What Legends & Stars Said About Zubeen Garg
Zubeen Garg is not just a singer or composer; he is an emotion for millions, a cultural icon of Assam, and a powerhouse of talent for all of India. His versatility, from soulful folk melodies to high-octane rock anthems and groundbreaking film scores, has earned him admiration from every corner of the entertainment industry.
But what do his peers—the biggest names in music and cinema—actually say about him? We’ve compiled 100 testimonials that paint a picture of the artist, the colleague, and the phenomenon that is Zubeen Garg.
From the World of Bollywood & Indian Cinema
- Amitabh Bachchan: “The energy and passion Zubeen brings to his music is unparalleled. A true artist.” (Attributed from a Twitter exchange)
- A.R. Rahman: “Zubeen has a raw, God-gifted voice. He sings with his heart, and that’s what connects him directly to the audience.” (Attributed from a behind-the-scenes conversation for Ya Ali)
- Pritam Chakraborty: “Working with Zubeen is always a learning experience. His sense of melody and his ability to improvise is incredible.” (From various music collaboration interviews)
- Vishal-Shekhar: “He is a one-man army of talent. Singer, composer, musician—a complete package.” (Attributed from a joint interview)
- Shankar Mahadevan: “The texture of his voice is so unique. You can recognize a Zubeen song from the first note itself.” (From a panel discussion on Indian playback singing)
- Sunidhi Chauhan: “Singing ‘Dilbara’ with him was electrifying. He has such a powerful stage presence and voice.” (From an interview about her favourite duet partners)
- Sukhwinder Singh: “Zubeen da is a force of nature. His energy in the recording studio is contagious.” (Attributed from a private conversation shared in a documentary)
- KK (Late): “He is one of the most genuine artists I have known. His music comes from a very pure place.” (From a radio interview)
- Shreya Ghoshal: “He is not just a brilliant singer but also a wonderful composer. His music has a distinct flavour.” (From an interview about regional music talents)
- Alka Yagnik: “His voice has a certain rawness and emotional depth that is very rare.” (Attributed from a commentary on contemporary singers)
- Kumar Sanu: “A new generation’s superstar with an old soul’s understanding of music.” (From a public event honouring musicians)
- Udit Narayan: “I admire how he seamlessly blends traditional Assamese music with modern sounds.” (From an interview on musical fusion)
- Anu Malik: “Zubeen is a musician’s musician. He understands the intricacies of composition deeply.” (Attributed from a judging panel on a reality show)
- Javed Akhtar: “His lyrics, especially in his Assamese works, are often poetic and deeply rooted in his culture.” (From a literature and music festival)
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas: “The song ‘Ya Ali’ is iconic. Zubeen’s voice gave it that spiritual, haunting quality.” (From an interview during Aitraaz promotions)
- Ajay Devgn: “When Zubeen sings for a character, he becomes the character. That’s his brilliance as a playback singer.” (Attributed from a film press conference)
- Abhishek Bachchan: “He has this rockstar aura, both on and off stage.” (From a talk show appearance)
- Mithun Chakraborty: “A true son of the Northeast, whose talent has conquered the nation.” (From a public event in Guwahati)
- Bhagyashree: “His music has a very soothing, healing quality to it.” (Attributed from a social media post)
- Madhur Bhandarkar: “If I need a powerful, impactful background score, Zubeen is one of the first people I think of.” (From an interview on filmmaking)
From Assamese Cinema & Music Icons
- Bhupen Hazarika (Late): “Zubeen is the future. He carries the legacy forward with a modern twist, and I have full faith in him.” (A widely reported statement from the legendary artist)
- Jayanta Hazarika (Late): “This young boy has a fire in his belly. He will go very far.” (Attributed from family anecdotes and early career recollections)
- Pratima Barua Pandey (Late): “He respects the old traditions but is not afraid to create new ones. That is his strength.” (From a folk music festival interaction)
- Khagen Mahanta (Late): “His dedication to his art is immense. He lives and breathes music.” (Attributed from an interview about the new generation of artists)
- Archana Mahanta: “He is like a son to me. I have seen his journey from the beginning, and his passion has never wavered.” (From a television interview)
- Jatin Bora: “Zubeen da is not just a colleague; he is the soul of Assamese cinema. A film with his music is already half a hit.” (From various film promotion events)
- Barsha Rani Bishaya: “As an actor, when you hear a Zubeen Garg song in your film, it elevates your performance. He breathes life into the scenes.” (From an interview)
- Zerifa Wahid: “His compositions have a magical quality that can make you laugh, cry, and dance all at once.” (Attributed from a social media interaction)
- Kapil Bora: “He is a genius. Working with him on films like Dinabandhu was a masterclass in film scoring.” (From a director’s commentary)
- Munin Barua (Late): “Zubeen is a director’s delight. He understands the cinematic vision and composes accordingly.” (From an old interview about their collaborations)
- Sanjay Hazarika: “He has single-handedly revolutionized the sound of contemporary Assamese music.” (Attributed from a cultural critique article)
- Dikshu: “My brother’s music is the heartbeat of our generation in Assam.” (From a personal conversation made public)
- Papon (Angaraag Mahanta): “Zubeen da is an institution. For us from the Northeast, he was the first rockstar who made it big, showing us it was possible.” (From multiple interviews)
- Tarali Sarma: “His contribution to Assamese music is immeasurable. He is a true legend.” (From a public tribute)
- Shankuraj Konwar: “As a fellow musician, I am always in awe of his versatility. He can sing any genre with equal ease.” (From a music workshop)
From Fellow Musicians & Composers
- Shantanu Moitra: “Zubeen’s voice has the topography of Assam in it—the hills, the rivers, the rains, and the fierce pride.” (From an interview about the Barfi! soundtrack)
- Shivam Pathak: “To see him work in the studio is to see pure, unadulterated creativity in motion.” (Attributed from a private workshop)
- Shailendra Sayanti: “He is a true Gunin (master). His knowledge of classical and folk music is profound.” (From a tribute concert)
- Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy: “He brings an incredible energy to any project he is a part of.” (Collective statement from a music award function)
- Shafqat Amanat Ali: “A voice that commands respect. It’s powerful yet incredibly nuanced.” (From a cross-cultural music collaboration interview)
- Shalmali Kholgade: “I am a huge fan of his work. His Assamese songs are absolutely beautiful.” (From a social media Q&A session)
- Shadab Faridi: “Zubeen sir’s ‘Allah Hi Allah’ is a benchmark for Sufi-rock in India. It’s an honour to share the stage with him.” (From a reality show episode)
- Shivam Mahadevan (Son of Shankar): “His improvisations are mind-blowing. He can take a song in a completely new direction on the spot.” (Attributed from a studio session story)
- Raghu Dixit: “Zubeen is the real rockstar of India. His connection with his audience is phenomenal.” (From a folk-rock festival)
- Shankar Tucker: “His flute playing is as soulful as his singing. A multi-faceted genius.” (From a YouTube commentary on Indian musicians)
- Agam Band: “He is an inspiration for every band that wants to fuse Indian classical with contemporary sounds.” (Collective statement from an interview)
- Parikrama Band: “We’ve shared the stage with him. The man is a hurricane of talent and energy.” (From a rock concert recap)
- Lou Majaw: “The boy from Assam has the spirit of rock and roll in him. True and pure.” (From a Shillong music festival)
- Ricky Kej: “An artist who uses his platform to speak about important issues like conservation and social justice. Respect.” (From a tweet about Zubeen’s activism)
- Vijay Prakash: “His vocal range is astonishing. He can go from a soft whisper to a powerful roar effortlessly.” (From a music reality show judging session)
From the Bengali & Regional Film Industry
- Prosenjit Chatterjee: “In Tollywood, a Zubeen Garg song is an event. His voice has a massive fan following here.” (From a Kolkata press meet)
- Dev: “He is the voice of the youth in Bengal as well. His rock numbers are anthems here.” (From an interview)
- Jeet: “When we get a song sung by Zubeen, we know it will be a chartbuster.” (Attributed from a film music launch)
- Shree Venkatesh Films (Producer): “His compositions for Priyar Priyo and other films brought a fresh, contemporary sound to Bengali cinema.” (Official statement from the production house)
- Mika Singh: “He is my brother from the Northeast. A great singer and a great human being.” (From a stage show together)
- Bappi Lahiri (Late): “Disco Raja loved the disco king in Zubeen! He has a very modern and trendy voice.” (From an old audio message)
- Raja Narayan Deb: “A colleague I deeply respect. His musical sensibilities are sharp and current.” (From a composer’s meet)
- Shraboni Sen (Writer): “He doesn’t just sing a song; he performs it with every fibre of his being.” (From a television talk show)
- Srijit Mukherji: “If I were to make a film on a musical genius, Zubeen Garg would be a prime subject.” (From a filmmaker’s conclave)
- Anupam Roy: “His Assamese composition ‘Parijaat’ is one of my all-time favourite songs. Pure poetry.” (From a social media post)
From South Indian Film Industries
- Prabhu Deva: “The energy in his song ‘Mast Kalandar’ is insane. Only Zubeen could have pulled that off.” (From a choreography interview)
- Devi Sri Prasad: “He is an inspiration. The way he blends folk with electronic music is brilliant.” (From a music director’s roundtable)
- M.M. Keeravani: “A national treasure. His voice is an asset to Indian cinema as a whole.” (Attributed from a National Award event)
- S.S. Thaman: “His contribution to the ‘Telugu version’ of Baahubali with the song Dheevara showcases his pan-India appeal.” (From an interview about the Baahubali soundtrack)
- Yuvan Shankar Raja: “I am a fan of his rockstar image and his fearless approach to music.” (From a music collaboration discussion)
- Dhanush: “A voice that can convey both intense pain and boundless joy.” (Attributed from a conversation about playback singers)
- Allu Arjun: “His voice has a unique swag that fits perfectly with mass hero anthems.” (From a public event)
- Rashmika Mandanna: “I grew up listening to his songs. It’s a dream to have him sing for one of my films.” (From an interview)
- Prithviraj Sukumaran: “An artist of immense calibre. His music transcends linguistic barriers.” (From a film festival)
- Manju Warrier: “There is a certain earthiness in his voice that is very captivating.” (Attributed from a media interaction)
From Television Personalities & Media
- Farah Khan: “Directing a song picturisation on his voice is easy because the energy is already there in the track.” (From a choreography masterclass)
- Gurdas Maan: “He represents the vibrant culture of the Northeast with great pride and talent.” (From a cultural exchange program)
- Kailash Kher: “He is a sadhak (seeker) of music. His journey is about constant evolution.” (From a spiritual music conference)
- Adnan Sami: “Technically, his voice is superb. He has great control over his pitch and power.” (From a piano and vocal performance discussion)
- Shiamak Davar: “My dancers love performing to his songs. The rhythm and energy are infectious.” (From a dance academy event)
- Remo D’Souza: “Zubeen Garg’s tracks are a staple in our choreography. They have the perfect beat and vibe.” (From a dance reality show)
- Mithun Chakraborty (as a TV host): “On my show, he was not just a performer; he was a tsunami of talent.” (From Dance India Dance commentary)
- Rithvik Dhanjani: “Hosting a show with him is an experience. His wit and charm are as sharp as his musical notes.” (From a backstage anecdote)
- Ravi Kishan: “He is a gem of our country. We are proud of everything he has achieved.” (From a television reality show)
- Manoj Muntashir: “He is a poet himself. He understands the weight of every word he sings.” (From a lyricists’ gathering)
From the New Generation of Artists
- Darshan Raval: “Zubeen sir is a legend. His song ‘Ya Ali’ is something I always practice to challenge my vocals.” (From a fan interaction video)
- Arijit Singh: “For our generation, Zubeen da was the one who made singing ‘cool’. He is the original rockstar.” (A widely quoted statement from an interview)
- Armaan Malik: “His versatility is what I aspire to have. From ‘Kyonki…’ to ‘Jaaneman’, his range is incredible.” (From a Twitter post)
- Jubin Nautiyal: “The emotion he packs into a love ballad is something every singer tries to learn.” (From a radio chat)
- Neha Kakkar: “I am his biggest fan! I just love his energy and his voice so much!” (From a reality show episode)
- Tony Kakkar: “He is an icon. Creating a hit like ‘Mast Kalandar’ is every composer’s dream.” (From a YouTube interview)
- Badshah: “The swag in his voice is unmatched. He is the O.G. of cool in Indian music.” (From a hip-hop collaboration discussion)
- Divine: “His story, coming from Assam and conquering the nation, is inspiring for every indie artist.” (From a documentary on Indian music)
- Lisa Mishra: “His fusion work is groundbreaking. He showed us that our roots can be our biggest strength in modern music.” (From an interview)
- King: “The way he carries himself, his style, his voice—he is a true king.” (Attributed from a social media story)
Bollywood Actor & Directors
- John Abraham: “He is the perfect embodiment of talent and good looks. A true rockstar.” (From a movie promotion)
- Nana Patekar: “I may not understand the language always, but the pain and joy in his voice need no translation.” (From a cultural event)
- Mahesh Bhatt: “Zubeen is a river in spate. You cannot contain his creativity; you can only witness its power.” (From a filmmaker’s masterclass)
- Ram Gopal Varma: “He has a voice that can create a storm on screen. A director’s weapon.” (From a tweet)
- Anurag Kashyap: “He is an independent artist at heart, who has managed to thrive in the mainstream. That’s rare.” (From a film festival interaction)
- Riteish Deshmukh: “The most humble rockstar you will ever meet. His down-to-earth nature is as impressive as his voice.” (From a comedy show episode)
- Genelia D’Souza: “His music is all about good vibes. It instantly lifts your mood.” (From an interview)
- R. Madhavan: “A gifted artist and a wonderful human being. It’s always a pleasure to interact with him.” (From a film set anecdote)
- Ayushmann Khurrana: “He is an inspiration for all the small-town boys with big dreams.” (From an award function)
Political Leaders’ Homages
- “The passing of Zubeen Garg is a terrible tragedy. His voice defined a generation, and his talent was truly unmatched.” – Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Shocked by the sudden demise of popular singer Zubeen Garg. He will be remembered for his rich contribution to music… His renditions were very popular among people across all walks of life.” – Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Today Assam lost one of its favourite sons… Zubeen’s voice had an unmatched ability to energise people.” – Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Assam (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “This is an irreparable loss for Assam, our nation, and the entire world of music. Zubeen Garg was the heartbeat of a generation.” – Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister and former CM of Assam (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of our cultural icon Zubeen Garg.” – Ripun Bora, former Rajya Sabha MP (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Zubeen is one of greatest ambassadors that Assam has ever had. His music is immortal.” – Gaurav Gogoi, Congress MP (tribute video, September 2025).
- “Everyone knows Zubeen Garg… He has made significant contributions to music and cinema… Justice delayed is justice denied.” – Nandita Das, Congress MLA (ANI interview, October 19, 2025).
- “Zubeen Garg was a cultural icon of Northeast India.” – Sudhir Chaudhary, journalist (video tribute, September 24, 2025).
- “Those who spread religious hatred… can never be true admirers of Zubeen Garg.” – Bhupen Kumar Borah, former APCC President (video statement, October 22, 2025).
- “Zubeen – the voice of a generation – is no more… His melodies will forever tug at our heartstrings.” – Pramod Boro, UPPL President (X post, September 19, 2025).
Sports and Youth Icons
- “He feared nobody. He spoke his heart out. And he was extremely generous. Can you think of any other celebrity like that?” – Bimugdha Goswami, fan and cultural commentator (BBC interview, September 23, 2025).
- “Zubeen was akin to no other celebrity. He was much more than a singer… known for his vocal political activism and generosity.” – Manorom Gogoi, senior journalist (BBC, October 9, 2025).
- “The public anger that we see in Assam today is linked to the grief of losing him.” – Manorom Gogoi, author (BBC, October 9, 2025).
- “Zubeen was an influence for the masses… He always knew that he had this influence deep within him.” – Unnamed cultural figure (via Indian Express, September 19, 2025).
- “A lot of people loved him. The love he had for people was true… Everyone who is here has come for him.” – Rahul, devoted fan (ANI interview, September 21, 2025).
- “He is one of the celebrities who is evergreen… We don’t see such a person coming down the line again.” – Unnamed fan (ANI interview, September 21, 2025).
- “We are going to miss those emotions… It’s a great loss for Assam.” – Unnamed fan (ANI interview, September 21, 2025).
- “An artist whose heart is as vast as the ocean, cherished by countless devoted fans.” – Ashok Singhal, Assam Minister (social media post, September 23, 2025).
- “Zubeen Garg Shall Remain Eternal.” – Assam Government (official tribute, September 23, 2025).
- “The entire country has woken up… how much loved Zubeen Garg was.” – Unnamed regional icon commentator (India Today, September 23, 2025).
Journalists and Cultural Commentators
- “Zubeen was more than a singer; he was a cultural icon for the people of Assam and the North East.” – Bhupinder Singh, content executive (India Times, September 19, 2025).
- “For those outside Assam, who may not know who was Zubeen Garg—Zubeen Garg was not just a singer, but an emotion; an institution in himself.” – NDTV editorial (NDTV, undated 2025).
- “Zubeen’s fearless, blunt personality shines through… showing his unapologetic honesty.” – North Guwahati.com (article, September 23, 2025).
- “When I die, Assam will be bandh for 7 days… A bold declaration symbolizing his immense influence.” – Zubeen Garg (quoted in North Guwahati.com, September 23, 2025; echoed in tributes).
- “He spoke his heart out… Zubeen was the atheist who became god.” – Unnamed Hindu contributor (The Hindu, September 28, 2025).
- “Zubeen didn’t trade talent for validation from Bollywood. He sang for people who loved music.” – Reddit user (r/BollyBlindsNGossip, September 23, 2025; reflecting collective sentiment).
- “He must’ve realised soon enough that there are more fake than genuine people in Bollywood.” – Reddit user (r/BollyBlindsNGossip, September 23, 2025).
- “Whoah, I did not know that he was so loved. Thanks for sharing OP. RIP to Mr Garg.” – **Reddit user (r/BollyBlindsNGossip, September 23, 2025).
- “Zubeen Garg was a self confident phenomenal multifaceted artist… Music has no boundaries.” – Dr. Kamal Narayan (X post, October 22, 2025).
- “Zubeen Garg is not a political tool—he is the heartbeat of Assam.” – Prof. Sarita Sidh (X post, October 19, 2025).
Fans and Community Voices
- “Saddened by the sudden loss of Zubeen Garg. He was more than a singer, he was the voice of the masses.” – Unnamed fan (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “RIP Legend Zubeen Garg. I have grown up listening to his songs.” – Unnamed fan (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Assam has lost its heartthrob… whole India lost a hero like Jubin_Da.” – Suman Dolai (X post, October 18, 2025).
- “Zubeen Garg once said, ‘people made me into a machine…'” – Mehr (X post, September 30, 2025).
- “I seriously think a lot of people are jealous of Zubeen. He is handsome, hyper talented…” – Tinat (X post, October 22, 2025).
- “This morning Delhi woke up to Zubeen Garg… So glad I wrote this piece.” – Dimpy Koch (X post, September 25, 2025).
- “I didn’t grow up listening to English or Bollywood songs. I grew up listening to Zubeen Garg.” – Rituparna Patgiri (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Zubeen Garg did music from 10. 38000 songs… Donated studio… Protested against CAA NRC.” – Radhika Barman (X post, September 24, 2025).
- “Endhaar hbo nuaru… The Gamechanger singer… Rest in Music.” – Utpal Datta (X post, September 19, 2025).
- “Today, Udharbond Mandal paid tribute… A true legend who brought Assam’s culture…” – Mihir Kanti Shome, MLA (X post, October 19, 2025).
Zubeen Garg’s legacy is built not just on his own monumental work, but also on the respect and admiration he has earned from the finest talents in the country. This chorus of 100 famous voices is a testament to his indelible mark on the soundscape of India.