He is the most followed artiste on Spotify, as of Feb 4, with over 170 million followers globally. Yet, on Jan 28, Arijit Singh announced his retirement as a playback singer, sending shockwaves through his fan base and the Bollywood music industry alike.
“I’m calling it off. It was a wonderful journey,” Arijit said in an Instagram post. To clarify, Spotify India’s most-streamed artiste for seven years in a row is not quitting music entirely. He is simply not taking up film projects anymore, and will focus on more independent pursuits.
As a tribute to his illustrious career, we have selected three hit tunes that each represent a significant milestone in the 38-year-old singer’s artistic journey.
LISTEN: Tum Hi Ho
The track that put Arijit on the map is Tum Hi Ho (translation: “You are the one”) from the 2013 Hindi romantic drama Aashiqui 2. The heartbreak anthem served as the perfect backdrop for Arijit’s soulful vocals, making him synonymous with love, loss, and longing to listeners for years to come.
The lovelorn tune went viral online, catapulting a then relatively unknown Arijit to overnight fame. The accompanying music video on YouTube has over 139 million views to date, with an active comment section after 13 years, demonstrating the song’s enduring popularity.
LISTEN: Gehra Hua
The current track at the top of Spotify’s Top 50 - India playlist is Gehra Hua from the 2025 espionage thriller Dhurandhar. With over 81 million streams, the romantic ballad features a lighter, more ethereal version of Arijit’s usual melancholic vocals. It creates a much-needed contrast to the film’s violent, grittier tone.
The song’s chart success and critical acclaim are largely attributed to Arijit’s performance. His voice exudes a calming effect, conveying the tale of a tender romance between the two lead characters. It also marks the pinnacle of Arijit’s career and his boldness to step back at a time when most would have clung to the spotlight.
LISTEN: Sapphire
It is no secret that Arijit wants to collaborate with international artistes such as German film composer Hans Zimmer and American band Coldplay. Hence, Ed Sheeran’s commercial hit Sapphire, which features uncredited vocals by Arijit, resembles the type of independent projects that the Indian playback singer would like to pursue.
Released in June 2025, the track is noted for its blend of Western pop and Punjabi musical influences. The multilingual duet between Sheeran and Arijit was lauded by critics for its joyous energy and irresistible rhythm. In the music video, the duo ride a scooter through the streets of India and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan appears as a cameo, lip-syncing along to the song’s catchy chorus.
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29 Jan 2026 18:47
