New Delhi: Imagine Bollywood’s soulful voice suddenly going silent in films, only to re-emerge with divine chants. Arijit Singh’s retirement from playback singing has left fans heartbroken, but his latest devotional release is lighting up hopes.
Is this the end of an era or a spiritual new beginning? Dive into the singer’s bold move that’s trending everywhere.
Retirement announcement shocks fans
Arijit Singh, the two-time National Award winner known for hits like Tum Hi Ho and Kesariya, announced his exit from playback singing on January 27, 2026. In an emotional Instagram post, he wrote: “Hello, Happy New Year to all. 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 gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.”
He clarified that he will honour existing commitments, with some songs releasing later this year. However, no new film projects for the 38-year-old singer, who has defined modern Hindi film music with his emotive style.
New devotional single drops
Just weeks later, on February 12, 2026, Arijit surprised everyone with Oh Shiv Mere (also called Shiva Bhajan), his first independent track. This soul-stirring Shiva bhajan marks his shift to personal music projects. Composed by Mandeep Panghal, it features guitars and strokes by Shomu Seal and Swastik Shubham. The chorus includes vocals by Piyush Ranjan, Sakshi Holkar, Sonam Pathak, and Mandeep Panghal.
Unlike his usual peppy Bollywood numbers, this devotional piece explores spiritual themes. Fans welcomed the change, with the track going viral online despite no promotion on Arijit’s social media. Reactions poured in: some expressed shock at his devotional direction, while others celebrated the heartfelt composition.
Fans and industry react
The retirement news sent shockwaves through Bollywood. Arijit’s career, spanning acclaimed soundtracks and massive hits, earned him National Awards for Binte Dil from Padmaavat (2018) and Kesariya from Brahmāstra (2022). Fans called it a “pivotal moment,” reflecting on his lasting influence.
As he evolves independently, Arijit emphasised: he does not “intend to stop making music,” but wants to learn and grow beyond films. This release signals more personal, non-commercial work ahead, keeping his millions of listeners hooked on his next chapter.