Arijit Singh Performs in Kolkata After Playback Exit

Arijit Singh Returns to Stage in Kolkata with Anoushka Shankar: A Post-Playback Debut

Arijit Singh has made a surprise return to the stage at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium. His appearance on 8 February 2026 marks the first live performance since his shocking announcement of retiring from playback singing.

Joining sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar and percussionist Bickram Ghosh, Singh swapped Bollywood chart-busters for Indian classical and Bengali folk compositions, signaling a definitive shift in his artistic journey.

A Night of Classical Rebirth in Kolkata

The crowd in Kolkata was very excited for Arijit Singh. His performance, on the other hand, was simple and soulful. He told the audience, "I am very nervous. Thank you for having me," before he began to sing. Arijit performed a famous Bengali song called Maya Bhora Raati, which was originally written by the late Pandit Ravi Shankar.

He also sang a duet called ‘Traces of You’ with Anoushka Shankar. This showed a side of his voice that people rarely hear in movies. Music producer Meghdut Roy Chowdhury watched the show from backstage. He praised Singh’s humble and respectful demeanour.

As reported by The Times of India, Chowdhury remarked: "He wasn't in some bubble of fame. He walked in quietly... and spoke like someone still learning every day. There was not an ounce of ego, just 100% authentic devotion to his craft."

Why did Arijit Singh Quit Playback Singing at His Peak?

The news of Arijit Singh quitting playback singing led to various speculations. However, new details revealed that he wanted to leave the commercial movie business. Singh stated on social media that he was “bored” with movie songs. He felt that film labels did not give him enough creative freedom, as he wished to make music that felt more real to him.

This choice is about his love for art. He wants to escape a system that treats music like a factory product. Experts say he was unhappy with how movie singers are treated.

In a statement picked up by Hindustan Times, Meghdut Roy Chowdhury explained the situation: "He’s not done with music, he’s done with music being a machine. He wants to live it, chase it, shape it on his own terms. Far from quitting—that’s choosing art over algorithm, heart over hustle." This hints at Singh’s shift toward independent projects and classical music.

Arijit Singh’s move changes the perspective on the Indian music industry. Bollywood may now struggle to find a voice to replace him. However, his choice might help other young singers by showing them that they can be successful without relying on movies.