It feels as though the very pulse of Bollywood music has momentarily faltered. On an otherwise ordinary day at the start of the new year, a voice that has lived in our hearts for over a decade chose to step away from the space it so deeply defined. Arijit Singh—the singer who gave melody to love, heartbreak, longing, and healing—announced that he would no longer take on new playback singing assignments. The news arrived quietly, yet its impact was seismic.
The announcement came directly from Arijit himself through a simple, deeply personal note shared on Instagram. Thanking listeners for years of unwavering love, he described his journey as “wonderful” before calmly declaring that he was calling time on playback singing. The restraint of his words stood in stark contrast to the emotional wave they triggered—among fans, collaborators, and an industry that has long leaned on his voice for its most intimate moments.
Subtle hints of this shift had surfaced earlier on his private X account, where Arijit reflected on gratitude, faith, and a desire to continue learning and creating on his own terms. He was careful to address the concern many feared most: this was not a farewell to music. He will continue to make and release his own work and will honour existing commitments—meaning a few final reminders of his voice may still grace cinema screens.
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The industry’s response was immediate and deeply emotional. From disbelief to heartfelt tributes, fellow artistes struggled to articulate what his absence from playback would truly mean. Badshah summed it up in three piercing words: “Sadiyon mein ek” (one in a century). Amaal Mallik wrote, “So lost after hearing this… I don’t get it, but I respect your decision. Grateful to be born in your era.” B Praak simply called himself a “Fan for life,” while Richa Chadha responded with a trail of crying emojis.
Over the past decade, Arijit Singh has established himself as one of the most influential voices in contemporary Hindi cinema. He rose to nationwide fame with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 (2013), a song that redefined romantic ballads for a generation. Since then, his repertoire has included landmark tracks such as Channa Mereya, Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga, Kabira, Gerua, Jaan Nisaar, the Kalank title track, and most recently, Gehra Hua from Dhurandhar.
While Arijit Singh’s decision marks the closing of a defining chapter in film music, his assurance of continued creation offers a measure of comfort. Still, the absence of his voice from playback singing leaves behind a silence that will be deeply felt—by an industry, and by audiences who grew up finding their emotions reflected in his songs.
