Shilpa Rao Biography: Age, Husband, Songs, National Award, Mumbai Concert Row & Latest News
Last updated: 3 November 2026
Shilpa Rao is an Indian playback singer known for her versatile, classically rooted voice in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu films. Born Apeksha Rao on 11 April 1984 in Jamshedpur, she debuted with “Tose Naina” (2007) and went on to sing hits such as “Khuda Jaane”, “Bulleya”, “Ghungroo”, “Besharam Rang”, “Kaavaalaa”, “Chaleya” and “Chuttamalle”. She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Chaleya” from Jawan, along with Filmfare awards for “Ghungroo” and “Besharam Rang”. In October 2026 she made headlines when her set at Mumbai’s Bollywood Music Project was cut short. This Shilpa Rao biography covers her age, family, husband, songs, awards, net worth and latest news.
Shilpa Rao Key Facts
- Born: 11 April 1984, Jamshedpur (now Jharkhand)
- Real name: Apeksha Rao
- Debut: “Tose Naina”, Anwar (2007)
- Biggest honour: National Film Award – Best Female Playback Singer, “Chaleya” (Jawan)
- Husband: Ritesh Krishnan, photographer (married 2021)
Shilpa Rao Latest News
- Performance cut short in Mumbai (24 October 2026): Shilpa’s set at the 10th anniversary edition of the Bollywood Music Project at Jio World Gardens, Mumbai, ended abruptly when her microphone and sound were switched off midway, after schedule delays at the festival. She wrote on Instagram that “a little piece of my heart broke” and thanked the crowd for continuing to call her name, promising to return to Mumbai.
- Reactions (25–29 October 2026): The organisers apologised, saying they hold her in the highest regard and regretted not being able to present her full performance. The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called her treatment “completely unacceptable” and offered legal support. Singer Kutle Khan, who performed on the other stage, denied any role and said he had followed the organisers’ instructions. Her husband, Ritesh Krishnan, publicly criticised the organisers. On 29 October Shilpa shared a video of the full performance with fans.
- Filmfare South win (February 2026): She won the Filmfare Award South for Best Female Playback Singer (Telugu) for “Chuttamalle” from Devara: Part 1, after winning the SIIMA award for the same song in 2025.
Shilpa Rao Age, Family and Wiki
| Bio | |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Apeksha Rao |
| Stage Name | Shilpa Rao |
| Profession | Playback singer |
| Date of Birth | 11 April 1984 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 42 years |
| Birthplace | Jamshedpur, Bihar (now Jharkhand), India |
| Native Place | Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (Telugu family) |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education and Training | |
| Schools | Little Flower School and Loyola School, Jamshedpur |
| College | St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai – postgraduate studies in applied statistics |
| Music Training | Her father, S. Venkat Rao; Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan |
| Career | |
| Years Active | 2007–present |
| Debut Song | “Tose Naina”, Anwar (2007) |
| Famous Songs | “Khuda Jaane”, “Bulleya”, “Ghungroo”, “Besharam Rang”, “Chaleya”, “Kaavaalaa”, “Chuttamalle” |
| Personal and Family | |
| Father | S. Venkat Rao(musician) |
| Mother | Rajanala Shyamala |
| Brother | Anurag Naidu |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Husband | Ritesh Krishnan (photographer), married 2021 |
Early Life, Family and Education
Shilpa Rao was born Apeksha Rao on 11 April 1984 in Jamshedpur, then in Bihar and now in Jharkhand, into a Telugu family from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh. She later changed her name to Shilpa because she felt the name had “to do with art”. Her father, S. Venkat Rao, who holds a degree in music, was her first teacher and taught her to understand the nuances of ragas.
She studied at Little Flower School and Loyola School in Jamshedpur. At 13 she met singer Hariharan, who encouraged her to train under the Hindustani classical maestro Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. She later moved to Mumbai, studied applied statistics at St. Xavier’s College, and spent about three years singing advertising jingles before getting her film break.
Shilpa Rao Career
Debut: Tose Naina and Khuda Jaane (2007–2008)
Composer Mithoon gave Shilpa her Bollywood debut with “Tose Naina” from Anwar (2007), which she has called her most special song. She followed it with “Woh Ajnabee” from The Train (2007). Her breakthrough was Vishal–Shekhar’s “Khuda Jaane” from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), which won her the Screen Award for Best Female Playback Singer and her first Filmfare nomination.
Paa, Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Lootera (2009–2013)
She sang “Mudi Mudi Ittefaq Se” for Ilaiyaraaja in Paa (2009), earning a second Filmfare nomination, and “Dhol Yaara Dhol” in Amit Trivedi’s Dev.D (2009). Her Tamil debut was “Oru Maalai Neram” in Naan Mahaan Alla (2010) for Yuvan Shankar Raja. She then worked with A. R. Rahman on “Ishq Shava” (Jab Tak Hai Jaan, 2012), and sang “Gustakh Dil” (English Vinglish, 2012), “Manmarziyaan” (Lootera, 2013) and “Malang” (Dhoom 3, 2013).
Bulleya, Coke Studio and Ghungroo (2014–2019)
Shilpa sang “Meherbaan” in Bang Bang! (2014) and, in 2016, became only the second singer from India to perform on Coke Studio Pakistan, singing “Paar Chanaa De”. The same year she sang “Bulleya” with Amit Mishra for Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. Her song “Ghungroo” from War (2019), picturised on Vaani Kapoor and Hrithik Roshan, won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
Besharam Rang, Chaleya, Kaavaalaa and a National Award (2023–2025)
2023 was the biggest year of Shilpa’s career. She sang “Besharam Rang” from Pathaan, picturised on Deepika Padukone, which won her a second Filmfare award, the Mirchi Music Award for Song of the Year and a Zee Cine Award. She sang the Tamil hit “Kaavaalaa” from Rajinikanth’s Jailer and “Chaleya” from Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, featuring Nayanthara. “Chaleya” won her the IIFA award and, in 2025, the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. In 2024 she sang the Telugu hit “Chuttamalle” from Devara: Part 1, which won SIIMA and Filmfare South awards.
Shilpa Rao Songs List
| Year | Song | Film / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | “Tose Naina” | Anwar – debut (Mithoon) |
| 2007 | “Woh Ajnabee” | The Train (Mithoon) |
| 2008 | “Khuda Jaane” | Bachna Ae Haseeno (Vishal–Shekhar) |
| 2009 | “Mudi Mudi Ittefaq Se” | Paa (Ilaiyaraaja) |
| 2010 | “Oru Maalai Neram” | Naan Mahaan Alla – Tamil debut |
| 2012 | “Ishq Shava” | Jab Tak Hai Jaan (A. R. Rahman) |
| 2013 | “Manmarziyaan” | Lootera (Amit Trivedi) |
| 2013 | “Malang” | Dhoom 3 (Pritam) |
| 2014 | “Meherbaan” | Bang Bang! (Vishal–Shekhar) |
| 2016 | “Paar Chanaa De” | Coke Studio Pakistan season 9 |
| 2016 | “Bulleya” | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
| 2019 | “Ghungroo” | War – Filmfare award |
| 2023 | “Besharam Rang” | Pathaan – Filmfare award |
| 2023 | “Kaavaalaa” | Jailer (Tamil) |
| 2023 | “Chaleya” | Jawan – National Film Award |
| 2024 | “Chuttamalle” | Devara: Part 1 (Telugu) – SIIMA and Filmfare South awards |
Shilpa Rao Awards
- National Film Award – Best Female Playback Singer, “Chaleya” (Jawan), 2025
- Filmfare Awards – Best Female Playback Singer for “Ghungroo” (2020) and “Besharam Rang” (2024); nominations for “Khuda Jaane”, “Mudi Mudi”, “Tere Hawaale” and “Chaleya”
- Filmfare Awards South – Best Female Playback Singer (Telugu), “Chuttamalle” (2026)
- SIIMA – Best Female Playback Singer (Telugu), “Chuttamalle” (2025)
- IIFA – Best Female Playback Singer, “Chaleya” (2024)
- Screen Award – “Khuda Jaane” (2009)
- Mirchi Music Awards – Female Vocalist and Song of the Year, “Besharam Rang” (2024)
Shilpa Rao Husband and Personal Life
Shilpa Rao married photographer Ritesh Krishnan in 2021 in a registered wedding at her home, keeping the ceremony small. She largely keeps her personal life private, though Ritesh spoke up publicly in her support after the Mumbai concert incident in October 2026.
Shilpa Rao Net Worth
Shilpa Rao has not disclosed her net worth, and there is no official figure. She earns from film songs, independent music, live concerts and royalties. Estimates published online vary widely, so treat any figure with caution.
Why Shilpa Rao Stands Out
Few playback singers have moved as easily between moods and languages: a classical alaap in “Tose Naina”, Sufi longing in “Bulleya”, the dance-floor energy of “Besharam Rang” and “Kaavaalaa”, and the romance of “Chaleya”. Like Malayalam singer Rimi Tomy, she built her career on classical training before becoming a household voice.
Lesser-Known Facts About Shilpa Rao
- Her birth name is Apeksha Rao.
- She studied statistics and sang ad jingles before her film debut.
- Hariharan advised her to train with Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan when she was 13.
- She was the second singer from India to appear on Coke Studio Pakistan.
- She sang three huge hits in 2023 – in Hindi and Tamil – for Shah Rukh Khan’s and Rajinikanth’s films.
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FAQs About Shilpa Rao
How old is Shilpa Rao?
Shilpa Rao was born on 11 April 1984, so she is 42 years old in 2026.
What is Shilpa Rao’s real name?
Her birth name is Apeksha Rao. She later changed it to Shilpa.
Who is Shilpa Rao’s husband?
Shilpa Rao is married to photographer Ritesh Krishnan. They married in 2021.
Who sang Besharam Rang?
“Besharam Rang” from Pathaan (2023) was sung by Shilpa Rao, and it won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
Which song won Shilpa Rao the National Award?
She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for “Chaleya” from Jawan.
What happened at Shilpa Rao’s Mumbai concert?
On 24 October 2026 her set at the Bollywood Music Project in Mumbai was cut short when her microphone was switched off after schedule delays. The organisers later apologised.
Where is Shilpa Rao from?
She was born and raised in Jamshedpur, and her family is from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh.
Did Shilpa Rao sing Kaavaalaa?
Yes. She sang the Tamil hit “Kaavaalaa” from Rajinikanth’s Jailer (2023).
About This Biography
Written by: MyStarsBio Editorial Team. This profile was checked against the sources listed below and is updated when Shilpa Rao has new songs or major news. Private family details are not published.