Instagram Post Declares End to Playback Career On 3 February 2026 Arijit Singh posted “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey” on Instagram, announcing he will no longer pursue playback singing and will honor only existing contracts [1][2]. The 38‑year‑old confirmed the decision via a brief caption without further comment, prompting immediate speculation across social media. Both outlets note the timing coincides with the peak of his commercial success.

Decade‑Long Dominance Evident in Charts and Venues Singh entered Bollywood with “Phir Mohabbat” in 2011 and broke through nationally with “Tum Hi Ho” in 2013, thereafter delivering hits such as “Kabira” and “Sapphire” [1][2]. As of January 2026 he leads global streaming charts with over 171 million monthly Spotify listeners, surpassing Western artists and holding the top‑streamed spot for seven consecutive years [1]. His recent sold‑out performance at London’s Wembley Arena underscores his international appeal [2].

Industry Practices Cited as Primary Motivation In a rare interview Singh criticized the Hindi‑film industry’s formulaic expectations, hierarchical payment structures, and lack of artistic freedom as reasons for his exit [1]. He also referenced a longstanding desire to reduce workload, recalling a 2017 statement that continual releases would “exhaust” audiences [2]. Both sources portray his decision as a response to systemic issues rather than personal burnout.

Independent Studio and International Collaborations Planned Singh has relocated to his hometown of Jiaganj, West Bengal, where he set up a fully equipped studio in a three‑storied house to produce music outside the traditional Bollywood system [1]. He announced plans to collaborate with global artists such as Eric Clapton, Justin Timberlake, Hans Zimmer and Coldplay, building on his recent single “Sapphire” with Ed Sheeran [1]. While he will cease new playback assignments, he will fulfill prior commitments per the BBC report [2].