Superstar playback singer Arijit Singh has announced he is retiring from playback singing in Bollywood films. The singer stated he will no longer accept new assignments as a playback vocalist.
Arijit Singh shared the news via posts on his private X account on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. In his statement, he thanked fans for their support and described his career as a "wonderful journey."
The announcement has sent shockwaves through the Indian music industry. Arijit Singh is one of the most prominent voices in Hindi cinema over the past decade.
The Announcement
Arijit Singh posted: "Hello, Happy new year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much of love all these years as listeners. 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. 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. Thanks again for all your support. I still have some pending commitments will finish them. So you might get some releases this year. Just to be clear, I won’t stop making music."
He made the statement on his private X account, as he does not maintain an official public profile on the platform. Some reports also mentioned shares on Instagram and Facebook.
Reasons Behind the Decision
Arijit Singh cited multiple reasons for stepping away from playback work. He said he had been considering the move for a long time and finally gathered the courage to act.
He explained: "There is not one reason behind this, there are several reasons plus I have been trying to do this since a long time. Finally I have gathered the right courage. One of the reasons were simple, I get bored pretty quick... So here is the thing, I got bored. I need to do some other music to live."
Another factor was his desire to see new talent emerge. He added: "Another reason is I am excited to hear some singer come up and give me real motivation."
The singer denied any intent to mislead fans, responding to one query: "Not at all, I never wanna play with anyone’s emotions."
No health issues or external conflicts were mentioned as factors.
Career Highlights
Arijit Singh rose to fame after participating in the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005. He began his playback career in Bollywood with the song "Raabta" from Agent Vinod in 2012.
His breakthrough came in 2013 with "Tum Hi Ho" from Aashiqui 2, which became a defining romantic anthem and established him as a leading voice in Hindi film music.
Over the years, he delivered numerous chart-topping tracks, including "Channa Mereya" from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, "Agar Tum Saath Ho" from Tamasha, "Gerua" from Dilwale, "Kesariya" from Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, "Phir Le Aaya Dil" from Barfi!, "Khairiyat" from Chhichhore, and "Shayad" from Love Aaj Kal.
Arijit Singh won two National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer: for "Binte Dil" from Padmaavat (2018) and "Kesariya" (2022). He received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in January 2025 for his contributions to music.
His voice featured in major films across genres, and he also sang in Bengali and Assamese cinema and released independent albums.
Fan and Industry Reactions
Fans expressed shock and disbelief on social media. Comments included "Bollywood music is empty without him" and concerns that the account might have been hacked.
Others described the news as the "end of an era" and compared it to major retirements in sports. Some welcomed the potential for new voices to emerge in playback singing.
Industry observers noted his dominance in recent years, with discussions on how the decision might shift opportunities for other singers.
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What Happens Next
Arijit Singh emphasized he will honor existing commitments, with some songs potentially releasing later in 2026.
He plans to return to Indian classical music roots and focus on independent creations. He stated: "I am going to go back to Indian Classical Music. I wanna go back to making music. I wanna start again." He also said: "I will make my own music. Will come up with my music whenever I am ready."
The singer added humorously: "Ab aayega maza!! (Now, there will be fun)."
Impact on Bollywood Music
Arijit Singh's voice defined romance and emotion in Hindi films for over a decade. His retirement from playback marks a major shift in the industry, where he often collaborated with top composers and featured in most mainstream projects.
While he steps away from film playback, his existing catalog—including hits like "Tum Hi Ho" and "Kesariya"—will continue to resonate. The move opens space for emerging talent while he pursues personal artistic exploration.
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