Biography
Payal Dev’s journey began in a small town — Ramgarh — where music was more than just a pastime; it was a way of life. Her mother, Anita Banerjee, recognized Payal’s innate musical talent early on, teaching her basics and encouraging her to pursue music seriously. Despite modest family surroundings — her father, Sameer Kumar Banerjee, worked in coal mines — Payal nurtured big dreams.
In her late teens, Payal moved to Mumbai to chase her Bollywood dreams — a move marked by struggle, uncertainty, and sheer determination. After working on numerous jingles, ads, and short films, she finally got her first major break. While the initial phase was tough, her persistence paid off. With time, she transformed from a hopeful newcomer to a respected name in the music industry.
Her breakthrough came when she lent her voice to songs in the film Bajirao Mastani (2015) — that moment marked the turning point in her career. From there, her journey saw a steady climb, with each milestone cementing her reputation as a singer with range and a composer with vision.
Career Highlights
- Early Career & Bollywood Debut: Payal Dev made her Bollywood singing debut with the film Grand Masti (2013), contributing to the soundtrack. Over the next few years, she contributed to films like Satya 2 and several others, slowly building her presence.
- Breakthrough with Bajirao Mastani: Her major breakthrough came with songs like “Ab Tohe Jane Na Doongi” and “Albela Sajan Ayo Re” in Bajirao Mastani — these songs brought her mass recognition and established her soulful, versatile voice in Bollywood.
- Evolution into Composer: Not just content with singing, Payal ventured into music composition. Her debut as composer came with the song Dil Jaaniye for the film Khandaani Shafakhana (2019). But the real turning point as composer was Tum Hi Aana from Marjaavaan (2019), which turned into a massive hit and confirmed her as a talented composer too.
- Chartbusters & Hits: Over the years, Payal has delivered many hit songs. Among her most popular — the collaboration Genda Phool with Badshah gained enormous popularity, earning hundreds of millions (later crossing a billion) views on YouTube. In 2021, “Baarish Ban Jaana” also became a hit, further enhancing her reputation as a versatile singer.
- Independent Music & Label: In 2020, she — along with her husband Aditya Dev — co-founded an independent music label/platform called Apni Dhun, branching out beyond Bollywood to create original and fusion music.
Through these phases, Payal Dev shifted from being “just another playback singer” to a multi-talented artist — singer, composer, creator — with a wide and growing legacy.
Relationships & Personal Life
Payal Dev is married to Aditya Dev, whom she met during her early days and shares a mutual passion for music.Their bond reflects a shared creative journey: together they launched the music venture Apni Dhun, blending talents and dreams.
While Payal has maintained a relatively private personal life, what stands out is the strong support system she got from her family — especially her mother, who introduced her to music. There aren’t many recorded controversies or scandals associated with her, which perhaps speaks to her focus on music and professionalism.
Other Interesting Facts
- Payal completed her graduation in Music from Ranchi Women’s College, Jharkhand.
- As a child, she began singing quite early — under her mother’s guidance — and gave her first stage performance while still in school.
- Her musical versatility spans multiple genres: from pop and hip-hop to western and ghazal influences.
- Despite the competitive atmosphere of Bollywood, she transitioned successfully to composition — a relatively rare accomplishment for female artists in that sphere.
Conclusion: The Legacy of Payal Dev
Payal Dev’s journey — from the coal-town roots of Ramgarh to the glittering studios of Bollywood — is a story of talent, grit, and unwavering passion. As a playback singer, composer and now independent music creator, she has redefined what it means to be a modern woman in Indian music. Her songs have touched millions; her compositions have carved spaces for powerful female voices in a male-dominated industry.
Her legacy isn’t just in chart-topping hits — but in inspiring aspiring artists, especially from small towns, to dream big and chase their passions relentlessly 🎶
