Music composer and filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj has publicly appealed to singer Arijit Singh to reconsider his recent decision to retire from playback singing. The announcement, made on January 27th, has resonated throughout the Indian music and film industry, leaving many in disbelief.
Bhardwaj expressed his shock and disagreement with Singh's choice, deeming it "unfair" and "unacceptable". He shared an emotional video on social media of himself singing a song originally recorded by Singh for their upcoming film 'O Romeo'. Bhardwaj captioned the clip, "Hey Arijit.. Till a few days back while we were jamming on this song (you were shooting the video) I didn't know that this will be my one of the last film song with you. This is unfair.. #TakeBackYourSanyaas. It's unacceptable". The video captures Bhardwaj in a comfortable setting, delivering the song with evident emotion.
Arijit Singh's initial announcement of his retirement from playback singing cited creative boredom and a desire for a shift toward more independent creative pursuits as the primary reasons behind his decision. In his social media post, the singer, considered by many to be the leading vocalist of his generation, described his years in the industry as a "wonderful journey". He has over 700 film credits across various languages. While he is stepping away from playback singing, Arijit affirmed his intention to continue his creative journey in other forms, with speculation of him exploring opportunities as a composer, music producer, or even a film director.
The news of Arijit Singh's retirement has prompted reactions from other prominent figures in the music industry. Veteran singer Udit Narayan welcomed Singh's decision with warmth and respect, highlighting the vast body of work Arijit has created in a relatively short time. Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has also responded with admiration for Arijit's artistic integrity, adding that his decision to step away from playback singing flows from a "higher calling". Shreya Ghoshal framed Arijit's retirement from playback not as the 'end of an era' but as the beginning of a new artistic chapter. Vishal Dadlani also penned an emotional message after Arijit Singh's retirement.
Despite his retirement announcement, Arijit Singh has pending engagements to fulfill, meaning fans can still anticipate new releases in the coming weeks and months. He has sung 'Matribhumi' for the film Battle of Galwan starring Salman Khan. Another track, 'Hum To Tere Hi Liye The', which features in Vishal Bhardwaj's O Romeo, was recently released.
