“Not Done With Music” : Arijit Singh Retires from Playback Singing at Career Peak

In a move that stunned fans and the Indian film industry alike, acclaimed singer Arijit Singh announced his decision to step away from playback singing, declaring that he will no longer take up new assignments for films. The 38-year-old clarified, however, that he is not retiring from music and will continue to create independently.

The announcement came via a heartfelt note shared on Instagram and later echoed through posts on his private X (formerly Twitter) account.

Arijit Singh’s Retirement Announcement

In his New Year message, Arijit Singh wrote:

“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 take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.”

He also confirmed that he will complete previously committed projects, meaning some film releases featuring his voice may still arrive this year.

Why Did Arijit Singh Quit Playback Singing?

Addressing speculation around his sudden decision, Singh later explained that the move was the result of multiple long-standing reasons, not a single incident.

“One of the reasons is simple — I get bored pretty quickly,” he wrote, adding that the repetitive nature and creative constraints of film music left him restless. “I need to do some other music to live.”

He also expressed excitement about hearing new voices emerge, saying that stepping back could help refresh the industry while giving him creative motivation.

Creative Fatigue and Industry Constraints

After nearly 15 years of nonstop work, Arijit Singh has sung over 800 songs across multiple Indian languages, averaging more than 50 releases a year. Alongside studio recordings, he has maintained a relentless schedule of live performances and international tours.

Playback singing, he noted indirectly, often comes with limitations shaped by film narratives, producers, directors, and market demands — factors that can restrict artistic freedom.

Sources close to the singer say exhaustion, coupled with a desire for creative independence, played a major role in the decision.

Focus Shifts to Independent Music and Indian Classical Roots

Reassuring fans, Singh made it clear that music remains central to his life.

“I am going to go back to Indian classical music. I want to start again,” he said, adding that he plans to continue learning and creating as an independent artist.

He is expected to focus on non-film projects through his independent music label, Oriyon Music, which he launched in 2020 to explore music beyond cinema.

Is Film Direction Arijit Singh’s Next Chapter?

Apart from music, Arijit Singh has shown a consistent interest in filmmaking. He has already directed two Bengali films — Bhalobashar Roznamcha (2015) and Simple Notes (2017) — both shot in his hometown of Murshidabad, West Bengal.

In 2025, producer Mahavir Jain announced a new film to be directed by Singh, further fuelling speculation that his retirement from playback singing may allow him to explore cinema from behind the camera.

A Career That Defined a Generation

Arijit Singh rose to prominence after participating in Fame Gurukul (2005) and made his Bollywood playback debut with Phir Mohabbat (Murder 2, 2011). His breakthrough came with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 (2013), which cemented his place as Bollywood’s most recognisable voice of romance.

His repertoire includes iconic songs such as Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Raabta, Kesariya, Kabira, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. He has recorded in Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, and more.

In July 2025, Singh became the most followed artist globally on Spotify, surpassing international stars with over 150 million followers.

What Lies Ahead

While Arijit Singh’s exit from playback singing marks the end of a defining era in Bollywood music, his journey as a musician is far from over. With plans to pursue independent music, classical training, live performances, and filmmaking, fans can expect a new phase shaped entirely on his own terms.

As Singh himself put it, “I won’t stop making music.”