming Popular in Bollywood in 2026
The path to becoming a Bollywood singer has changed considerably. Earlier, singers generally depended on music directors, labels and film studios to get their first major opportunity. Today, independent releases can become viral before an artist receives a major film project.
1. Social Media and Reels
Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts and other short-video platforms can turn an unknown song into a national hit within days. Emerging singers can therefore develop an audience without depending entirely on traditional music labels. India Today identified this independent, social-media-driven route as a major factor behind the rise of new artists in 2026.
2. Streaming Platforms
Spotify, Apple Music and other platforms have changed how listeners discover music. A singer with a successful independent single can reach millions of listeners before appearing in a major Bollywood soundtrack.
3. Independent Music
Artists such as Aditya Rikhari demonstrate the potential of independent music. His success with Sahiba helped establish a strong audience before his expanding Bollywood playback career.
4. Changing Bollywood Sound
Hindi films increasingly use indie-pop, folk, hip-hop, electronic music and regional influences. This has created opportunities for singers whose voices and styles may not fit the conventional playback model.
5. Collaborations
Young singers are increasingly collaborating with established composers, producers and singers. These collaborations provide exposure while allowing new artists to retain their individual musical identity.
New Bollywood Singers vs Established Singers
The rise of new singers does not mean that established playback singers have disappeared. In fact, 2026 continues to feature major names such as Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam and Arijit Singh.
Interestingly, Sonu Nigam topped India Today’s January 2026 Mood of the Nation ranking for Indian music, while Arijit Singh remained one of the country’s most prominent streaming artists despite his announcement that he would stop accepting new playback assignments.
This creates an interesting situation: established singers continue to dominate the industry, while younger artists are increasingly becoming important through streaming and independent music.
| New-generation trend | Traditional Bollywood model |
| Viral social media songs | Film-first exposure |
| Independent releases | Label/film-backed releases |
| Direct fan interaction | Traditional celebrity promotion |
| Streaming-driven popularity | Radio/TV and film-driven popularity |
| Genre experimentation | More conventional playback roles |
| Multiple collaborations | Music-director-led opportunities |
Who Is the Most Promising New Bollywood Singer in 2026?
Aditya Rikhari stands out as one of the strongest candidates because he has successfully combined independent music popularity with Bollywood playback opportunities. His Sahiba success, film credits and 2026 releases show a clear transition from independent singer-songwriter to mainstream Hindi music artist.
Faheem Abdullah is another major contender, particularly because of his strong streaming audience and continued presence in Bollywood and Coke Studio projects.
Among female emerging voices, Hansika Pareek deserves particular attention because of her work with major composers and singers and her growing streaming audience.
Top 5 New Bollywood Singers to Watch in 2026
| Singer | Main Strength | 2026 Outlook |
| Aditya Rikhari | Romantic indie-pop + playback | 5-star |
| Faheem Abdullah | Soulful voice + film music | 5-star |
| Hansika Pareek | Female playback + romantic music | 5-star |
| Saaj Bhatt | Bollywood romantic songs | 4-star |
| Varun Jain | Soft contemporary vocals | 4-star |
Future of New Bollywood Singers
The future of Hindi playback singing is likely to become increasingly diverse. The distinction between an “independent singer” and a “Bollywood singer” is becoming less rigid because artists can simultaneously release independent singles, collaborate with music producers and appear on film soundtracks.
The success of Aditya Rikhari and Faheem Abdullah illustrates this transition particularly well. At the same time, artists such as Hansika Pareek show that younger female singers are also establishing themselves through a combination of film music, independent releases and streaming platforms.
Conclusion
The Top Trending New Bollywood Singers 2026 list reflects a changing Hindi music industry. Artists are no longer required to wait for a major Bollywood launch to become popular. Independent songs, streaming platforms, social media and collaborations can now create a nationwide audience.
Among the emerging names, Aditya Rikhari, Faheem Abdullah and Hansika Pareek currently stand out for their combination of streaming popularity, recent film work and growing recognition. Saaj Bhatt, Varun Jain, Iqlipse Nova, Garvit–Priyansh, Sharvi Yadav, Kushagra and Dhwani Parikh are also names to watch as the Hindi music landscape continues to evolve through 2026.
FAQs
Q1. Who is the top new Bollywood singer in 2026?
Aditya Rikhari is one of the strongest new-generation Bollywood singers in 2026, particularly because of his successful transition from independent music to film playback singing.
Q2. Is Faheem Abdullah a Bollywood singer?
Yes. Faheem Abdullah has established himself in Hindi film music and has appeared on projects including Saiyaara and Chand Mera Dil. He also has a 2026 Coke Studio Bharat release, Hoor.
Q3. Who is the new female Bollywood singer to watch in 2026?
Hansika Pareek is one of the prominent emerging female voices. She has worked on Bollywood and other Hindi entertainment projects and released Tera Hua Sahiba in 2026.
Q4. Why are new singers becoming popular so quickly?
Social media, streaming platforms, viral short videos and independent music allow singers to build an audience before receiving major Bollywood opportunities.
Q5. Can independent singers become Bollywood playback singers?
Yes. Aditya Rikhari is a strong example of an independent singer-songwriter who has subsequently developed a Bollywood playback career.
Q6. Which new singers should music lovers watch in 2026?
Aditya Rikhari, Faheem Abdullah, Hansika Pareek, Saaj Bhatt, Varun Jain, Iqlipse Nova and Garvit–Priyansh are among the emerging artists worth following based on their recent releases and growing presence in Hindi music.