MUMBAI: Arijit Singh, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated voices, announced on Tuesday night that he will retire from playback singing, bringing an end to a career that has shaped Indian film music for more than a decade. The 38-year-old singer clarified that he will continue to create music independently but will no longer take on new film projects.

“It was a wonderful journey,” Singh wrote in a heartfelt social media post. “I won’t stop making music.” He assured fans that he will honor his existing commitments, with new releases expected in 2026.

Singh’s decision marks a turning point for Bollywood, where his voice has become synonymous with emotion and romance on screen. From Shah Rukh Khan to Ranbir Kapoor, leading actors have relied on his songs to elevate their performances. His breakthrough came in 2013 with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2, a track that became a cultural phenomenon and defined the sound of romantic Bollywood music in the 2010s.

Over the years, Singh delivered countless hits including Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Raabta, Gerua, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Kesariya, and Chaleya. His versatility extended beyond Hindi cinema, as he lent his voice to Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Marathi films, collaborating with a wide range of composers.

Singh’s influence has reached far beyond India. In July 2025, he became the most-followed artist on Spotify worldwide, surpassing global icons Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran with more than 150 million followers.

In his statement, Singh expressed a desire to focus on personal artistic growth, free from the demands of film production. “Learning more and doing more on my own as a small little artist,” he wrote, signaling a future dedicated to independent music rather than commercial playback work.

His departure leaves a significant gap in Bollywood’s soundscape, but fans can expect him to continue shaping music in new and independent ways.