January: Arijit Singh, one of Bollywood’s most recognisable and enduring voices of the past decade, has announced his retirement from playback singing, marking the end of a defining chapter in modern Hindi film music.
In a message shared on January 27 through his private X account and a Facebook post, the 38-year-old singer said he will no longer accept new playback assignments in films, though he emphasised that his musical journey is far from over.
“Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you for giving me so much love all these years as listeners,” Singh wrote. “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 follows the release of Maatrubhumi, his latest song for Battle of Galwan, which recently gained attention on social media. Singh does not maintain an official X account; the message was posted from a private handle known to belong to him.
While he did not elaborate on the reasons for his decision, Singh made it clear that he remains passionate about music. “God has been really kind to me. I am a fan of good music and in future will be learning more and do more on my own as a small little artist,” he said. “Just to be clear that I won’t stop making music.”
Singh also noted that he will honour all pending commitments and confirmed that listeners can expect new releases in 2026, but reiterated that he will not sign any new film projects going forward.
Singh rose to nationwide fame with the 2013 hit Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2, a song that established him as the definitive voice of a generation of Bollywood romance. The track’s success led to an array of chartbusters, including Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (title track), Hawayein, Apna Bana Le, Ve Maahi, Sajni, Gehra Hua and Kesariya, among many others.
Over the years, his expressive and emotionally resonant singing style became a staple of Hindi film soundtracks, making him one of the most sought-after playback singers of his era.
Singh’s career has been marked by both popular acclaim and critical recognition. He has won two National Film Awards for Best Male Playback Singer — for Binte Dil from Padmaavat (2018) at the 66th National Film Awards, and for Kesariya from Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2022) at the 70th edition. In January 2025, he was honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for his contribution to Indian music.
Arijit Singh’s decision to step back from film playback singing marks a significant moment in Bollywood music, as fans and the industry alike reflect on a remarkable era defined by his voice.