Indie Hitmaker Anuv Jain: Building a Hit Career Beyond Bollywood

The Punjab‑born singer‑songwriter has built a fanbase that numbers in the millions on YouTube without the help of India’s film industry. He attributes his growth to keeping the music simple, honest and absolutely his own.

Can an Indian artist find success beyond Bollywood while keeping his music true to himself?

Jain’s soft vocals and introspective lyrics have wrapped millions of listeners in a timeless, acoustic pop sound. “It isn’t about the numbers,” he says backstage before a sold‑out London show, but the data tells another story: 3.9 million Instagram followers and over 20 million monthly Spotify listeners.

In his early days he released only one track a year, waiting for each to feel complete. Today he says he has several songs ready that he thinks are “beautiful” and may drop more than one piece in the coming months. The rule is simple: begin a project and see it through until completion; unfinished work does not mix with finished work.

Jain recalls that the best songs come from imagining a listener in a car, on a run, or alone at night and composing for those moments. He wishes his music sounded warm enough that his mum, sister and wife would also enjoy it. That gentle, universal taste, he believes, attracts millions who crave more lyric‑driven pop.

Unlike many contemporary artists who rely on Bollywood for exposure, Jain exists in an alternate space where he releases music directly to fans. His track “Jo Tum Mere Ho” and a collaboration with AP Dhillon, “Afsos”, both topped the Asian Music Charts, proving the power of independent routes.

While he remains open to cross‑genre collaborations with larger names, Jain stresses that the storytelling must not dilute. “The narrative cannot be watered down merely because a bigger star is attached,” he says. He admits he feels not yet ready for big‑name collaborations but does envision joining forces with ex‑One Direction singer Zayn Malik if the music fits.

In a world where Bollywood often dictates the music industry, Jain’s journey showcases a new path for ambitious singers: stay true to your sound, finish what you start, and let the millions that listen decide your next step.