In a move that has sent shockwaves through the music industry and left millions of fans devastated, Bollywood's reigning playback vocalist Arijit Singh has announced his sudden retirement from recording songs for films. The 38-year-old singer, whose voice has become synonymous with contemporary Indian cinema, revealed his decision via social media this week.
A Sudden Farewell to Bollywood
Arijit Singh took to Instagram on Tuesday to deliver the unexpected news that he would no longer accept new assignments as a playback vocalist. "I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners," he wrote. "I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey."
In Bollywood's unique musical ecosystem, playback singers like Singh record songs that actors later lip-sync on screen, making them integral to the cinematic experience. His announcement therefore represents a significant loss to the industry.
Fan Reactions and Clarifications
The initial response from fans was one of utter disbelief, with many questioning whether Singh's social media accounts had been compromised. The singer later clarified on X that he wasn't abandoning music entirely, but rather redirecting his focus toward Indian classical music.
"Just to be clear that I won't stop making music," Singh emphasized, addressing concerns about his complete withdrawal from the musical landscape.
The Reasons Behind the Decision
According to reports in the Times of India, Singh cited multiple factors influencing his decision, explaining that he had finally "gathered the right courage" to make this career shift. One prominent reason he shared was creative restlessness.
"I get bored pretty quick, that's why I keep changing arrangements of the same songs and perform them on stage," Singh wrote. "So, here is the thing, I got bored. I need to do some other music to live."
His statement continued: "I am going to go back to Indian classical music. I wanna go back to making music. I wanna start again. God has been really kind to me. I am a fan of good music, and in future will be learning more and do more on my own as a small little artist."
Pending Commitments and Career Highlights
Singh did reassure fans that he intends to honor existing professional obligations, mentioning "pending commitments" that audiences can anticipate throughout the coming year.
The singer's journey to stardom began with formal training at just three years old in his hometown of Murshidabad, eastern India. He studied Indian classical music and mastered the tabla, earning a government scholarship in classical vocals by age nine.
His breakthrough arrived in 2005 through the reality competition Fame Gurukul, though he didn't win the show. Singh later revealed he auditioned at his teacher's urging, who feared classical music was diminishing in popularity.
Singh's Bollywood debut came in 2011 with "Phir Mohabbat" for Murder 2, but his career-defining moment arrived two years later with the smash hit "Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui 2. Since then, he has collaborated with industry giants including:
- AR Rahman
- Pritam
- Amit Trivedi
Beyond Bollywood, Singh has forged international partnerships, releasing the English-Punjabi fusion track "Sapphire" with Ed Sheeran and the single "Weightless" with Dutch DJ Martin Garrix last year.
His global appeal was further demonstrated in September when he became the first Indian artist to headline a British stadium, performing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This followed a sold-out concert at London's O2 Arena the previous year, where Sheeran made a surprise appearance to join Singh for a duet of "Perfect."
As the music world processes this unexpected announcement, Singh's departure from Bollywood playback singing marks the end of an era while simultaneously heralding a new chapter dedicated to his classical roots.
