Tia Bajpai, born Twinkle Bajpai, is an Indian singer and actress. She first became visible to audiences as a young contestant on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005, one of India’s best known singing reality shows
From TV she moved to films, making her cinematic debut in Vikram Bhatt’s horror movie Haunted – 3D.
Since then she has appeared in several Hindi films spanning horror, drama and comedy, and has released independent music under the name Tia B. Her dual career gives her a rare position in Bollywood.
She not only acts but also records and performs songs, often bringing her singer’s instincts to the roles she chooses.
Tia Bajpai is a voice you hear and a face you remember. She began her career as a contestant on a national singing show, moved into television acting, and then stepped into mainstream Hindi films.
Over the years she has balanced two creative passions acting and singing and carved a steady, unconventional career path.
This biography covers her early life, breakthrough moments, film and music work, style and craft, public image, notable stats, frequently asked questions, and sources.
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Table of Contents
Tia Bajpai’s Biography
Early life and the first taste of public attention
Tia was born and raised in Lucknow, a city known for its culture and music. She showed musical interest early and took classical and contemporary lessons as she grew up.
At around 16 or 17 she auditioned for Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge in 2005. The show connects contestants to national audiences, and for Tia it proved decisive.
Her voice and stage presence won attention and opened doors into television roles and music projects. Early TV appearances included soap operas and episodic shows that are staples of India’s entertainment industry. These roles helped her transition from singer to a flexible performer capable of acting on camera. 1
Why this matters: many Indian actors either come from a film background or from theatre. Tia’s pathway, from reality singing to TV acting to films, is increasingly common but still notable. It shows a performer willing to build craft across mediums rather than rely on a single early success.
Stats Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Twinkle Bajpai. Professionally known as Tia Bajpai. |
| Date of birth | 23 May 1989 (reported in public sources). |
| Birthplace | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. |
| Occupation | Actress, singer. |
| Years active | 2005 – present (TV, films and music). |
| Breakthrough (TV) | Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 — contestant and finalist. |
| Film debut | Haunted – 3D (2011), directed by Vikram Bhatt. |
| Notable films | Haunted – 3D (2011), 1920: The Evil Returns (2012), Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat (2015), Lakeerein (2023). |
| Music highlights | Released international singles and an English-language project billed as the album Upgrade. Singles include “Bon Appetit” and other tracks credited to Tia B. |
| Awards | Mirchi Music Award — Upcoming Female Vocalist (for “Sheet Leher” from Lanka). |
| Social media | Active on Instagram and YouTube with music and promotional content. |
Television Years: Shaping An Actor
After her run on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005, Tia appeared in several television projects. She took parts in family dramas and episodic series.
Those early years gave her a steady on-camera education. Television in India is high volume and intense; actors work long schedules and shoot many episodes in a short time.
For Tia this period was formative. She learned camera technique, how to modulate emotion for close-up work, and how to handle the relentless pace of television production.
That experience later helped when she moved into films, where a single scene can demand more nuanced restraint.
Film Debut: Haunted – 3D (2011)
Tia’s film debut was Haunted – 3D in 2011, directed by Vikram Bhatt. The film was notable for being promoted as a three-dimensional horror picture in Hindi cinema.
Tia played the central female character, a young woman who confronts supernatural forces. The film gave her a lead role in a mainstream release, allowing her to showcase both acting and singing, since she also contributed a song to the soundtrack. Critics and audiences took notice.
While the film received mixed critical reviews, it established Tia as a film actor and created a public association between her and the horror genre.
Key point: debuting as a lead in a commercially marketed film is rare for artists coming from reality TV. That early casting positioned Tia as a bankable performer for particular kinds of films, especially thrillers and horror.
Growth in Film: 1920- The Evil Returns and other parts
After Haunted – 3D, Tia continued in horror with 1920: The Evil Returns (2012), another Vikram Bhatt production.
In that film she portrayed a character who becomes possessed, a role that demanded physicality and sustained emotional intensity. The film did well commercially within its genre.
Over the following years Tia explored other genres and formats, including comedy in Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat (2015) and small but memorable parts in ensemble films.
She also did work in indie and regional formats, showing a readiness to work in smaller releases and experiment with different filmmakers.
Music Career and International Singles
Tia has maintained her musical identity throughout her acting career. In 2011 she sang “Sau Baras” for Haunted – 3D, and she later recorded songs in other films.
Around 2020 she announced an English-language project marketed as the album Upgrade and released singles credited to Tia B. The single “Bon Appetit” was promoted with an animated video and positioned as an international release.
In addition to official singles, she has released cover songs and collaborated with producers and musicians across Europe and India.
Her music channels and streaming profiles show a mix of Hindi film songs, independent singles, and collaborative tracks released in recent years.
Why this matters: moving from film playback singing to independent English singles is a strategic shift. It shows an artist reaching beyond the film-music ecosystem into streaming and global pop markets.
Style, craft and approach to roles
Tia’s acting style shows a mix of television-trained clarity and a singer’s sensitivity to rhythm and phrasing.
In horror roles, she uses controlled voice work and micro-expressions to sell tension. In lighter roles she brings an energy and timing that reflects her stage experience as a performer.
Interviews indicate she studies characters and works on physical details to inhabit them. Musically, Tia experiments with pop, electronic and fusion elements.
She uses English lyrics on some projects, signalling a desire to test international styles while retaining roots in Indian melodic traditions.
Notable Projects
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Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 — early national exposure as a contestant and finalist.
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Haunted – 3D (2011) — film debut in a lead role. Also contributed the song “Sau Baras.”
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1920: The Evil Returns (2012) — prominent horror role showing range in intense physical scenes.
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Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat (2015) — comedy film, part of a wider attempt to diversify roles.
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Hate Story 4 (2018) — cameo appearance in a high-visibility franchise.
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Lakeerein (2023) — a more recent film credit showing continued film activity.
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Music singles (2019–2024) — independent singles, including “Bon Appetit” and collaborative tracks like “Jugni.” Her music is available on major streaming platforms.
Public Image and Interviews
Tia tends to present herself as a hard-working performer who respects both acting and music. In interviews she has spoken about the challenges of the industry, including competition and casting dynamics.
She has also talked about fitness, creativity during breaks, and reasons for leaning into independent music.
Her social media mixes promotional posts, music releases and glimpses of personal interests. She does not present an overly manufactured image; instead she focuses on craft and output.
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Awards and Recognition
Tia’s most visible music recognition is the Mirchi Music Award for Upcoming Female Vocalist for the song Sheet Leher from the film Lanka. The award underscores her capability as a singer distinct from her acting.
Beyond formal awards, her steady presence in film and music projects and her engagement with fans on social platforms represent a form of ongoing recognition in a crowded entertainment market.
The Business Side: Streaming, Branding and Independence
Tia has adapted to the streaming era. Her music is on platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.
She has released English singles aimed at an international audience and used animated videos to boost reach.
This approach reduces reliance on film playback singing and opens new revenue and creative possibilities.
Presenting music under a slightly different name (Tia B) is a common strategy for artists who want separate identities for film and independent work.
Challenges and Setbacks
No career is without setbacks. Tia has discussed the unpredictability of casting and the realities of working against entrenched industry networks.
She has also turned down roles she felt did not align with her artistic goals. Periods between films do not always mean absence from creative life; during breaks she has focused on music, writing and travel.
That balance between industry turbulence and personal creative projects is typical for artists who want to retain agency.2
Where she stands today
Tia Bajpai remains an active performer who splits time between acting and music. Her recent credits show interest in horror again, suggesting comfort with the genre, but she has also moved across comedy and drama.
Musically she continues to release singles and collaborate with producers. In short, she is an independent artist with cross-medium instincts, navigating both Bollywood structures and the independent music world.
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Stats Table
| Metric | Value | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Years active | ~2005–present | Began with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa in 2005. |
| Film debut year | 2011 | Haunted – 3D. |
| Known film count | 8+ | Including Haunted 3D, 1920: The Evil Returns, Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat, Lakeerein. |
| Noted singles | Several (e.g., “Bon Appetit”, “Jugni”) | Released as Tia B and in collaborations. |
| Streaming presence | Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube | Official artist and channel pages. |
| Major award | Mirchi Music Award — Upcoming Female Vocalist | For “Sheet Leher” from Lanka. |
FAQ’s
Q: What is Tia Bajpai’s real name?
A: Her birth name is Twinkle Bajpai. She uses the stage name Tia Bajpai professionally.
Q: When and where was she born?
A: Public sources report her date of birth as 23 May 1989 and her birthplace as Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Q: How did she start her career?
A: She first came to national attention as a contestant on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005. This led to television roles and then films.
Q: What was her first film?
A: Haunted – 3D (2011), directed by Vikram Bhatt, was her film debut. She also sang on the film’s soundtrack.
Q: Has she won any awards?
A: She won the Mirchi Music Award for Upcoming Female Vocalist for the song “Sheet Leher” from the film Lanka.
Q: Does she sing as well as act?
A: Yes. She has performed songs for films and released independent singles and an album project called Upgrade under the name Tia B.
Q: Where can I listen to her music?
A: Her music is on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming platforms. Search for “Tia Bajpai” and “Tia B”.
Q: Is she still active in films?
A: Yes. She has film credits through the 2010s and released a film in 2023 (Lakeerein). She also continues to release music.
Q: What kind of roles does she prefer?
A: She has often chosen strong, emotionally intense parts, especially in horror. She has also done comedy and dramatic roles, reflecting a preference for variety and a readiness to experiment. Interviews show she values characters with depth.
Conclusion
Tia Bajpai matters because she embodies a modern hybrid performer. She began in reality television, moved through the intensive world of Indian TV drama, and then stepped into film and independent music.
Her choices show a desire to make work on her own terms. She does not limit herself to one field; instead she builds bridges between music and acting.
That creative restlessness and willingness to try different formats is how many contemporary artists survive and grow in an industry that constantly shifts.
Her story is also a useful case study in modern entertainment careers. It shows how talent contests, television, films and streaming music interact to create sustainable careers.
Tia’s path is not the celebrity highway of nonstop blockbusters. It is quieter, more varied, and in many ways more resilient.
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