Indian playback singer Arijit Singh performs before the start of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) match between India and Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on October 14, 2023. (Photo by Punit PARANJPE / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo by PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images)
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JANUARY 27, 2026: Arijit Singh, one of Bollywood’s most dominant voices, stunned India’s entertainment industry by announcing he will no longer accept new playback singing assignments for films. The 38-year-old singer made the announcement via Instagram and his private X account.
“Hello, Happy New Year to all,” Singh wrote. “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 take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey. God has been really kind to me.”
The decision marks the end of an era for Bollywood playback singing. For over a decade, Singh has been the voice behind some of Hindi cinema’s most beloved romantic ballads and emotional anthems. His retirement from film playback doesn’t mean an end to music entirely—he clarified he will continue creating as an independent artist, honor existing commitments, and explore new creative directions outside the traditional Bollywood system. But the announcement still sent shockwaves through an industry that has relied on his voice to anchor countless soundtracks.
The Numbers Are Staggering
Singh’s dominance on streaming platforms is unprecedented for an Indian artist. As of January 2026, he holds 171 million followers on Spotify—31 million more than Taylor Swift (140 million) and 50 million more than Ed Sheeran (121 million). He was crowned Spotify’s most-streamed Indian artist for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024, and in December 2025, he cracked the platform’s Global Top 10 for the first time, landing at number nine worldwide.
His most-streamed track, “Kesariya” from Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, has accumulated over 633 million streams, making it the most-streamed Indian song in Spotify history. Singh commands 50.7 million monthly listeners globally.
In July 2025, Singh became the first artist ever to surpass 150 million Spotify followers, a milestone that cemented his status as the platform’s most-followed musician. The achievement was particularly striking because Spotify only launched in India in February 2019, meaning Singh built this following in just six years.
A Career Built On Emotional Resonance
CHANDIGARH, INDIA – JANUARY 28: Singer Arijit Singh performs during a concert at Exhibition Ground Sector 34 on January 28, 2018 in Chandigarh, India. (Photo by Keshav Singh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
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Singh’s journey began in 2005 when he appeared on the reality show Fame Gurukul at age 18, finishing in sixth place. He caught the attention of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali during the competition, who promised to work with him. Bhansali kept his word, offering Singh the chance to sing “Yoon Shabnami” for Saawariya in 2007, though that version never made the final cut.
His playback debut came in 2011 with “Phir Mohabbat” from Murder 2, but his breakthrough arrived two years later. “Tum Hi Ho” from Aashiqui 2 (2013) became an overnight phenomenon, transforming Singh into a household name. The song earned him nine awards from ten nominations, including his first Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer.
From there, Singh became the defining romantic voice of modern Bollywood. He delivered hit after hit: “Channa Mereya” from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, “Gerua” from Dilwale, “Raabta” from Agent Vinod, “Hawayein” from Jab Harry Met Sejal, and “Kesariya” from Brahmāstra. He sang for every major Bollywood star—from Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan to Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh—and recorded in multiple Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi.
International Collaborations
Singh with Ed Sheeran.
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Singh’s influence extended beyond Bollywood. In 2025, he collaborated with Ed Sheeran on “Sapphire,” a bilingual track that blended English and Hindi lyrics for Sheeran’s Play album. The collaboration began when Sheeran watched Aashiqui 2 and became “spellbound” by Singh’s voice in “Tum Hi Ho.” Sheeran traveled to Singh’s hometown Jiaganj Azimganj in West Bengal—a five-and-a-half-hour drive from Kolkata followed by a river crossing and scooter rides—to complete the song. Sheeran later called Singh “one of the most talented humans I’ve ever met” and said he plays their duet daily for his daughters.
The two had previously shared the stage in September 2024 when Sheeran made a surprise appearance at Singh’s London O2 Arena concert to perform “Perfect” together, creating a landmark cross-cultural moment.
The Awards Keep Coming
Singh’s trophy cabinet reflects his dominance. He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer twice—for “Binte Dil” from Padmaavat (2018) and “Kesariya” from Brahmāstra (2022). At the Filmfare Awards, he won Best Male Playback Singer for five consecutive years from 2016 to 2020, matching Kumar Sanu’s record. In 2025, he won his eighth Filmfare Award for “Sajni” from Laapataa Ladies, equaling Kishore Kumar’s all-time record in the category.
The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in January 2025, recognizing his contributions to Indian music. He’s also collected multiple IIFA Awards, Zee Cine Awards, Screen Awards, and Stardust Awards throughout his career.
In 2025, Singh became the first Indian musician to headline a UK stadium, selling out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London for a September performance that further demonstrated his international appeal.
What Comes Next
Singh’s statement emphasized his plans to continue making music independently. “Just to be clear that I won’t stop making music,” he wrote. “I am a fan of good music, and in the future, I will be learning more and doing more on my own as a small little artist.”
He clarified he will complete his pending film commitments, meaning some previously recorded songs may still release throughout 2026. His most recent playback work includes “Maatrubhumi” from Battle Of Galwan, which surfaced on social media days before his retirement announcement.
Industry observers speculate Singh may focus on independent albums, live concerts, composition, and production, all areas where he’s already demonstrated talent. He’s previously produced music for tracks like “Balam Pichkari” from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and composed for films like Pagglait (2021). Singh runs his own music label, which could give him complete creative and financial control over future releases.
Singh didn’t explain his reasons for leaving playback singing, but his decision comes at the peak of his career, which is a rare move in an industry where most artists continue as long as demand exists. For Bollywood, his departure creates a void that few current singers are positioned to fill. Singh’s ability to convey deep emotion through his voice made him irreplaceable to filmmakers seeking romantic or melancholic soundscapes.
For fans worldwide who’ve followed Singh from “Tum Hi Ho” to “Kesariya,” the announcement feels both surprising and bittersweet. His voice has been the soundtrack to a generation’s romances, heartbreaks, and celebrations. While his playback career may be ending, his music will play on, and as he promises, there’s more to come.