Arijit Singh Turns 39: Suniel Shetty Calls Him 'Absolute Favourite'
Synopsis
As Arijit Singh celebrates his 39th birthday, Suniel Shetty crowned him his absolute favourite and Jackky Bhagnani called Suno Na Sangemarmar a timeless memory. The tributes arrive even as Arijit navigates a self-declared retirement from new Bollywood assignments, marking a milestone moment for Indian music.
Key Takeaways
Arijit Singh celebrated his 39th birthday on April 25, 2025 , receiving warm wishes from across the Bollywood industry.
Actor Suniel Shetty called Arijit his absolute favourite on X formerly Twitter , praising his voice for touching hearts.
Producer Jackky Bhagnani celebrated Suno Na Sangemarmar from the 2014 film Youngistaan , calling it a timeless generational memory.
Arijit Singh announced retirement from new Bollywood assignments on January 27, 2026 , but clarified in February 2026 that a backlog of unreleased songs would continue to surface.
Arijit made his Bollywood debut with Phir Mohabbat composed by Mithoon for Murder 2 , recorded in 2009 and released in 2011 .
His creative partnership with composer Pritam across four films helped define the sound of romantic Bollywood music in the 2010s .
Mumbai, April 25: Celebrated Bollywood playback singer Arijit Singh marked his 39th birthday on Saturday to an outpouring of warm wishes from the film industry, with actor Suniel Shetty calling him his absolute favourite and producer Jackky Bhagnani crediting him for creating a song that became a generational memory. The birthday tributes underline Arijit's towering stature in Indian music, even as the singer navigates a self-declared retirement from new Bollywood assignments.
Suniel Shetty's Heartfelt Tribute
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), veteran actor Suniel Shetty penned an emotional birthday note for the singer known for soulful hits including Raabta, Yaariyan, Phir Le Aya Dil, and Dilliwaali Girlfriend.
Suniel wrote: Happy birthday to the voice that never fails to touch the heart. My absolute favourite, Arijit Singh. Stay blessed and keep creating magic.
The tribute from an actor of Suniel Shetty's stature speaks volumes about how deeply Arijit Singh's voice has resonated across generations of Indian cinema audiences, from action blockbusters to intimate romantic dramas.
Jackky Bhagnani Celebrates Suno Na Sangemarmar
Producer Jackky Bhagnani took the opportunity to celebrate one of Arijit Singh's most beloved tracks, Suno Na Sangemarmar from the 2014 film Youngistaan, calling it not just a song but a memory for so many.
Jackky wrote: Happy Birthday, Arijit Singh. Suno na sangemarmar is not just a song, it's a memory for so many of us. Thank you for creating something so timeless. Wishing you happiness and continued magic always!
Youngistaan, a romance-political film, also starred Neha Sharma and the late Farooq Sheikh, who passed away on December 28, 2013. The film marked Farooq Sheikh's posthumous screen appearance, making it a deeply significant project in Indian cinema history.
Arijit Singh's Journey From Debut to Bollywood Icon
Arijit Singh made his Bollywood debut with Phir Mohabbat, a composition by Mithoon for the film Murder 2. The song was recorded in 2009 and released in 2011, marking the beginning of a career that would redefine romantic music in Hindi cinema.
He subsequently forged a landmark creative partnership with music composer Pritam, collaborating on four films that produced some of the most-streamed tracks in Indian music history. His voice became synonymous with emotional depth in Bollywood soundtracks throughout the 2010s.
Over the years, Arijit has lent his voice to hundreds of films, earning multiple Filmfare Awards and becoming one of the most-streamed artists on global platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music.
Arijit Singh's Retirement Announcement and Clarification
In a surprising move, Arijit Singh announced his retirement from Bollywood playback singing on January 27, 2026, via an Instagram post, sending shockwaves through the Indian music industry.
However, in February 2026, he issued a clarification addressing the continued release of songs bearing his voice after the retirement announcement. He explained to his fans: Although I have stopped taking new assignments, the list of pending songs are not less you know. I will have to complete a lot of songs.
He further noted that unreleased recordings could continue to surface: There are so many unfinished songs, they are gonna keep releasing until they are done. Maybe through this whole year, maybe it will touch next year too.
The singer's message also carried a deeply personal, philosophical tone, urging his listeners to be peaceful and step away from social media toxicity, a reflection of the immense pressure that top artists in India's hyper-competitive music industry often endure silently.
Why Arijit Singh's Legacy Matters Beyond Bollywood
Arijit Singh's retirement, even if from new projects only, marks a pivotal moment for Indian playback singing. His career spanned an era when digital streaming transformed music consumption in India, and his voice became the emotional soundtrack for an entire generation.
Notably, his decision to step back from new assignments comes at a time when the debate around artist well-being, mental health, and the relentless commercial demands of the Bollywood music machine is growing louder. His candid social media messages have sparked conversations about the unsustainable pace at which the industry operates.
As Arijit Singh turns 39, fans and industry insiders alike will watch closely whether his retirement holds or whether the pull of music proves too strong to resist permanently.
Point of View
But they also underscore a contradiction: the same system that celebrates Arijit today is the one he is trying to disengage from. His philosophical farewell messages point to a growing mental health reckoning in Indian entertainment that the mainstream narrative continues to underplay.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Suniel Shetty wish Arijit Singh on his birthday?
Suniel Shetty took to X formerly Twitter to wish Arijit Singh on his 39th birthday, calling him his absolute favourite and praising his voice for never failing to touch the heart. The tribute highlights the deep admiration Arijit commands across Bollywood's acting and music fraternity.
What is the song Suno Na Sangemarmar and why is it significant?
Suno Na Sangemarmar is a romantic track sung by Arijit Singh from the 2014 film Youngistaan, which starred Jackky Bhagnani, Neha Sharma, and the late Farooq Sheikh. Producer Jackky Bhagnani called it not just a song but a memory on Arijit's birthday, cementing its status as a fan favourite.
Has Arijit Singh retired from Bollywood playback singing?
Arijit Singh announced his retirement from new Bollywood playback singing assignments on January 27, 2026, via Instagram. However, he clarified in February 2026 that a large backlog of pre-recorded songs would continue to release, possibly through 2026 and into 2027.
What was Arijit Singh's Bollywood debut song?
Arijit Singh made his Bollywood debut with Phir Mohabbat, composed by Mithoon for the film Murder 2. The song was recorded in 2009 and officially released in 2011, launching one of the most celebrated careers in Indian playback singing history.
How old is Arijit Singh in 2025?
Arijit Singh turned 39 years old on April 25, 2025. Born in 1987, he has spent over a decade as one of Bollywood's most prolific and beloved playback singers.
