
Last updated 2 days ago
Also known as: Shy Engineer
Sanju Rathod (born 24 November 1998), is an Indian singer, songwriter, composer, and lyricist primarily known for his work in the Marathi music industry. He gained widespread recognition with his viral 2024 hit "Gulabi Sadi," followed by popular tracks like "Shaky" and "Kali Bindi". Rathod’s music fuses traditional Marathi folk with contemporary pop, Afrobeats, and indie sounds, attracting a massive following among younger audiences.
Sanju Rathod was born on 24 November 1998 in Dhanwad village, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, into a Banjara family. His father is a farmer and his mother is a homemaker. He initially studied mechanical engineering before developing an interest in music during his college years. Inspired by artists such as Honey Singh, he began writing and performing rap songs, with his passion for music partly influenced by personal experiences. In 2017, Rathod left college and moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in music, overcoming financial difficulties, family opposition, and criticism during his early journey.
Profession
Singer, Songwriter, Composer and Lyricist
Birthplace
Dhanwad, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, India
Age
26
Nationality
Indian
Net Worth
20 Crore
Sanju Rathod has a fit and toned physique, as seen in his inspirational fitness posts and collaborations with health and fitness brands. While his music career is his primary focus, he also emphasizes the importance of overall body development, including muscle building and healthy living, and promotes his fitness journey on his social media, according to his Instagram posts.
Sanju Rathod's father is a farmer while his mother is a homemaker, and he grew up in a simple household with no professional musical background.
Sanju Rathod once fell in love with a girl he met on Facebook during his college days, but the relationship eventually ended. Since then, there have been no confirmed reports of him being in a relationship. While he has expressed admiration for Marathi actress Mithila Palkar, it is seen more as admiration rather than a romantic involvement.
Sanju Rathod is 26 years old.
Sanju Rathod was born on November 24, 1998 in Dhanwad, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, India.
Sanju Rathod was born in Dhanwad, Jalgaon district, Maharashtra, India.
Indian
Sanju Rathod is also known as Shy Engineer.
Sanju Rathod is 175 cm tall.
Sanju Rathod weighs around 65 kg.
Sanju Rathod's eye color is Black.
Sanju Rathod's hair color is Black.
Sanju Rathod has a Lean and Slender body type.
Sanju Rathod is a Singer, Songwriter, Composer and Lyricist.
Sanju Rathod's net worth is estimated to be 20 Crore.
Sanju Rathod hails from the state of Maharashtra, India — specifically from Dhanwad (or Dhanbad) village in the Jalgaon district.
Rathod started his music career with independent releases, beginning with devotional tracks dedicated to Ganpati Bappa, which garnered 10–15 million views on YouTube each year. His other songs "Chamiya", "Style Martay", "Jhumka" also went popular. His breakthrough came with "Nauvari Pahije" in May 2023, a vibrant single picturised with Prajakta Ghag that surpassed 200 million YouTube views and won the "Favorite Song (Non-film)" award at the 14th Maharashtracha Favourite Kon?.
In 2024, Rathod achieved nationwide fame with "Gulabi Sadi" (transl. Pink Saree), released on 6 February as a sequel to "Nauvari Pahije". The song's catchy melody, vibrant lyrics, and music video—directed by Rathod and featuring Prajakta Ghag—went viral, inspiring over 5 million Instagram reels. Celebrities like Madhuri Dixit, Remo D'Souza joined the trend. The track marked the first Marathi song to be displayed on New York's Times Square and received praise from international artists in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Indian rappers like Divine and Badshah. Rathod appeared on "Superstar Singer 3" with Neha Kakkar.
In October 2024, Rathod made history as the first Marathi singer to open for Alan Walker's Sunburn Arena concert, representing regional music on an international stage. Rathod's 2025 release "Shaky", featuring Bigg Boss fame Isha Malviya, debuted on 22 April and quickly topped YouTube's Top 100 Music Videos Global chart. Blending Marathi folk with Afrobeats, it garnered over 100 million views and 3.4 million Instagram reels. Rathod revealed plans for its potential inclusion in a Bollywood film, highlighting his growing crossover appeal. Rathod’s subsequent single, "Sundari", featuring Yashika Jatav, was released on 11 September 2025 at YouTube fanfest 2025.