Kanika Kapoor

Kanika Kapoor was born on August 21, 1978, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, into a Khatri family. Her early life was marked by extensive musical training, beginning classical music studies at the age of 12 under Pandit Ganesh Prasad Mishra. She participated in school music competitions and had a brief association with All India Radio, also accompanying bhajan singer Anup Jalota. Kapoor pursued higher education in music, completing her B.A. and Masters from Bhatkhande Music Institute in Lucknow. In 1999, she married Raj Chandok and moved to London, subsequently having three children. Following her divorce in 2012, she relocated to Mumbai to focus on her music career.

Kapoor’s professional music career commenced in 2012 with the release of the music video “Jugni Ji.” This track, a remix of the Pakistani Sufi song “Alif Allah,” became a commercial success, leading to her winning the Brit Asia TV Music Award for Best Single. Her breakthrough in Bollywood playback singing occurred in 2014 when Meet Bros Anjjan approached her to sing “Baby Doll” for the film “Ragini MMS 2.” The song achieved significant popularity, topping music charts and earning Kapoor critical acclaim, alongside a Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer. The same year, she contributed to “Happy New Year” with the songs “Lovely” and “Kamlee” and performed in the “SLAM! The Tour” concert across North America. She also launched her fashion brand, “Kanika Kapoor: House of Chikankari,” to support female artisans in Lucknow.

Her career continued with numerous successful Bollywood songs, including “Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan” for “Roy” (2015), “Desi Look” for “Ek Paheli Leela” (2015), and “Nachan Farrate” for “All Is Well” (2015). She also sang “Neendein Khul Jaati Hain” for “Hate Story 3” (2015) and “Premika” for “Dilwale” (2015). Her song “Da Da Dasse” from “Udta Punjab” (2016) garnered additional Best Playback Singer awards. Further hits include “Hug Me” from “Beiimaan Love” (2016), “Luv Letter” from “The Legend of Michael Mishra” (2016), “Beat Pe Booty” from “A Flying Jatt” (2016), and “Shake Karaan” from “Munna Michael” (2017). In 2016, she became a brand ambassador for the Swiss watch manufacturer 88 Rue du Rhone. In 2019, Kapoor appeared as a judge on the singing reality show “The Voice” (season 3). She married Gautam Hathiramani in May 2022.