One of India's most beloved playback singers, Arijit Singh, surprised his fans on Friday by announcing his retirement. Reactions from music industry insiders, fans, and other singers flooded social media. It was in a reality TV program that the singer first gained fame, thanks to his distinctive voice. Throughout his career, he has performed hundreds of songs in many Indian languages, establishing himself as a prominent playback singer. Since announcing his retirement, all eyes have been on Arijit Singh, his career, personal life, and online persona. Many people are talking about his impact on the music industry and his songs' legacy.
In a field where music frequently conveys more than words alone, Singh's rough, battered baritone became a symbol of the ups and downs of the heart. The 38-year-old made a shocking social media revelation on Tuesday, saying he was retiring from playback singing. The resignation is a huge change for a voice that has become synonymous with modern Hindi cinema.
“Hello, Happy new year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey,” he posted. Independent music and composition, which Singh has always insisted were his true calling, will now most certainly take centre stage.
From local singing functions to Bollywood superstardom
In Murshidabad, West Bengal, Singh grew up in a family that appreciated classical music and encouraged him to pursue it. Bollywood music was often not allowed. At the age of three, his mother, a passionate music lover, had him start lessons with a famous local teacher named Rajendra Prasad Hazari, who strictly forbade him from listening to popular music. He was informed that he needed to abandon other genres in order to study something pure.
However, every once in a while, the eight-year-old would hear Bollywood music emanating from another room in the house and gradually pick out the classic hits by Kishore Kumar, Mohammad Rafi, and Lata Mangeshkar. Ironically, his guru had previously encouraged him to try out for the reality program, saying that he didn't want to spend the rest of his life teaching his kids.
Aashiqui 2's Tum Hi Ho was Arijit Singh's breakthrough smash, but he has provided some of the most soul-stirring songs in Bollywood. Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga from Half Girlfriend, Hawayein from Jab Harry Met Sejal, and Channa Mereya from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil are among the other beloved songs. In addition to receiving the Padma Shri in 2025, he has won two National Film Awards. At the same time, Arijit failed to clarify his decision-making process or provide any details about his intentions for the future. Upon his return to Mumbai, he found himself in the midst of a musical revolution in Bollywood, as creative filmmakers dared to tell fresh stories. Singh instantly felt comfortable in his new environment. While collaborating with Pritam, he honed his programming abilities, which he put to use by finding the perfect singer, recording scratch vocals, and organizing tracks.
Singh was chosen for the fast-paced number "Jhoom Jhoom" in Players by director-duo Abbas-Mastan after singing on one of these scratch tracks. Pritam kept Singh's rendition of "Phir Le Aaya Dil" even though it was originally recorded as a scratch version for the final singers to practice with. "Tum Hi Ho," "Kabira," "Channa Mereya," and "Kesariya" were just a few of his many huge songs. His most recent songs with Ed Sheeran, an English pop sensation, have also done very well. A landmark in Bollywood music has come to a close with Singh's decision to retire from playback singing, and he will now pursue his lifelong dream of being a composer and producer.
Arijit Singh’s future plans post retirement
Arijit Singh has promised to finish all of his outstanding playback commitments, so there's still hope for the release of a few of these songs later this year. Above all else, he reassured his audience that he is not retiring from music. He intends to keep on learning, creating, and experimenting, but not inside the conventional Bollywood framework. His announcement brought relief to millions of people who feared his complete disappearance from the music scene. It is unusual for a prominent artist to prioritise artistic autonomy over financial gain, and Arijit Singh's decision is a prime example of this. Even though he has a long list of hit singles under his belt, his decision shows that he would rather innovate than stay the same.
Retiring from playback singing is more of a change than a goodbye for Arijit Singh. With the adoration of millions and an unparalleled legacy, he retires from the spotlight of cinema music. Fans may long for his cinematic appearances, but his commitment to music guarantees that his voice will remain immortal.