Arijit Singh steps away from playback singing, bringing an era of Bollywood romance to a close

The man who gave Bollywood its vast catalogue of heartbreak anthems and timeless love songs has decided to step away from playback singing.

Arijit Singh, whose voice became inseparable from modern Hindi film romance, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he will no longer take on new assignments as a playback vocalist. The announcement effectively draws the curtain on one of the most influential chapters in the history of Bollywood music. Playback singing, a cornerstone of Indian cinema, involves professional singers lending their voices to actors who lip-sync on screen.

In a heartfelt message to fans, Arijit wrote:

“Hello and happy new year to everyone. I want to thank you for giving me so much love over the years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. It was a wonderful journey.”

For more than a decade, Arijit’s voice shaped the emotional vocabulary of Hindi cinema. Whether it was quiet longing, raw heartbreak, or tender romance, his songs carried an intimacy that resonated deeply with audiences. Tracks such as Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Raabta, and Agar Tum Saath Ho didn’t just dominate charts; they became cultural milestones, soundtracking love stories both on screen and off.

Arijit wasn’t merely a singer for leading men like Ranbir Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapoor; he became the emotional soul behind an entire generation of Bollywood films. His voice conveyed vulnerability in an industry often driven by spectacle, making him the rare artist whose presence could elevate a film’s emotional depth with just a single song.

His journey, however, was not without turbulence. Arijit once made headlines following a very public fallout with Salman Khan after an awards show incident, which reportedly impacted his association with several big-banner films for years. Yet, despite industry politics and shifting musical trends, Arijit’s voice remained unavoidable, cutting through the noise on the strength of merit, consistency, and unwavering audience affection.

What makes his announcement especially striking is its humility. Arijit clarified that while he is stepping away from playback singing, he is not stepping away from music. Instead, he intends to return to learning, exploring, and creating independently.

“God has been kind to me. I am a fan of good music and in the future will keep learning and doing more on my own as a small little artist,” he wrote, thanking fans once again for their continued support.

In an industry increasingly driven by virality, algorithms, and constant reinvention, Arijit Singh’s decision feels deeply personal, less a retreat and more a reclaiming of artistic control. His recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran already hinted at a widening creative horizon beyond Bollywood’s playback system.

While fans have expressed heartbreak over his decision to stop taking on Hindi film projects, many believe that this next chapter, freer, more experimental, and deeply personal, could be just as powerful, if not more.

Bollywood may no longer hear Arijit Singh’s voice echoing through its love stories, but his music and his influence will continue to linger long after the final note fades.