Shilpa Rao Biography: Husband, Songs, Age, Height, Children, Net Worth, Family

Apeksha Rao, professionally known as Shilpa Rao, is a celebrated Indian playback singer and musician known for her soulful vocal texture, versatility, and mastery across contemporary pop, semi-classical, and indie genres.

Bursting into prominence in the late 2000s, she gained widespread renown with hit songs such as “Javeda Zindagi,” “Khuda Jaane,” “Bulleya,” “Ghungroo,” “Besharam Rang,” and “Chaleya.”

Over a prolific multi-decade career, she has garnered numerous accolades—including Filmfare Awards and a National Film Award—establishing her as one of modern Indian cinema’s premier and most distinctive female vocalists.

Shilpa Rao
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Apeksha Rao
Stage Name:	Shilpa Rao
Born:	April 11, 1984 (age 42 years old)
Place of Birth:	Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India
Nationality:	Indian
Height:	1.65m
Parents:	S. V. Rao, R. Shyamala
Siblings:	Anurag Rao
Spouse:	Ritesh Krishnan (m. 2021)
Relationship:	Married
Occupation:	Playback Singer, Musician
Net Worth:	$4 million

Early Life and Education

Shilpa Rao was born on April 11, 1984, in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India, raised by her father S. V. Rao—a music degree holder who tutored her early vocal raga training—and her mother R. Shyamala, alongside her younger brother Anurag Rao.

She completed her primary and secondary schooling at Loyola School in Jamshedpur before moving to Mumbai, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in statistics from St. Xavier’s College and later a master’s degree in statistics from the University of Mumbai while pursuing professional music opportunities.

Descending ethnically from a Telugu background originating in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, she was raised embracing traditional Hindu cultural customs and spiritual practices.

Career

Shilpa Rao began her musical trajectory during her college years in Mumbai, working as a jingle singer for television commercials before composer Mithoon offered her a breakout debut track, “Javeda Zindagi,” from the 2007 film Anwar.

She achieved widespread commercial acclaim shortly after with “Woh Ajnabee” from The Train and the chart-topping duet “Khuda Jaane” from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), earning her first Filmfare Award nomination and establishing her as a major playback talent in Hindi cinema.

Elevating her career profile further, Shilpa Rao delivered memorable hit renditions including “Iktara” from Wake Up Sid, “Mudhi Mudhi Ittefaq Se” from Paa, “Ishq Shava” from Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and “Malang” from Dhoom 3.

Beyond mainstream Bollywood, she made history as the first Indian singer to perform on Coke Studio Pakistan, collaborated with international artists like Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale, and performed at the Glastonbury Festival.

In recent years, she has continued her chart dominance with blockbuster tracks such as “Ghungroo” (War), “Besharam Rang” (Pathaan), and “Chaleya” (Jawan), cementing her status as a global V-pop/Bollywood icon.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @shilparao
• Facebook Handle: Shilpa Rao
• Twitter Handle: @shilparao11

Personal Life

Shilpa Rao, born April 11, 1984, and currently 42 years old, has been married to photographer and show director Ritesh Krishnan since January 2021.

The couple, who were longtime best friends before dating, tied the knot in an intimate register-office ceremony in Mumbai.

Residing in Mumbai, Maharashtra, she spends her personal time off-stage practising vocal exercises, reading contemporary literature, and actively supporting music education charities across India.

Discography

• 2007: “Javeda Zindagi” (Anwar)
• 2008: “Khuda Jaane” (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
• 2009: “Iktara” (Wake Up Sid)
• 2012: “Ishq Shava” (Jab Tak Hai Jaan)
• 2013: “Malang” (Dhoom 3)
• 2016: “Bulleya” (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil)
• 2019: “Ghungroo” (War)

Net Worth

Shilpa Rao commands an estimated net worth of approximately $4 million, built across her extensive career in the Indian music industry.

The primary foundation of her income stems from playback singing fees, streaming music royalties, and major brand campaign endorsements.

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