Pawan Singh

Pawan Singh (born 5 January 1986) is an Indian politician, playback singer, and actor, primarily associated with the Bhojpuri film industry. He is known by the nickname 'Power Star'.

Pawan Singh was born in Arrah, Bihar, India, in 1986.^[1] He attended primary school in Kolkata before returning to Arrah, where he completed his intermediate education at H.N.K. High School. He graduated from Maharaja College, Arrah.^[1]

Singh's first album was Odhaniya Wali, released in 2000. He made his acting debut in the 2006 film Rangli Chunariya Tohre Naam. In 2008, Singh released the album Lollipop Lageli, which included the song "Lollipop Lagelu".^[2] That same year, he released another album, Don't Touch My Body, featuring the song "Saniya Mirza Cut Nathuniya".^[3]

In 2020, he made his Bollywood debut with the song "Kamariya Hila Rahi Hai" featuring American dancer and actress Lauren Gottlieb.^[4] His second Bollywood single was "Babuni Tere Rang Me", a Holi song featuring Tridha Choudhury, followed by "Current" featuring Payal Dev.^[5] In 2021, he recorded a Chhath song with Sonu Nigam and released Bhojpuri cover versions of popular Bollywood songs like "Lut Gaye (Bhojpuri)", originally sung by Jubin Nautiyal, and "Barish Ban Jana". He later released a remake of the Hindi song "Tumsa Koi Pyara" from the film Khuddar (1994) in Bhojpuri.^[6] His next Bhojpuri single, "Zindagi", was a collaboration with Haryanvi singer Renuka Panwar.^[7]

He lent his voice as a singer in several Hindi films, such as the tracks "Aayi Nai" from Stree 2, and the track "Chumma" from Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video.^[8] Singh was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for his rendition of "Aayi Nai"^[9] and won the TOIFA 2025 Song of the Year award. He received the Best Male Singer Award at the International Bhojpuri Film Awards, in 2016.^[10]

Pawan Singh entered politics ahead of the 2024 Indian general election, where he was chosen as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency in West Bengal. Within days of the announcement, he withdrew his candidacy, citing personal reasons.^[11]

In May 2024, he was subsequently expelled from the BJP after announcing his candidacy as an independent candidate for the Karakat Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, opposing the party's official nominee, Upendra Kushwaha. The BJP cited his actions as failing to comply with party discipline.^[12]

His campaign in Karakat included public rallies with musical performances. His candidacy received mixed responses. Supporters described him as representing the youth and the Bhojpuri-speaking population, while critics expressed concerns about his lack of political experience and the potential for vote splitting. He did not win the election, but commentators noted that the campaign raised his political profile in Bihar.^[13][14]

On 1 October 2025, Singh rejoined the BJP in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP president J. P. Nadda, BJP Bihar in-charge Vinod Tawde and Upendra Kushwaha.^[15]

Pawan Singh married Neelam Singh in 2014; she committed suicide in March 2015.^[16]

In 2019, actress Akshara Singh filed a first information report (FIR) against Pawan Singh. According to the complaint, she alleged threats and inappropriate social media posts following their separation.^[17]

In March 2018, he married Jyoti Singh, a resident of Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. In October 2021, Jyoti filed for divorce, alleging domestic abuse and marital disputes. She also claimed that he forced her to undergo abortions after their marriage. The divorce case included disputes over alimony and property settlement, with reports suggesting Jyoti demanded financial compensation and a residence, while Pawan offered a smaller settlement.^[18][19][20]

In September 2025, Singh faced legal issues in Varanasi after a complaint was filed alleging that he had cheated a hotelier out of ₹15.7 million in connection with investments in the 2018 Bhojpuri film, Boss. The court directed the police to register a case under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code.^[21]

On Pawan Singh's 40th birthday, a controversial video surfaced allegedly showing the Bhojpuri star appearing to be intoxicated and making controversial remarks. The video, which quickly went viral, sparked widespread criticism and drew attention from his fans and critics alike. Despite the backlash, he has yet to publicly comment on the incident.^[22]

In Bhojpuri cinema, Singh has appeared in films such as Pratigya (2008), Bajrang, Satya (2017), Crack Fighter (2019), Raja (2019), Sher Singh (2019), Maa Tujhe Salaam (2018), Jai Hind, Maine Unko Sajan Chun Liya, Tabadala, Dhadkan, Powerstar, Mera Bharat Mahaan (2022), Pawan Raja, Sarkar Raj, and Har Har Gange (2023).^[23]