A shining star of Punjabi playback, Akhil Pasreja is a singer-songwriter who specialises in a blend of pop, hip-hop and bhangra. • Born into an Arora family in Jalandhar in October 1990, Akhil was musically minded from a young age, leading to him enrolling at Apeejay College of Fine Arts in his hometown. • His career began in earnest in 2014 with the singles “Muradaan” and “Supne”, a pair of emotive, lovelorn pop songs that made his name as a balladeer. • The release of “Khaab” in 2016 elevated him to the status of one of Punjabi pop’s biggest names. • Akhil’s first forays into movies came in Punjabi productions, contributing the heartfelt “Saari Saari Raat” to the Vaapsi soundtrack in 2016. Later he collaborated with Jonita Gandhi on the duet “Takdi Ravan” for the 2017 film Jindua and he sings the self-penned title song for 2019’s Ishqaa. • In 2017, the Brit Asia TV Music Awards named Akhil as Best Breakthrough Act. • He made his Bollywood debut in 2019 by reworking “Khaab” as “Duniyaa” for Laxman Utekar’s 2019 romantic comedy Luka Chuppi, this time recording it in Hindi.