Discover the life and career of the renowned Indian playback singer, Monali Thakur. From her early beginnings to her numerous awards, this comprehensive biography covers it all.

Wiki/Biography

Monali Thakur was born on Sunday, 3 November 1985 (age 38 years; as of 2023), in Kolkata, India. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. She completed her schooling at The Future Foundation School (TFFS), Kolkata, and later earned a B.A. in English Honours from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. Her educational background reflects her multifaceted personality and dedication to learning.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5’1″
• Eye Colour: Brown
• Hair Colour: Brown

Family & Caste

Monali hails from a Hindu Bengali family. Her father, Shakti Thakur, is a well-known Bengali singer, significantly influencing her musical journey. Sadly, her mother, Mehuli Thakur, passed away on May 17, 2024. She also has an elder sister, Mehuli Thakur, who is also a playback singer, showcasing a strong family tradition in music.

Relationships, Husband & Children

Monali secretly married her Swiss boyfriend, Maik Richter, in 2017 after a year of dating. Their romance began unexpectedly during a backpacking trip. She’s shared humorous anecdotes about Maik’s visa mishap during their marriage registration in India.

Career

As a Singer

Monali’s musical journey began early, marked by participation in school and college functions. In 2005, she participated in “Indian Idol 2,” achieving ninth place. Her Bollywood debut arrived in 2006 with “Kubool Kar Le” from “Jaan-E-Mann.” She gained widespread recognition through songs like “Khwab Dekhe” and “Zara Zara Touch Me” from “Race” (2008).

Her versatility is evident in her diverse repertoire. She’s sung popular Bollywood numbers including “Tu Mohabbat Hai,” “Moh Moh ke Dhaage,” and “Ho Jaa Awara.” Her musical range extends to regional cinema, with Tamil songs like “Yaro Yaro” and “Naalum Naalum,” and a Kannada song, “Soojiga Nanava.”

Beyond film, Monali has contributed to various non-filmy projects: “Woh Pehli Bar,” “Ye Mera India Anthem,” “Googly Woogly Wooksh,” “Naamkarann Title Track,” “Shy Mora Saiyaan,” “Kare Naina,” “Pani Pani Re,” and the “Swachh Bharat Anthem.”

She’s also a respected judge in many singing reality shows, including “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Bangla,” “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs,” “Rising Star India 2,” and “MTV Youth.”

As an Actor

Monali’s acting career started early with a lead role in the Bengali TV serial “Aalokito Ek Indu.” She also appeared in the telefilm “Phagune Agun,” and made her Bengali film debut in “Krishnakanter Will” in 2007. She’s notably appeared in the Bollywood film “PK” and the lead role in “Lakshmi” (2014).

Awards & Honours

Monali’s talent has been widely recognized through prestigious awards:

Facts/Trivia

• Trained in Hindustani classical music under Pandit Jagdish Prasad and Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty.
• A trained dancer in various styles including Hip-Hop, Bharatanatyam, and Salsa.
• Received the Best Playback Singer award at the Anandalok Awards at age 14.
• A dog lover.
• Enjoys traveling and partying.