Don't Read Between the Lines’: Shaan Reacts to Arijit Singh’s Shock Retirement; Vishal Bhardwaj Calls it ‘Unfair
MUMBAI — The Indian music industry was sent into a state of collective shock this week when Arijit Singh, the undisputed king of playback singing, announced his decision to step away from film music. As fans and industry insiders scramble to understand the motive behind this sudden "sanyaas," noted singer Shaan has stepped forward to urge for patience and restraint.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Shaan advised the public to avoid fueling wild theories and to respect Arijit's personal space during this transition.
Shaan’s Advice: ‘Don't Read Between the Lines’
Ever since the announcement, social media has been rife with speculation, ranging from health concerns to creative burnout. Addressing these rumors, Shaan stated that Arijit will share the thought behind stepping away when he feels the time is correct.
"Today, all over the internet, a lot of people are trying to read between the lines. Everyone is coming up with their own interpretation and theories about why Arijit took this decision," Shaan told IANS. "Just be a little patient, he might just share some day, why he did what he did. Till then, there are other issues to be discussed."
Shaan’s remarks highlight a growing concern within the industry regarding the intense public pressure placed on artists when they choose to pivot in their careers.
The Shock Announcement: ‘I Am Calling It Off’
The whirlwind began with a seemingly standard New Year greeting on Instagram that quickly turned into a career-defining bombshell. Arijit Singh, who has dominated the Bollywood charts for over a decade with hits like Tum Hi Ho and Channa Mereya, took to the photo-sharing app to bid farewell to his playback career.
“Hello, Happy new year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much of love all these years as listeners,” the singer wrote. “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 further expressed his profound gratitude to his admirers for their "unconditional love and support" throughout his meteoric rise from a reality show contestant to India's most streamed artist.
‘Unacceptable’: Vishal Bhardwaj’s Plea for a Return
The industry's reaction has been one of disbelief. Renowned filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj was among the first to publicly challenge the decision. Labeling the retirement as "unfair" to the craft of music, Bhardwaj shared a poignant clip of a recent session they had together.
“Hey Arijit.. Till a few days back while we were jamming on this song (you were shooting the video) I didn’t know that this will be my one of the last film song with you. This is unfair.. #TakeBackYourSanyaas. It’s unacceptable," Bhardwaj wrote on social media.
The filmmaker’s use of the hashtag #TakeBackYourSanyaas has since gone viral, with thousands of fans echoing the sentiment. While Arijit has not yet responded to these pleas, the music world remains on edge, hoping that this "retirement" is merely a temporary hiatus rather than a final curtain call.