Monali Thakur is a renowned Indian playback singer and actress, best known for her soulful voice and versatility in Bollywood born on November 3, 1985, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. She hails from a Bengali family and has spent most of her life in her hometown, Kolkata.
Monali balances her successful music career with a passion for acting and adventure, all while keeping her personal life with her husband Maik Richter [1] relatively private. She’s an inspiring talent with global recognition!
Her journey into the entertainment industry, especially as a playback singer, has made her a well-known name in India’s music scene.
Wiki
| Full Name | Monali Thakur |
|---|---|
| Profession | Singer, Actress |
| Famous As | Playback Singer |
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1985 |
| Age | 39 Years Old |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Hometown | Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Country | India |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Hobbies | Travelling and Partying |
| Food Habits | Traveling and Partying |
| Educational Qualification | B. A. in English Honours |
| School Name | The Future Foundation School (TFFS), Kolkata |
| College/University | St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata |
| Debut | “Khwab Dekhe” (Sexy Lady) and “Zara Zara Touch Me” from the movie “Race” (2008) |
Early Life
Born and raised in a musical family in Kolkata, she started learning classical music as a kid, which laid the foundation for her future. Her big break came in 2005 when she participated in Indian Idol Season 2. Even though she didn’t win, she caught the industry’s eye, and soon after, she found her way into Bollywood as a playback singer.
Career
She gained fame as a playback singer, a person who sings songs that are later lip-synced by actors in movies. Some of her most popular songs include “Khwab Dekhe” (Sexy Lady) and “Zara Zara Touch Me“ from the Bollywood movie Race (2008), which marked her debut in the industry. Recently, Monali’s acoustic version of the song “Haan Ke Haan”[2] from the movie Maharaj gained significant popularity, making it into the Top 10 on Spotify charts and trending on Instagram reels.
Controversies
Monali Thakur has faced a few public controversies, and one of the most recent incidents happened during her Bhopal concert [3]. While performing live, an audience member made a vulgar comment about her body. Monali, without hesitation, stopped the show and confronted the individual, calling out the disrespectful behavior on stage.
She made it clear that such harassment shouldn’t be tolerated. The individual claimed the comment was misunderstood, but Monali’s bold stance received a lot of support from her fans and the media.
This controversy highlighted her courage in speaking out against public harassment, setting an example for others in similar situations.
Family
Monali Thakur’s father, Shakti Thakur, was a well-known Bengali singer and actor who significantly influenced her musical journey. Her mother, Mehuli Thakur, also played a key role in supporting her throughout her life and career.
Unfortunately, Monali’s mother passed away [4] in May 2024 after battling health issues, marking a painful chapter in Monali’s life, especially after losing her father in 2020. Coming from such a deeply musical family shaped Monali’s passion for music, helping her become the renowned playback singer she is today.
| Father Name | Shakti Thakur |
|---|---|
| Mother Name | Mehuli Thakur |
Physical Appearance
Monali Thakur is about 5 feet 1 inch tall, which is around 155 cm. She has a slim and fit build, weighing approximately 68 kg (or 149 lbs). She has brown eyes and brown hair, giving her a warm and charming appearance. Monali often carries herself with confidence and elegance, whether she’s performing on stage or appearing at public events.
| Height (Approx.) | in centimeters – 155 cm in meters – 1.55 m in feet inches – 5’ 1” |
|---|---|
| Weight (Approx.) | in kilograms – 68 kg in pounds – 149 lbs |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Brown |
Relationship Status
Monali Thakur is married to Maik Richter, a restaurateur from Switzerland. They have been married since 2017, although Monali kept it a secret for three years. As of now, details about their children are not publicly known.
Monali revealed her marriage in 2020, surprising many of her friends and fans because of how successfully she had kept it under wraps. She explained that she wanted to avoid unnecessary public attention.
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Maik Richter |
| Children | Not Known |
Net Worth & Salary
Monali Thakur has built quite an impressive career in both singing and acting, which has helped her accumulate a net worth of around $3 million (approximately INR 22.09 crore). Her success in Bollywood and the music industry continues to be her main source of income.
In addition to her wealth, Monali is also a fan of luxury cars and owns a Cadillac CTS Waka, which is worth around $41,690 (roughly INR 30.70 lakhs). Despite her financial success, Monali remains grounded, focusing on her passion for music and acting.
| Net Worth (Approx.) | $3 million (Rs 22.09 crore, approx.) |
|---|---|
| Car & Bike Collection | Cadillac CTS Waka of $41,690 (Rs 30.70 Lacs) |
| Income Source | Singing, Acting |
Social Media Handles
| @monalithakur03 | |
| @realmonalithakur | |
| @monalithakur03 | |
| YouTube | @monalithakur8623 |
Monali Thakur Songs Lyrics
- Haan Ke Haan
- Raat Baaki
- Mummy Kassam
- Shy Mora Saiyaan
- Aaina
- Jhilmil Piya
- Dil Ka Fitoor
- Badri Ki Dulhania (Title)
- Pani Pani Re
- Ho Jaa Awara
- Zilla Hilela
- A Whole New World
- O Re Naseeba (Title)
- Monobina
- Fu Bai Fu
- Tere Jaisa Tu Hai
- Tamanna (Title)
- Chal
- Yeh Awaz Hai
- Khol De Baahein
- Googly Woogly Wooksh
- Naamkarann (Title)
- Chappan Taal
- Chappan Taal
- Dhanak (Title)
Awards
Monali Thakur has earned some major awards throughout her career, with one of the highlights being her National Award [5] for the song “Moh Moh Ke Dhaage” from Dum Laga Ke Haisha. This award holds a special place in her heart, and she’s expressed how winning it felt surreal yet rewarding. The recognition not only made her proud but also touched her family deeply. It’s a huge honor for her, especially since such prestigious awards are rare in her field.
FAQs
Is Monali Thakur related to Rabindranath Tagore?
Monali Thakur, a talented singer, has performed Tagore’s songs, but she isn’t related to him.
Is Monali Thakur Bengali or not?
Yes, Monali Thakur is a Bengali. She was born into a musical Bengali family in Kolkata.
How many songs are sung by Monali Thakur?
Monali Thakur has an impressive music portfolio with 71 Hindi songs, 26 non-film songs, and 50 non-Hindi film songs, totaling 147 songs in her career.