Shreya Ghoshal, Sona Mohapatra, Others React To Arijit Singh Retiring From Playback Singing
Sona Mohapatra, Shreya Ghoshal and Shilpa Rao backed Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from playback singing, calling it a brave move that will create space for creative freedom.
Several prominent singers including Shreya Ghoshal, Shilpa Rao and Sona Mohapatra, have shared their thoughts after Arijit Singh announced his decision to step away from playback singing. While fans across the country continue to react emotionally to the news, fellow artistes have largely viewed the move as a powerful act of creative freedom rather than a farewell. Taking to Instagram, Sona Mohapatra penned a detailed note questioning why Arijit’s decision is being treated “like an obituary,” stressing that the singer is “making music, not disappearing.”
She emphasised that his choice could open doors for newer voices in the industry. According to her, Arijit’s move marks “less an exit and more an arrival into freedom, authorship and possibility,” adding that his reasons are deeply personal and entirely valid.
Sona further noted that none of Arijit’s predecessors had imagined such a path – one where an established voice willingly steps aside to explore personal creativity and make space for others. She pointed out how the industry often relies on zero-risk formulas, with producers overusing a single voice, underpaying or not paying demo singers at all, exhausting music directors by testing multiple voices, and eventually returning to the same familiar choice. “Not because it’s right, but because it’s convenient,” she wrote, calling the system exploitative.
Calling Arijit’s decision “brave, generous and disruptive in the best way,” Sona applauded him for choosing freedom over fear. She questioned why the industry seems terrified of more flavours, more voices and more imagination, likening the situation to settling for “just one flavour of ice cream in a store.”
Concluding her note, she celebrated artists who choose autonomy, saying that is how new creative eras begin. She captioned her post with a message of love for Arijit and India, reflecting on her own journey of releasing independent music year after year – fulfilling, exhausting and exhilarating.
Shreya Ghoshal also reacted to Arijit Singh’s announcement on Instagram. After Arijit shared a note thanking listeners for their love while confirming his decision to not take up new playback assignments, Shreya – who has collaborated with him on several hit songs – commented that this was not the end of an era, but the beginning of a new phase.
“It’s the start of a new phase of @arijitsingh and I am truly excited to hear, listen and experience what this genius churns out!! I can never call this the end of an era. An artist of his calibre can never be defined by the traditional means and medium and be boxed in to fit in the set formula. Time to soar higher my dear Arijit,” she wrote.
Shilpa Rao echoed similar sentiments, writing, “@arijitsingh whatever you do you always do it with all your heart. My love and bests with everything you do.”
Arijit Singh recently announced his retirement from playback singing via a note on Instagram, where he thanked fans for their unwavering support over the years. “Hello, Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much of 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 wrote, leaving fans stunned.
Prior to this, Arijit had shared his thoughts through a series of tweets on his private X account, Atmojoarjalojo, expressing gratitude for his journey and stating that he intends to continue learning and creating music on his own terms as an independent artist. He later clarified that he is not quitting music altogether, and also mentioned that he will complete some pending commitments, with a few releases expected this year.
Apart from being a playback singer, Arijit is also a composer, music producer and instrumentalist. He began his career on the reality show ‘Fame Gurukul’ in 2005 and made his Hindi film playback debut with ‘Phir Mohabbat’ from ‘Murder 2’ in 2011.
He rose to superstardom with ‘Tum Hi Ho’ from ‘Aashiqui 2’ in 2013 and has since delivered a string of iconic hits including ‘Channa Mereya’, ‘Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga’, ‘Kabira’, ‘Gerua’, ‘Jaan Nisaar’, ‘Binte Dil’ and ‘Kesariya’. His contribution to Indian music has earned him multiple accolades, including two National Film Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2025.
