Composer Salim Merchant reacts to Arijit Singh’s retirement from playback singing: ‘This had to happen and will….’

Fans of celebrated vocalist Arijit Singh are still processing the surprise surrounding his reported decision to step away from playback singing. However, noted composer Salim Merchant recently shared that the development did not come as a shock to him. In his view, the shift reflects a broader trend within the music industry rather than an unexpected move by the singer.

During a conversation with Indo-Asian News Service, Salim explained that he was not taken aback by Arijit’s decision to distance himself from singing for films. He observed that many musicians, including composers, vocalists, and instrumentalists, have slowly been redirecting their creative energies away from mainstream cinema music. According to him, this transformation has been happening gradually for years and was almost inevitable as artists began exploring different avenues within the evolving music landscape.

Salim also spoke about his own journey and how his priorities shifted over time. He revealed that he personally stepped away from composing film soundtracks nearly six years ago. When discussing the final project he worked on for the big screen, he mentioned the film 102 Not Out, which featured veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in prominent roles. That movie marked the last occasion when he created music specifically for a cinematic production.


The composer explained that a turning point in his professional outlook occurred during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The circumstances of that time prompted him to reflect on his artistic goals and personal fulfillment. Eventually, he realised that working on film music no longer brought him the same level of creative satisfaction that it once did earlier in his career.

Growing Preference for Independent Music

Salim further highlighted that a growing number of artists have already begun gravitating toward independent music projects. While several singers and composers may not have formally announced a break from playback singing like Arijit Singh reportedly has, many are quietly exploring non-film platforms and producing their own original work outside the structure of movie soundtracks.

Despite Arijit’s decision to move away from playback singing, Salim remains confident that the singer’s musical journey is far from over. He emphasised that the field of music extends far beyond film songs and offers countless possibilities for creative expression. In his opinion, Arijit will likely continue producing and performing music, even if it is not specifically created for cinema. Instead, the singer may focus more on independent compositions and other musical formats that allow greater artistic freedom.