Arijit Singh Stuns Music World with Playback Singing Retirement Announcement
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Indian music industry, playback singing sensation Arijit Singh announced on January 27 that he would stop accepting new playback singing assignments. The announcement marks a dramatic departure from convention, as few artists voluntarily step away from such a successful career at their absolute prime.
The Emotional Announcement and Fan Reactions
"I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey," Singh wrote on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to listeners for years of unwavering support. He later added, "Ab aayega maza (Now, the real fun will begin)!!" signaling his excitement for what lies ahead.
The announcement triggered an immediate and emotional response from fans across India and beyond. Many expressed confusion, with one fan mistakenly believing Singh was leaving music entirely. "Music ko Hi bola hai re, pagle," Singh clarified, indicating he was only stepping away from playback singing, not music creation itself.
When questioned about his decision, Singh engaged directly with his audience. One fan challenged, "Getting bored is literally not a good reason." To which the singer firmly responded, "It is." Another demanded justification for what they called an "inappropriate decision," prompting Singh to reply with humor while maintaining his seriousness about the career shift.
The Real Reasons Behind the Career Shift
According to Singh, the decision had been brewing for some time before he finally gathered the courage to make it public. "Finally, I have gathered the right courage. One of the reasons were simple, I get bored pretty quick, that's why I keep changing arrangements of the same songs and perform them on stage," he explained.
The singer elaborated that this boredom with repetition had become a driving force behind his decision. "So here is the thing, I got bored. I need to do some other music to live," he wrote, emphasizing his need for creative renewal beyond the constraints of Bollywood playback singing.
Singh clarified that he would honor existing commitments, with some releases still expected this year. "Just to be clear that I won't stop making music. I still have to finish some pending commitments will finish them. So you might get some releases this year," he assured fans.
Returning to Musical Roots and Future Plans
Singh revealed his intention to return to his first musical love: Indian classical music. "I am going to go back to Indian Classical Music. I wanna go back to making music. I wanna start again," he declared, echoing sentiments he had expressed years earlier during an interview following his breakthrough success in Aashiqui 2.
Even at the height of his Bollywood popularity, Singh had maintained a critical perspective on film music, refusing to categorize it as "good music" and expressing his desire to eventually return to Hindustani classical traditions. This commitment was reinforced early in his career when legendary classical musician Pandit Jasraj, during a visit to Fame Gurukul, specifically encouraged the young Singh to never abandon classical singing.
"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," Singh wrote, expressing humility despite his monumental success. He also shared excitement about hearing new singers emerge and potentially inspire his own artistic journey.
Industry Reactions and Legacy
Music composer Jeet Gannguli, who collaborated with Singh on numerous iconic tracks including Muskurane Ki Wajah Tum Ho, Hamari Adhuri Kahani, and multiple songs from Aashiqui 2, offered supportive comments on the retirement decision. "He may be trying to look for something new but is not finding it yet. That is why he wants to search afresh," Gannguli told Anandabazar Patrika.
Gannguli praised Singh's artistic integrity, noting, "From what I know of Arijit, he is very honest and straightforward. He clearly says what he likes and what he does not. So, if he wants to do something new, I welcome it. Whatever he does will be good." He further compared Singh's vocal artistry to a painter's brushwork: "Just as an artist's brush moves softly and smoothly while painting with colours, Arijit's songs feel exactly the same."
Singh concluded his announcements by redefining his relationship with his audience: "For me, my fans never existed. You are all my listeners. You all are always my extended family." This statement reflects his desire to move beyond traditional fan-artist dynamics toward a more authentic connection through his future musical explorations.
