Anuv Jain Builds Indie Pop Career Outside Bollywood, Closes European Leg of First World Tour

Anuv Jain, an Indian singer-songwriter, has carved out a niche in the acoustic indie pop scene without the support of Bollywood, which has long overshadowed the Indian music landscape with its resources. Hailing from Ludhiana in Punjab, Jain began his musical journey as a teenager, primarily singing in Hindi and delving into themes of love, longing, and heartbreak. His music has garnered hundreds of millions of views on YouTube, alongside 3.9 million followers on Instagram and over 20 million monthly listeners on Spotify. In a recent interview with BBC Newsbeat before his sold-out concert at London's Roundhouse, part of his inaugural world tour, Jain emphasized his dedication to crafting songs that resonate with him and his family. He describes independent artists like himself as existing in an "alternate space," releasing their music independently while hoping for success. His tracks "Jo Tum Mere Ho" and "Afsos," featuring AP Dhillon, have both reached the top of the Asian Music Charts. Jain has been selective in his releases, typically putting out one song a year until recently, and he hinted at new music coming soon, potentially more than one release this year. His work, including "Arz Kiya Hai," has gone viral on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Jain is also open to collaborations with prominent artists, such as Zayn Malik from One Direction, as long as his narrative remains intact.