Some voices touch your heart, then there are some which directly reach your souls and stay forever in the heart. These voices probably were never trained in some prestigious music schools or shaped by years of classical riyaaz. These are the voices blessed by gods of voice themselves. Say hello to Suneel Lodhi, the voice behind the famous ‘Maine tere hi bharose’. A song that has taken the country by storm.Who is Suneel LodhiSuneel Lodhi is a visually impaired folk singer from Bundelkhand, Madhya Pradesh. But he never let his blindness become his identity, instead his extraordinary voice, full of innocence and faith took over the country. From singing bhajans and Bundeli folk songs in villages and local trains with a tambura in his hands to having his voice heard on the big screen now in Hanuman Ansh. His rendition of “Maine Tere Hi Bharose” has now brought him an audience far beyond the world he knew.But behind the viral song is a much quieter story of a boy who could not see, but gradually discovered that he had something powerful to offer the world: his voice.A childhood filled with music

Suneel Lodhi singing (Instagram)

Lodhi has been visually impaired since childhood but unlike other singers, his musical education happened in the most organic way possible. He used to listen, sing and perform. He has recalled that his association with music began when he was around 10 or 11 years old. His tambura became his best friend.But he knew that there was no glamorous stage waiting for him. He had to create his own stage which were villages, local events and trains. For years, Lodhi sang wherever people wanted to listen. His music was rooted in the folk traditions of Bundelkhand, and his performances carried the unmistakable simplicity of a singer who had learnt to let his voice do the talking.No formal training, Lata Mangeshkar his idol

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In a recent Doordarshan interview, Lodhi said he had never received formal training or had a music teacher. He spoke instead about listening to Lata Mangeshkar's songs and then singing at devotional gatherings in his village. It was an education born not in a classroom, but in everyday life.From trains to the InternetLodhi began sharing his music through Bundeli Duniya, a platform dedicated to Bundeli content. What began as recordings of regional songs slowly gave his voice a digital life. One of his songs, “Dula Ban Ke Aa Gai,” attracted lakhs of views, but the real turning point came with a traditional Hanuman bhajan, “More Sankat Ke Kataiya.”The bhajan crossed 29 million views online, turning him and his voice into a viral sensation. For Lodhi, it was the moment when his voice began travelling farther than he ever had.Call from Mumbai that changed his life

Suneel Lodhi with CM (Instagram)

Among the people who heard that raw, earthy voice was filmmaker and music producer Pankaj VRK. Pankaj had been working on YouTube content and came across Lodhi's rendition of “More Sankat Ke Kataiya.”His voice touched him. However, locating Lodhi was not easy. Pankaj has said that he had to search around before finally finding his contact number. Soon, he got in touch with the singer and called him to Mumbai.Lodhi eventually recorded eight songs at Mumbai's Sai Baba Studio. One of them changed his life again, “Maine Tere Hi Bharose.”The main surprise was that Lodhi did not know that song would eventually feature in a film. He simply sang it the way he had always sung with his tambura.And rest is historyThe film was Hanuman Ansh, directed by Vishal Chaturvedi. The movie was inspired by the spiritual life and journey of Neem Karori Baba. Released in theatres on August 7, 2026, the film went on to become a success story. And Lodhi’s song “Maine Tere Hi Bharose” is rooted in devotion and surrender. He began receiving calls from people congratulating him on the song's popularity from all over the world.Recognition from Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

Suneel Lodhi in the MP's CM House (Instagram)

Recently, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav met the talented young Bundeli singer at his residence. During the meeting, Lodhi shared details about his achievements and journey in the field of singing. The CM felicitated him and his parents and also announced that to provide an honorarium of ₹1 lakh in recognition of his talent and achievements.The CM also assured Lodhi that the government would provide the necessary support to explore treatment options aimed at helping restore his eyesight.A success story

Suneel Lodhi in Hanuman Ansh (Instagram)

It would be easy to describe Suneel Lodhi's story simply as that of a visually impaired singer who finally made it to Bollywood. His story is about faith before recognition.For years, he sang without knowing whether his voice would ever travel beyond Bundelkhand. He continued performing when the audience was a village gathering, a train compartment or a handful of people listening nearby.He did not wait for a perfect opportunity. He just kept singing for his god, for his Hanuman and for his people. And eventually, the world heard him.Some journeys begin quietly, just with a pure voice and tambura and a bhajan.