iWorld
Arijit Singh announces retirement from playback singing
MUMBAI: Arijit Singh, the voice that has defined a decade of Hindi film music, has announced he will no longer take on new playback singing assignments. The decision, revealed in a candid New Year message on social media, marks a dramatic pivot in one of Indian cinema’s most prolific musical careers.
“I am calling it off,” Singh wrote, thanking listeners for years of support while making it clear that this is not a retreat from music itself. Existing commitments will be honoured, he said, with some releases still expected this year. Beyond that, no new film songs.
The move ends an era. Since his breakout with Aashiqui 2, Singh has been near-ubiquitous across Hindi cinema soundtracks, lending his voice to blockbuster films including Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Tamasha, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Airlift. For years, Hindi cinema has struggled to imagine itself without him; now it must.
Singh framed the decision as creative necessity rather than fatigue. He cited boredom with repetition, a desire to explore other musical languages and a pull back towards Indian classical music. “I need to do some other music to live,” he wrote, adding that he wants to learn afresh and create independently as a “small little artist”.
He also hinted at making space for the next generation. The excitement, he said, lies in hearing new voices emerge and finding renewed motivation through them.
The announcement triggered an outpouring from the music fraternity. Amaal Mallik called it the end of an era for film music. Badshah summed it up in three words: “Sadiyon mein ek.” Younger artists urged him to channel his energies into independent work.
Singh insisted the announcement was no emotional tease. He is stepping away from Bollywood playback, not from music. His future lies in his own compositions, released when he feels ready, and in reconnecting with classical traditions that first shaped him.
For an industry long addicted to a single voice, the silence ahead will be deafening. For Arijit Singh, the next act promises something rarer: freedom.
iWorld
MS Dhoni invests in Kuku, joins Kuku TV as brand ambassador
Cricket icon backs AI storytelling platform, fronts Kuku TV campaign
MUMBAI: MS Dhoni has invested in Kuku and joined its short-form drama app Kuku TV as brand ambassador, signalling a high-profile bet on India’s fast-growing AI-led content space.
Kuku, a mobile-first storytelling platform, operates across formats with apps such as Kuku TV for micro-dramas, Kuku FM for audio content and Guru for learning-led entertainment. Founded in 2018, the company has scaled rapidly, crossing 350 million installs and building a catalogue of over 20,000 titles across multiple Indian languages.
Dhoni said his decision to invest and partner with the platform was driven by its distinct approach to storytelling and its strong growth trajectory. MS Dhoni said, “I chose to invest in Kuku, and also come on board as the ambassador for Kuku TV, because the platform really stood out to me. It has built a differentiated entertainment experience for audiences across India, spanning multiple languages and formats. The growth has been impressive, and I connect strongly with the founders, who come from small towns like mine and have built something of this scale. I believe in their vision of building an AI-driven storytelling platform from Bharat, for Bharat, and for the world.”
Founded by Lal Chand Bisu, Vinod Kumar Meena and Vikas Goyal, the platform positions itself at the intersection of technology and storytelling, using AI to create and distribute bite-sized content tailored to mobile audiences.
Sharing his perspective, Kuku co-founder and CEO Lal Chand Bisu said, “MS Dhoni is known for backing bold decisions that others might hesitate to take. At Kuku, we are also taking bold bets. That spirit of unconventional thinking resonates deeply with us.”
Adding to this, Kuku co-founder and COO Vinod Kumar Meena said, “Our beloved Thala is one of the rare personalities with truly nationwide appeal. As we build Kuku for all of India, that connection makes him a natural fit for us.”
Further, Kuku co-founder and CTO Vikas Goyal said, “MSD has a unique understanding of people. As we build for both creators and consumers, that perspective will be incredibly valuable, especially as we continue strengthening our AI-driven storytelling stack.”
Backing the momentum, Panthera Peak Capital managing director Nikhil Bhandarkar said, “Kuku’s vision, execution, and clarity of thought are exceptional, qualities that closely mirror MS Dhoni’s approach. We are excited to partner with the team as they build Kuku into a global entertainment platform.”
To mark the association, Kuku TV has rolled out the campaign Dhoni Watches Kuku TV, anchored by a brand film that plays on Dhoni’s instinctive decision-making. Built around short, engaging stories delivered in minutes, the campaign highlights the platform’s promise of quick, compelling entertainment.
With Dhoni stepping in as both investor and face of the brand, Kuku appears to be doubling down on its ambition to take AI-driven storytelling from India to a global audience, one short story at a time.
