Arijit Singh’s decision to step back from playback singing sent shockwaves across the music industry. While some called it the end of an era, others expressed excitement about what the singer might explore next. In a moment that left fans stunned, Arijit returned to the stage for the first time since his retirement, joining Anoushka Shankar for a special performance.
Arijit Singh’s first live performance after retirement
Arijit was present as a guest performer at sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar’s show at Kolkata’s Netaji Indoor Stadium. A clip shows the crowd hooting and cheering for Arijit as Anoushka invites him on stage. Coming on stage, Arijit, while interacting with the audience, said, “I am very nervous. Thank you for having me.”
Anoushka and Arijit, along with Bickram Ghosh, sang Maya Bhora Raati. The song is a Bengali track originally performed by Lakshmi Shankar, with music composed by the late sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar. Following the performance, Arijit also mentioned visiting Anoushka at her home, where they collaborated on composing a song together.
Probably the first time that one heard #ArijitSingh after his retirement from bollywood playback !
When two legends from Bengal enthralled us in Kolkata
The audience was stunned when #anoushkashankar announced her surprise guest the one and only ARIJIT SINGH !! pic.twitter.com/fyFX7CCRRn
— Suparna (@shupornaa) February 8, 2026
Videos and photographs from the concert quickly circulated online, drawing widespread attention. “I feel so emotional—happy and heartbroken at the same time,” one fan wrote. Another commented, “It feels like listening to him live after ages.”
About Arijit Singh’s retirement
On January 27, Arijit Singh shared on his social media handles that he would not take any new assignments as a playback singer.
“Hello. Happy New Year to all. I want to thank you all for giving me so much love all these years as listeners. I am happy to announce that I am not going to take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. I am calling it quits. It was a wonderful journey,” he wrote in a note on Instagram.
Talking about Arijit Singh, the singer has, over the last decade, gone on to become one of the most influential voices of contemporary Hindi cinema. Over the years, the superstar singer has delivered a string of chart-topping songs across genres, including Channa Mereya, Agar Tum Saath Ho, Gerua, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Kesariya, Phir Le Aaya Dil, Khairiyat and Shayad, among many other hits. Known for keeping a low profile, the singer leads an extremely quiet personal life with his wife, Koel Roy, and their children.
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