Making a name in Bollywood is never easy especially if you don’t have any connections. We’ve seen stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Kartik Aaryan, and Kriti Sanon struggle their way up. But if you think the film industry is tough, the music world is even harder. That’s why this singer’s rags to riches story feels so special. From performing at religious gatherings as a child to topping global music charts today, she’s living proof that passion and persistence can change your life.
A childhood full of struggles
Born in Rishikesh, she grew up in a small house with her parents and two siblings. Due to money constraints, the family shifted to Delhi when she was just four. To survive, she and her siblings sang at religious gatherings (mata ka jagrata), often performing throughout the night. What no one knew back then was that this little girl would one day become one of India’s biggest pop sensations and everyone would know her as ‘The Neha Kakkar.’
Neha’s musical journey never started with any professional training. She learned by watching and singing along with her elder siblings, Sonu and Tony. The three of them would sing at jagratas, until the next day.
Speaking about those days on Indian Idol in one of the throwback videos, Neha once said, “I have been singing since I was four. Back then, there were no time limits. The performances continued till morning, and sometimes, people didn’t even care about our effort. Singing all night meant I couldn’t attend school the next day.”
Even after all that hard work, her family struggled financially for years. Neha has shared how her father once sold samosas outside her sister Sonu Kakkar’s college. “Students would tease her, and it was heartbreaking,” she once revealed in Indian Idol.
Mumbai turned her dreams to reality
At 16, Neha moved to Mumbai to audition for Indian Idol. She didn’t win, but the show gave her a platform. Years later, she returned to the same stage, but this time as a judge.
“When I came as a contestant, I felt so small. My confidence was low, and I just hoped to maybe win the show. Sitting in that judge’s chair years later, I could almost see teenage Neha beside me, reminding me, ‘Kahaan se kahaan aagayi,’” she said.
In one of her interviews with Radio City, she shared that she doesn’t know what Sargam is. “I don’t know what Sargam is. I just listened to people and sang. Even today, Rohan (her husband, singer Rohanpreet Singh) teaches me because he’s trained.”
How did Neha Kakkar make her musical debut in Bollywood?
Neha’s career took off in 2012 with the song Second Hand Jawani from the film Cocktail. The song was a big hit and gave her recognition. Soon after, Yo Yo Honey Singh offered her Aaj Blue Hai Paani Paani, and from there her journey only went upwards.
She went on to deliver back-to-back hits like London Thumakda, Kala Chashma, Tukur Tukur, and Dilbar. Each song made her more popular and helped her establish herself as a major name in the music industry. Today, Neha is not just loved in India but has also gained global recognition. She is among the top 25 most-followed female artists on Spotify worldwide.
‘I ended up compromising my health:’ Neha Kakkar
But success also brought challenges. Neha admitted that fame left her drained at times.
“I suddenly became extremely busy, performing back-to-back shows in India and abroad. I didn’t even have time to breathe. I ended up compromising my health. Now, I’ve finally taken a break because I can afford to. It’s a luxury,” she said in one of her throwback interviews.
Her personal life also went through ups and downs. After her breakup with actor Himansh Kohli, Neha openly spoke about battling depression. She also revealed dealing with thyroid and anxiety.
Neha Kakkar’s biggest support
Through it all, Neha has leaned on her family. Her siblings Tony and Sonu are singers too, and her husband Rohanpreet Singh has been her constant cheerleader. “Today, the men in my family, whether it’s Rohan, Tony, or my father, they all want me to be bigger than them. They call me their flag-bearer. It feels incredible,” Neha said.
From singing jagratas as a child and watching her father struggle to now being a household name, her journey shows how far passion and hard work can take you.