The music industry is reeling from Arijit Singh's recent announcement that he is retiring from playback singing. The celebrated singer shared the news earlier this week, bringing an end to a career marked by soulful melodies and emotional depth that resonated with a generation.
In his announcement, Arijit expressed gratitude to his fans, stating, "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 be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey". The announcement triggered a wave of emotion online, with fans expressing disbelief, heartbreak, and gratitude.
Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt has offered a philosophical perspective on Arijit's decision. Speaking to The Telegraph Online, Bhatt reflected on the nature of artistic journeys, stating, "At the height of their powers, some artists step away — not from art but from noise...They choose silence, solitude, and truth over constant performance". Bhatt believes that the industry often fails to prepare artists for the psychological challenges of fame. "Fame trains you to step into the arc lights, but it does not train you to live inside them," he said. "At the peak of success, the pressure to remain visible, relevant and emotionally available becomes relentless. When applause replaces privacy and identity gets trapped in performance, withdrawal is often an act of survival, not weakness".
Bhatt also recalled his first encounter with Arijit Singh during the making of Aashiqui 2, a film he produced. He recounted the music launch where Arijit sang "Tum Hi Ho," a song that would become a cultural phenomenon. "A shy, self-effacing young man walked up to the dais and sang a song that would quietly mesmerise the world," Bhatt shared. "That moment became a springboard into a life that would never be the same again".
Arijit Singh rose to prominence through the reality show Fame Gurukul and delivered numerous memorable songs, including "Channa Mereya", "Hawayein", "Raabta", "Hamari Adhuri Kahani", "Kesariya", "Satranga", "O Maahi" and "Tu Hai Toh". His recent work includes "Hum To Tere Hi Liye The" from Vishal Bhardwaj's upcoming film O Romeo, and "Ghar Kab Aaoge" from Border 2.
The news of Arijit's retirement has sparked speculation about his next move. Some believe he may pursue a career in politics, while others suggest he will focus on independent music. Shreya Ghoshal has also expressed support for Arijit's decision.
