On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Arijit Singh, the voice behind countless Bollywood hits, announced his retirement from playback singing, sending shockwaves through the Indian music industry and leaving fans in disbelief. The 38-year-old singer made the announcement via an Instagram post, thanking his listeners for their unwavering support throughout his career and stating that he would no longer be taking on new assignments as a playback vocalist.
Among the first to react to Singh's announcement was fellow singer Shreya Ghoshal, a frequent collaborator on numerous acclaimed Bollywood tracks. Ghoshal responded to Singh's post with an encouraging and heartfelt message, applauding his decision and framing it not as an ending, but as a new beginning for the celebrated artist.
"It's the start of a new phase of @arijitsingh and I am truly excited to hear, listen and experience what this genius churns out!! I can never call this the end of an era," Ghoshal wrote in the comments section of Singh's Instagram post. She further emphasized that Singh's artistic caliber transcends traditional boundaries, stating, "An artist of his calibre can never be defined by the traditional means and medium and be boxed in to fit in the set formula. Time to soar higher, my dear Arijit".
Ghoshal's supportive words echo the sentiments of many in the music industry who view Singh's decision as a bold and potentially transformative step in his artistic journey. While the specific reasons behind Singh's retirement remain undisclosed, speculation within music and film circles suggests that the singer aims to dedicate himself entirely to creating independent music.
Other prominent figures in the music industry have also voiced their support for Singh's decision. Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu lauded Singh as a truly talented global star, while singer Sonam Mohapatra hailed his choice as "brave" and "generous". B Praak reacted to Singh's post by declaring himself a "fan for life". Musician Anoushka Shankar responded with heart emoticons.
Singh's retirement marks a significant moment in the Indian music scene. He began his career in 2010 as an assistant to composer Pritam and quickly rose to prominence as one of the most sought-after playback singers in Bollywood. His soulful voice and emotive renditions have earned him a massive following and numerous accolades. Shreya and Arijit have collaborated on hit songs like "Ve Kamleya", "Bahara Bahara", "Shayad" and "Agar Tum Saath Ho".
While fans may lament the end of Singh's playback singing career, many are also excited about the prospect of him exploring new musical avenues and expressing his artistry on his own terms. As Yashraj Mukhate commented, "I guess we're gonna get some crazy indie music now". YouTube India also commented on the post, saying that Singh's songs will always be on their playlist.
