Why the timing is right for Arijit Singh to quit playback singing

Let social media have a melt down if it must — Arijit Singh couldn’t have chosen a better time to call it quits as a playback singer. Yes, he was at the peak of his career. Yes, he’s the voice of an entire generation. Yet, despite the thousands crying themselves hoarse over his decision, this is the right moment. 

Since he entered the world of Hindi film music in 2011 with Murder 2’s ‘Phir mohabbat’, Arijit has evolved and proven he is not just a small-town boy with a voice that tugs at the heart-strings, but a thinking musician. His decision only proves he has understood the Hindi film industry’s age-old stereotyping ways that has stifled many creative artistes. 

Arijit, with a voice soaked in melancholy and earthiness, represented love, loss and longing for many youngsters. His hard work and their adoration shaped his success story. However, in recent years, one song began to sound much like another. With similar lines and emotions, ennui would have inevitably set in. To make matters worse, reality shows have been churning out endless Arijit clones, diluting the uniqueness of his artistry. Never one to settle into a comfort zone, Arijit seemed determined to step away before repetition dulled his edge.

Since the moment he posted on Instagram, “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey,” bloggers, vloggers, industry insiders and colleagues have been speculating about the reasons. But,  true to his reclusive nature, Arijit has remained silent, not responding to the flood of posts on his retirement.

“An artiste of his calibre cannt be boxed in to fit in a set formula. Time to soar higher, my dear Arijit,” wrote Shreya Ghoshal commenting on Arijit’s post. Singer and composer Vishal Dadlani’s reflective note read “success doesn’t gurantee peace and contentment.” Director-composer Vishal Bhardwaj urged him to “take back his sanyas”.

At just 38, and with a net worth of over ₹400 crore, Arijit Singh’s announcement sets him apart as truly one of a kind. As of January 2026, he is the most‑followed artiste on Spotify worldwide, with more than 171 million listeners — surpassing even Taylor Swift and holding the top‑streamed position for seven consecutive years. On Instagram too, he commands a following of 13 million, a testament to the quiet power of his voice.

Arijit is the most‑followed artiste on Spotify worldwide, with more than 171 million listeners
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Arijit came to occupy the space once ruled by Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu, who had become symbols of youthful aspiration in the late 1980s and 1990s. Songs such as ‘Papa kehte hain’ (Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak) and ‘Saanson ki zaroorat hai jaise’ (Aashiqui) captured the innocence, romance and dreams of a new generation. Decades later, listeners once again discovered in Arijit a singer who could mirror the evolving emotions of youth, and he made the most of it by making his songs their closest companions.

Arijit has been fortunate in lending his voice to songs whose lyrics carry the whisper of a  bygone era —  be it  ‘Tum hi ho’ from Aashiqui 2, the soulful ‘Phir le aaya dil’ from Barfi! or the folk-tinged ‘Kabira’ from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. 

Composers such as director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Pritam sensed his strength early on and crafted modern melodies wrapped in nostalgia’s warm haze. Sample these: ‘Laal ishq’, ‘Aayat’, ‘Janam Janam’, ‘Gerua’, ‘Agar tum saath ho’, ‘Kesariya’, ‘Tujhe kitna chahne lage’ and ‘O Maahi’.

In the rare interviews he granted, Arijit often spoke of how he sculpted his voice, patiently, bit by bit. He reflected on the unwritten rule of the industry — that to survive, one must keep everyone in good humour. He also spoke about the unfair payment structure that doesn’t honour an artiste’s worth. In doing so, he hinted at the systemic failures of an industry where he had once struggled to find a foothold. He seems to have grown disenchanted over time. Hierarchy and formulaic demands often stand in the way of an artiste’s creative freedom.

So, what lies ahead for the boy who once travelled from Jiaganj in West Bengal to Mumbai with big dreams? In many ways, he has already come full circle — shifting back to his hometown, where he now records and operates from a well‑equipped studio in his modest three‑storied house, tucked into the lane where he grew up.

Born to a Bengali mother and a Sikh father, Arijit’s musical roots run deep in the Hindustani classical tradition and Rabindra Sangeet. He may have stepped away from playback singing, but might never do so from music. His dreams stretch far beyond Bollywood — he has spoken of collaborating with global icons such as Eric Clapton, Justin Timberlake, Hans Zimmer, Robbie Williams, Christina Aguilera and Coldplay. That ambition found expression last year in Sapphire, his popular single with Ed Sheeran, a glimpse of his desire to push boundaries and take on independent projects. And then there are his live shows, always sold out. It is here he has shown that as much as he is the audience’s, he also expects boundaries to be respected. 

Perhaps Arijit’s decision, dramatic as it seems, is part of a larger shift — that playback singing is no longer the sole measure of success, and it is giving way to something more personal, more expansive and far more liberating.

Published – February 03, 2026 12:52 am IST