New Delhi: Singer-composer Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing on 27 January via a social media post. The 38-year-old singer said that while he will no longer take up new film assignments, he is not stepping away from music altogether, giving fans some hope.
Singh’s sudden announcement left millions of fans heartbroken, including many from within the Hindi film industry. Singer B Praak reacted to Singh’s retirement post on Instagram, expressing his admiration and referring to himself as a “fan for life.”
Singer Kumar Sanu commented that Singh has “guts” to announce retirement from playback singing at “such a young age.”
“I am really sad to hear this because your voice and talent are one in a million. I always loved your voice, and I always admired you as a person. So proud of you as you have the guts to announce this at such a young age. God bless you, and I know you are a huge global star,” he wrote.
Fans of Singh online have already termed the singer’s retirement as the “saddest thing to happen in 2026”.
One fan commented, “This will hurt more than a break-up.”
Another compared the singer to the viral nihilist penguin that mirrors human feelings of exhaustion and the desire to escape.
While several fans requested the ‘Tum Hi Ho’ singer to withdraw the statement, arguing, “Don’t put an entire generation into depression.”
Others still could not come to terms with the fact that Singh’s music will no longer be part of Hindi films. “Bollywood won’t be the same without you,” read a comment.
Also Read: ‘I am calling it off’: Arijit Singh announces retirement from playback singing, fans shocked
Bollywood reacts to Singh’s retirement
Danish Renzu, director of Amazon’s Songs of Paradise (2025), told ThePrint that he was surprised after reading Singh’s post, but for him, it also reflects the current state of the music industry.
“It’s surprising that a singer with such a strong legacy would consider taking a break or retiring this early. But that also reflects how the music industry functions today — constant repetition, formulaic songs, and very little room for genuine creativity,” Renzu said.
He described Singh’s retirement as a “wake-up call” for the industry and fellow musicians, adding that audiences are increasingly fatigued by recycled sounds and rigid industry practices.
“I’m sure he’ll continue to make music independently and explore fresher ideas. It’s time for a change. Maybe this is a wake-up call,” he added.
Musician Digvijay Singh Pariyar, also known as DigV, recalled listening to Singh’s music during his college years. For him, Singh has firmly established a legacy, one he believes stands alongside, if not above, icons like Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar.
“Only a few artists are like Arijit Singh. The range of songs he has sung is very rare. Not everyone has that kind of versatility,” he said.
DigV, who has lent his voice and compositions to projects such as Bandish Bandits season 2 (2024) and comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 (2025), admitted that not collaborating with Singh remains a personal regret. Having met him a few times, DigV shared that “his (Singh’s) world revolves around music.”
“I met him when he was working on the album for the film Paglait (2021). And, to see him in that zone was inspiring for sure. I have composed some songs for films, which I wanted him to sing, but well.. This will always pinch me,” the musician added.
Despite the heartbreak, DigV remains hopeful that this moment signals a new chapter in Singh’s musical journey.
“I am sure we are going to get a variety of songs from him going forward. We will definitely miss him, but in the last 10 years, what he has done is enough for the industry as well as for his legacy. I am very excited to hear his music and know his independent journey as a musician,” he said.
Actor Sheena Chohan told ThePrint that Singh represents everything she believes true art stands for: “authenticity, dedication to craft, and emotional honesty.”
“What moves me most when I listen to him is the empathy in his voice. There is a rare sensitivity there; he doesn’t just sing a song, he makes you feel every word. His music has the ability to reach places in the heart that dialogue sometimes cannot,” she explained.
Singh’s retirement is almost unimaginable for her. But, just like DigV, Chohan is also hopeful that Singh’s musical journey will continue in a way that feels right to him.
“A voice like his is not just talent, it’s an era, a feeling, a companion to millions of lives. Arijit, your voice will forever stir our souls,” the actress said.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)