Rakesh Pandit is an Indian playback singer known for his work in Hindi cinema and for his versatility across classical, semi-classical, ghazal, qawwali, Sufi, folk and devotional music. He has reportedly sung more than 100 Bollywood songs and has also released Indian pop music and performed extensively on stage.
He is particularly known for songs associated with films such as Maqbool, Omkara, Guzaarish, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Shikhar, Stumped and Yeh Faasley.
Among his notable recordings are “Jhin Min Jhini” and “Ru-Ba-Ru” from Maqbool, as well as “Yeh Jo Tera Zikr Hai” from Guzaarish. He also contributed vocals to songs from Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, including “Tum Jo Aaye Zindagi Mein” and “Pee Loon.”Rakesh Pandit was born on 8 September 1967 in Borivali, Mumbai. He comes from a musical family and is the son of renowned classical and qawwali musician Shambhu Pandit, associated with the famous Shankar–Shambhu qawwali tradition. His uncle Shankar Pandit also played an important role in his musical training.
He began learning music at a very young age and started performing publicly during his teenage years. According to biographical sources, he began his Bollywood singing career at around the age of 22.
Rakesh Pandit's playback career began in the late 1980s. He made an early film appearance as a playback singer with “Milte Hain Dil Se Dil” from Mera Dil Tere Liye (1989), for which music director Babul Bose gave him an opportunity to sing.
Over the years, he became known for his ability to perform in a wide range of musical styles. His work includes film playback as well as ghazals, qawwalis, bhajans, Sufi music, folk and classical compositions.
His film credits include Maqbool (2004), Omkara (2006), Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006), Guzaarish (2010), Do Dooni Chaar (2010) and Yeh Faasley (2011).
In Maqbool, Rakesh Pandit performed “Jhin Min Jhini” with Ustad Sultan Khan, Sadhana Sargam and Anuradha Sriram, and also contributed to “Ru-Ba-Ru” with Daler Mehndi.
Rakesh Pandit continues to be associated with Indian music and remains recognized for his distinctive voice and versatility as a playback and live singer. Birth Date: 8 September 1967 Birth Place: Borivali, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Profession: Playback Singer, Musician Genres: Classical, Semi-Classical, Ghazal, Qawwali, Sufi, Folk, Bhajan, Playback Singing Years Active: 1989–Present Death Date: Not applicable — Rakesh Pandit is alive.