Arijit Singh sent shockwaves through the music industry and left millions of fans emotional last week when he announced his sudden retirement from playback singing. The singer, whose soulful voice has defined an entire era of Bollywood music, made the announcement on January 27, 2026, bringing an unexpected pause to one of the most celebrated careers in Indian music.
“I am calling it off, it was a wonderful journey,” Arijit wrote in his statement, confirming that he would no longer take on new playback singing assignments. While the announcement was brief, its impact was profound. Fans across the country flooded social media with tributes, disbelief, and gratitude for the songs that had soundtracked their lives for more than a decade.
However, new reports suggest that Arijit’s decision to step away from playback singing may not be driven solely by artistic reasons. According to a report by NDTV, the singer is considering a major shift in his professional life and may be preparing to enter politics. Sources cited by the channel claim that Arijit is exploring the possibility of launching his own political party and could eventually contest elections.
The report clarifies that this political foray is unlikely to be immediate. Arijit is not expected to announce a party or contest during the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Elections. Instead, insiders suggest that the singer may be taking a long-term approach, carefully laying the groundwork before making any formal move into the political arena.
Bengali film industry insiders have hinted that Arijit could begin his political journey at the grassroots level, gradually building his presence and public engagement before aiming for larger roles. According to the report, early groundwork has already begun, with people close to the singer indicating that he has started transitioning his career focus away from mainstream playback singing.
Despite being one of India’s highest-paid and most sought-after singers, Arijit Singh has always maintained a low-profile and deeply personal lifestyle. He continues to live in his hometown of Jiaganj in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, far from the glamour of Mumbai. Known for his quiet demeanour and rare public appearances, Arijit has often been described as an artist who values simplicity and remains deeply connected to his roots.
This connection to his hometown and everyday life has long set Arijit apart from many of his contemporaries. He has frequently spoken about his discomfort with excessive fame and commercial expectations, choosing instead to focus on music as a personal and emotional expression rather than a constant pursuit of visibility.
Arijit’s retirement announcement has naturally triggered mixed emotions among fans and industry colleagues. While many expressed sadness at the end of his playback singing journey, others voiced support for his decision to step back and prioritise his personal and creative well-being. In his statement, the singer clarified that he would complete all pending projects before fully stepping away from playback work.
He also revealed that his focus would now shift toward Indian classical music and independent performances—areas that have always been close to his heart. The move aligns with sentiments Arijit has shared in past interviews, where he openly discussed creative burnout and his unease with the pressures of commercial Bollywood music.
Over the years, Arijit Singh has lent his voice to some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic and emotionally resonant songs. From romantic ballads to heartbreak anthems, his discography includes unforgettable tracks such as Tum Hi Ho, Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Raabta, Kesariya, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Tera Yaar Hoon Main, and Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage. These songs not only dominated charts but also became deeply woven into popular culture.
Arijit was last heard in Ghar Kab Aaoge from the upcoming film Border 2, a song that many fans are now revisiting with renewed emotion in light of his retirement. He was also set to feature in Hum To Tere Hi Liye The, a track from Vishal Bhardwaj’s forthcoming project O Romeo.
As speculation around his political ambitions grows, fans remain divided between hope and uncertainty—hope that Arijit may return to music in some form, and curiosity about what his next chapter might bring. Whether he ultimately chooses politics or remains devoted to music in a more personal capacity, Arijit Singh’s influence on Indian music remains undeniable.
For now, his retirement marks the end of a defining chapter in Bollywood’s musical history—and possibly the beginning of an entirely new journey.