iWorld
Achha Chalta Hoon: How Arijit Singh’s quiet goodbye broke the internet
MUMBAI: The news didn’t come via a grand press conference or a glitzy televised special. In true Arijit fashion, low key and deeply personal, the announcement arrived as a quiet series of social media posts on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.
“I am happy to announce that I am not gonna be taking any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on,” he wrote. “I am calling it off. It was a wonderful journey.”
Just like that, the man who soundtracked every monsoon drive, every first love, and every 2 AM heartbreak for over a decade decided he had sung his last note for the silver screen.
Why now? The search for the small artist
For fans, the timing feels impossible. Arijit is currently at his commercial and critical peak. So, why walk away? The singer was refreshingly candid about his reasons:
• Creative burnout: Arijit admitted that he simply “got bored” with the repetitive nature of playback singing. He confessed to changing song arrangements during live shows just to keep himself interested.
• The small artist dream: He expressed a deep desire to shed the “brand” of being a superstar and return to being a “small little artist.” He wants to go back to his roots, Hindustani Classical Music.
• Courage to change: “Finally, I have gathered the right courage,” he shared. He isn’t quitting music; he’s quitting the industry to rediscover the joy of making music without the pressure of a box office hit.
The Industry in shock: A chorus of tributes
The reaction from legends, peers, and major brands was instantaneous and emotional, reflecting a sense of collective heartbreak across the nation.
MS Dhoni shared a rare, moving tribute, writing: End of an era, but your voice will live forever in our hearts. Thank you for every emotion, every song, every memory. Legend always.
Badshah simply called him “Sadiyon mein ek” (One in centuries).
Amaal Mallik noted that film music would never be the same, comparing the exit to a legend walking into the sunset without asking for a standing ovation.
Shreya Ghoshal supported his move, writing that it was “time to soar higher” and that an artist of his genius cannot be boxed into a set formula.
Even the brands that soundtrack our lives joined the mourning. Saregama posted: When you said “vida karo”, this isn’t what we were expecting. Balaji Wafers added a touch of modern grief, stating: Channa Mereya just got too real, he ate and left no crumbs.
Zepto posted, “Who is cutting onions?”, while JioSaavn noted, “Pal bhar thahre jao just became a little heavier.” YouTube India promised he would “always remain in our playlist.”
Fans have flooded the internet with the lyrics of “Channa Mereya,” the song that has now become the unofficial anthem of his departure.
What’s Next? (The silver lining)
Before you delete your streaming apps in despair, there is a glimmer of hope. Arijit clarified that he isn’t disappearing entirely:
• Pending projects: He will finish his current commitments. Fans can still look forward to his final playback releases throughout 2026, including songs in Vishal Bhardwaj’s O’Romeo and the patriotic track “Maatrubhumi” from Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan.
• Independent music: He plans to release his own music on his own terms. We are likely moving away from “Arijit the Playback Singer” and toward “Arijit the Independent Composer.”
• Classical exploration: He intends to dedicate his time to learning and performing Indian Classical Music, a lifelong passion that the busy schedule of Bollywood rarely allowed him to pursue.
The bottom line
Arijit Singh’s retirement marks the end of an era. He didn’t just sing songs; he curated the feelings of a billion people. By walking away now, he ensures his legacy remains untarnished, leaving us all wanting more, which is perhaps the greatest gift an artist can give.
He may be leaving the playback booth, but as long as it rains and as long as hearts break, his voice will never truly be gone.
e-commerce
Samsung Galaxy S26 series now available for instant delivery on Instamart
AI powered flagship phones start at Rs 87,999 with launch offers up to Rs 9,000.
MUMBAI: In the age of quick commerce, even flagship smartphones are learning to arrive at your doorstep at lightning speed. Instamart has partnered with Samsung to make the newly launched Galaxy S26 series available for instant purchase on the quick commerce platform, expanding the category beyond groceries and daily essentials into premium consumer electronics.
The Galaxy S26 lineup, which includes the S26 Ultra, S26+ and S26, is now available across several major Indian cities including Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Pune, among others.
The flagship series introduces several new features, led by what Samsung describes as the world’s first built in Privacy Display on a smartphone, available exclusively on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The display is designed to enhance privacy while unlocking a new class of screen experiences.
The devices also integrate agentic artificial intelligence designed to quietly manage routine tasks in the background, allowing users to focus on more meaningful interactions with their device.
Positioned as a major step forward in AI powered smartphones, the Galaxy S26 Ultra also introduces enhancements in areas such as nightography photography and Photo Assist tools, aimed at improving low light imaging and AI driven creative editing.
Through the partnership, Instamart is extending its quick commerce proposition to high value electronics, allowing customers to order the Galaxy S26 series and receive it almost instantly once sales go live.
The Galaxy S26 series will be available starting at Rs 87,999. As part of the launch offers on Instamart, customers can avail an instant discount of up to Rs 9,000 using an HDFC Bank credit card. Buyers can also opt for No Cost EMI options for up to 9 months.
The move reflects the growing overlap between quick commerce and consumer electronics, as platforms race to deliver not just groceries but also premium technology products with the same promise of speed and convenience.
