Lalit Pandit Reacts To Arijit Singh’s Playback Exit, Calls Him Irreplaceable

Veteran music director Lalit Pandit has offered high praise for Arijit Singh, calling him a unique and unmatched voice in the Indian music landscape, as the singer steps back from playback singing. The comments come as Arijit’s decision to pause his Bollywood playback career continues to stir conversation across the industry.

Pandit, known for his work on films like Dabangg, reflected on Arijit’s journey from his early days on the reality show Fame Gurukul to becoming one of the most celebrated voices in Hindi cinema. “I have known him since the beginning. He sang his first song for me at Tips,” Pandit said, recalling their long-standing association. He added, “Bass unke jaisa singer aaye toh maza aayega (It would be fun if a singer like him comes),” underscoring his admiration for Arijit’s rare talent.

Pandit went on to describe Arijit as unparalleled among recent singers, emphasising the depth he brings to a song through expression, style, voice quality and technical proficiency. “There is no one else with a depth in singing similar to Arijit. He outshines everyone,” Pandit said, highlighting the singer’s contribution to contemporary music.

Also speaking on the subject, veteran singer Anuradha Paudwal called Arijit’s choice to step away from playback work a “good decision.” Paudwal praised his courage, noting that it takes significant mental strength to make such a move while at the peak of one’s career. She added that Arijit’s decision likely stems from a personal motive rather than a search for fame.

Arijit had announced in January that he would no longer take on new playback singing assignments, sharing his gratitude to fans for their support over the years via a heartfelt message on social media. While he will stop new film singing assignments, the singer has indicated he will continue to make music in other capacities.

Industry peers have also weighed in on Arijit’s decision, with artists like Lucky Ali calling the move brave and emphasising that stepping away from conventional playback work doesn’t equate to abandoning music entirely.