Ankit Tiwari

Here is a detailed, SEO-optimized article about Ankit Tiwari — his life, career, style, memorable quotes, and lessons one can draw.

Dive into the life and career of Ankit Tiwari (born March 6, 1986), Indian playback singer, composer and music director. Explore his journey from Kanpur to Bollywood, his signature songs like Sunn Raha Hai and Galliyan, his artistry, controversies, and lessons from his musical path.

Introduction

Ankit Tiwari (born March 6, 1986) is an Indian playback singer, music composer, and music director known for his soulful voice and romantic ballads in Bollywood.

He rose to prominence with the blockbuster song “Sunn Raha Hai” from Aashiqui 2, and later gained further acclaim with “Galliyan” from Ek Villain.

His journey—starting from a musical family in Kanpur, training in classical and western styles, coming to Mumbai, facing controversies, and rebuilding his career—reflects both the challenges and rewards of being a creative in modern Bollywood.

Early Life and Family

Ankit Tiwari was born on March 6, 1986, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

He comes from a musical family: his parents run a music troupe called “Raju Suman & Party”, performing devotional music and at religious events. His mother is also a devotional singer.

Early on, he trained in classical music under Vinod Kumar Dwivedi, and also learned piano, Dhrupad, and western vocals.

He also won several local musical competitions in his youth, which reinforced his inclination toward a musical path.

His schooling was at Jugal Devi Saraswati Vidya Mandir, Kanpur.

Until around 2007, he worked in a more local context (including as production head at a radio station in Gwalior) before relocating to Mumbai in December 2007 to pursue opportunities in Bollywood.

Career and Achievements

Early Start: Jingles, Background Scores & Breakthroughs

Soon after moving to Mumbai, Ankit got chances to work on jingles and compose background music for television programs via connections (notably via Pradeep Sarkar) though some early film projects got shelved.

He got his first film composing opportunity with Do Dooni Chaar (2010).

His debut as a singer in Bollywood was with the song “Saheb Bada Hathila” for Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster (2011).

Big Hits & Recognition

In 2013, he composed and sang “Sunn Raha Hai” (for Aashiqui 2). This song became a major hit, with both male and female versions garnering acclaim and chart success.

Critically, Sunn Raha Hai solidified his reputation as a singer who could evoke emotion and depth.

In 2014, he delivered another blockbuster with “Galliyan” (from Ek Villain), which he both composed and sang. The song became one of the season’s most popular romantic tracks.

“Galliyan” has since had a later rendition in Ek Villain Returns called Galliyan Returns (2022), again with his involvement.

He earned several nominations and awards for these hits — for example, he won Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Galliyan.

Over the years, he continued composing and singing in films like Issaq, Kaanchi, Roy, Alone, The Xpose, among others.

Artistic Style & Signature

• Romantic & Emotional Ballads
  Much of Ankit Tiwari’s identity in Bollywood is tied to romantic songs full of longing, heartbreak, or emotional nuance. His voice has a plaintive, expressive quality that suits such material.

• Genre-blending & Experimentation
  Though he is often given romantic numbers, he has expressed interest in exploring diverse genres beyond just “romantic.”

• Melodic Craft & Composition
  In songs like Galliyan, he juxtaposes melodic softness with rock or heavier elements and then returns to a more soothing tone. The transitions in arrangement are often praised.

• Dual Role: Singer + Composer
  Many of his notable hits he both composed and sang, giving him more control over the musical expression.

Controversies & Challenges

In 2014, Ankit Tiwari was arrested, accused of rape by a former girlfriend.

However, in April 2017, both he and his brother were acquitted by the Mumbai Sessions Court due to lack of evidence and the complainant not supporting prosecution.

He has later mentioned that the controversy impacted his career — some lost opportunities, hesitation among collaborators, etc.

Personal Life

Ankit married Pallavi Shukla in 2018 (in an arranged manner, through his grandmother’s role).

The couple has a daughter, born on 28 December 2018.

In 2022, he participated (with his wife) in the Indian TV reality show Smart Jodi.

Personality & Talents

From his public interviews, songs, and career trajectory, we can discern certain qualities and artistic strengths:

• Emotional Sensitivity — His vocal performances often emphasize subtle emotion and vulnerability.

• Ambition with Humility — He moved from regional/troupe background to Mumbai, starting modestly with jingles and background scores.

• Resilience — He navigated major controversies and criticism, born from both public scrutiny and industry challenges.

• Melodic Intuition — His ability to craft hooking melodies (especially in the romantic genre) is a hallmark.

• Versatility within Limits — Though romantic ballads are his forte, he aspires to diversify musical styles.

Famous Quotes of Ankit Tiwari

Here are some known statements and lines attributed to him that reflect his mindset and approach:

“I’m a composer, music director, singer and performer. So it is a Bollywood rule that people don’t know who has sung a song and whether your voice will be chosen.” “There are many songs … but there’s one song from the movie ‘Mr. X’ called ‘Tu Jo Hain,’ and it’s special. People usually ask me what my biggest achievement is so I tell them that it is hidden in this song.” “It is my brother’s belief in me that got me this far. Ankur has always been my biggest source of strength.”

These quotes show how he sees the challenges of music industry recognition, his emotional attachments to specific works, and the role of family support in his journey.

Lessons from Ankit Tiwari’s Journey

1. Believe in Craft Over Fame
   Much of Tiwari’s early years were spent on background work, jingles, and competitions—building skills before expecting stardom.

2. Dual Roles Can Strengthen Artistry
   Being both composer and singer allows more coherence and authentic expression, as seen in his signature songs.

3. Embrace Vulnerability in Art
   His strength comes through emotionally honest performances rather than over-polishing.

4. Resilience Through Crisis
   Facing public controversy and rebuilding demand persistence, patience, and reputation management.

5. Stay Open to Musical Growth
   Though romantic songs dominate his portfolio, expressing willingness to experiment keeps artistic life fresh.

6. Support Systems Matter
   Tiwari often credits his brother and family for encouragement—creative careers often depend on personal support networks.

Conclusion

Ankit Tiwari’s path is emblematic of many modern Indian music makers: rooted in tradition, pushing into Bollywood, grappling with visibility, controversy, identity, and reinvention. His talent for melody, emotional sensibility, and composition-singing duality have earned him a place in contemporary Hindi film music.

If you’d like, I can put together a timeline of all his major songs and albums, or a larger collection of his quotes and interviews. Would you like me to do that?