The Indian entertainment industry has been rocked by a seismic announcement this week, as legendary playback singer Arijit Singh declared his retirement from singing for films. Taking to his social media platforms, Singh shared a brief but impactful message, stating he is "calling it off", leaving millions of fans and industry peers in a state of disbelief and sorrow.
Social Media Erupts with Tributes and Memories
As news of Arijit Singh's retirement spread like wildfire across digital platforms, ardent followers and netizens began reacting with an outpouring of emotion. In the wake of this shocking development, several old videos, posts, and heartfelt anecdotes linked to the singer have been resurfacing, reminding everyone of his immense impact on music and popular culture.
Arijit Singh's Heartfelt Praise for Shah Rukh Khan
One particularly poignant moment that has captured widespread attention once again is Singh's beautiful tribute to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan from several years ago. Back in 2017, when Arijit Singh lent his soulful voice to the song 'Zaalima' for Shah Rukh Khan's film 'Raees', he openly expressed his admiration during the song's launch event.
At that time, Singh shared his profound thoughts about the iconic actor, saying, "SRK has romantic blood in his body. Nobody can romance like Shahrukh Khan in the whole world. Love and Respect." These heartfelt words resonated deeply with fans and have remained etched in public memory for years, with many feeling that Arijit simply vocalized what millions already believed about the superstar's charm.
Shah Rukh Khan responded to this praise with equal warmth and grace, replying, "Tum gaate hi aise ho pyaar khud bahar aa jaata hai (The way you sing, love just naturally comes out.). Thanks again." This exchange highlighted the mutual respect between two giants of Indian entertainment.
Virat Kohli's Fanboy Moments with Arijit Singh
Alongside this rare SRK-praise moment, another old social media post featuring cricket legend Virat Kohli has also resurfaced in the wake of Arijit's announcement. Fans discovered that back in 2016, the former Indian cricket captain had posted on X (formerly Twitter) about his admiration for the singer.
In that heartfelt post, Kohli wrote, "I am probably one of the biggest fans of Arijit Singh. Mesmerized by his talent and soulful voice. I am short of words actually." The cricket star's appreciation did not end there. The following year, Virat Kohli shared a photograph with Arijit Singh, captioning it with, "Pure fanboy moment for me. What an amazing person he is. No one has captivated me with their voice like this man. God bless you Arijit."
Arijit Singh's Legacy with Shah Rukh Khan Films
Over the years, Arijit Singh has contributed his distinctive vocals to numerous memorable songs for Shah Rukh Khan's movies, creating an enduring musical partnership. Some of their most celebrated collaborations include:
- 'Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari' from 'Chennai Express'
- 'Manwa Laage' from 'Happy New Year'
- 'Gerua' from 'Dilwale'
- 'Janam Janam' from 'Dilwale'
These songs have not only dominated music charts but have also become anthems for romance in contemporary Indian cinema.
Industry Challenges and Arijit Singh's Candid Revelation
In recent times, Arijit Singh has also been vocal about the challenges within the Bollywood music industry. He once exposed what he described as an exploitative pay system, famously stating, "I Hate My Name Attached" to certain practices, highlighting the need for better treatment and compensation for artists.
As the entertainment world comes to terms with Arijit Singh's retirement decision, these resurfacing moments serve as powerful reminders of his extraordinary talent and the deep connections he forged with both celebrities and common fans alike. His soulful voice has provided the soundtrack to countless lives, and his departure marks the end of an era in Indian playback singing.
