Salim Merchant Reacts to Arijit Singh's Playback Retirement: A Predictable Move
Synopsis
In a recent discussion, acclaimed composer Salim Merchant voiced his thoughts on Arijit Singh's retirement from playback singing. He shared insights on the shifting focus in the music industry and expressed confidence in Arijit's future musical endeavors.
Key Takeaways
Salim Merchant is not surprised by Arijit Singh's retirement from playback singing.
Many in the music industry are shifting towards independent music .
Salim has not composed for films in the last six years.
The last film he worked on was '102 Not Out' .
Salim remains optimistic about Arijit's future musical projects.
Mumbai, March 13 (NationPress) Renowned composer Salim Merchant shared his thoughts on the announcement made by acclaimed singer and composer Arijit Singh regarding his retirement from playback singing.
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Salim expressed that he is not shocked by Arijit's choice, noting that many composers, singers, and other professionals in the music industry have been pivoting away from film music.
He mentioned that for the past six years, he has refrained from composing for films, realizing during the COVID pandemic that film music was no longer bringing him joy.
When asked about Arijit's declaration to cease work as a playback singer, Salim stated to IANS, "I am not surprised at all. This was inevitable, and it will eventually happen to everyone. I too have stepped back from film music nearly six years ago. The last film for which I composed was '102 Not Out', featuring Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan."
He pointed out that while the focus has shifted more towards independent music, none of the other composers or singers have made an official announcement like Arijit's about withdrawing from film music.
Nonetheless, Salim expressed his assurance that Arijit will still produce incredible music in the future.
"Music is an expansive field, with playback being just a small segment, so I believe there is nothing wrong with this decision. I am confident that Arijit will continue to create a lot of music, perhaps not for films, but certainly in the realm of independent music," he added.
He further highlighted that despite the greatness of film music, there is a noticeable lack of music-centric films being produced at this time.
Point of View
I perceive Salim Merchant's comments as a reflection of the evolving music landscape. With artists increasingly gravitating towards independent music, Arijit Singh's decision to retire from playback signals a notable shift. This trend raises questions about the future of film music and its relevance in today's dynamic musical environment.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Arijit Singh announce his retirement from playback singing?
Arijit Singh's retirement from playback singing reflects a broader trend in the music industry where many artists are shifting their focus to independent music.
How long has Salim Merchant not composed for films?
Salim Merchant has not composed for films in the last six years, realizing during the COVID pandemic that film music wasn't fulfilling his creative needs.
What was the last film Salim Merchant worked on?
The last film Salim Merchant composed music for was '102 Not Out', which starred Rishi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.
Does Salim believe Arijit will continue to create music?
Yes, Salim Merchant expressed confidence that Arijit Singh will continue to produce outstanding music, likely in the independent music sphere.
What does Salim Merchant think about the current state of film music?
Salim Merchant noted that while film music is significant, there is a current decline in the production of music-based films.
