Ismail Darbar Applauds Arijit Singh's Strategic Exit from Playback Singing
In a recent development that has stirred the Bollywood music scene, veteran composer Ismail Darbar has publicly commented on playback singer Arijit Singh's decision to retire from film music. Darbar, known for his candid opinions, described Arijit as "brave" and "intelligent," highlighting the singer's shrewd business acumen in navigating the industry's dynamics.
Darbar's Mixed Emotions on Arijit's Retirement
During an interview with Subhojit Ghosh, Darbar was asked about his initial reaction to Arijit Singh's announcement. His response was layered with both regret and admiration. "I only felt bad about the fact that I never got the opportunity to do a song with him," Darbar confessed. He elaborated that he had hoped to collaborate with Arijit to explore new creative avenues, noting that their combined talents could have produced something unique. "He was also just following the same style as his fellow music directors. He is good at what he does, I am good at my work — we would have done something different in a collaboration. That's what I was upset about," Darbar added, expressing his disappointment over the missed opportunity.
Business Sense Behind the Decision
Darbar did not hold back in explaining why Arijit's move makes perfect business sense in today's digital age. He used a vivid analogy to describe the singer's situation with music labels like T-Series. "If he was singing for T-Series, then it's the same thing as cooked food going into the label's stomach instead of Arijit's (the label will profit if he sings for them)," he remarked. Darbar emphasized that Arijit has utilized his "businessman brain" to steer clear of the hegemony of music labels, ensuring that his efforts benefit him directly. "I have to say that Arijit Singh is not an innocent or naive person. He is intelligent. As good as he is as a singer, his decision was also that intelligent. I am happy about that — if he doesn't want to do it, he shouldn't do it," Darbar stated, praising the singer's foresight.
Arijit's Self-Made Stature and Future Prospects
Further underlining Arijit's independence, Darbar pointed out that the singer's success is entirely self-made. "Arijit isn't big because of them (labels) today. He is what he is today because of his own hard work and God's blessings," he said. Despite his admiration, Darbar humorously acknowledged that a collaboration might remain a dream. "If he comes in front of me, I will ask him to do one last song with me. But vo thoda pagal hai, nahi gaayega vo (he won't sing, I know)," he added with a laugh, referencing Arijit's firm stance on his retirement.
Arijit Singh's Personal Message to Fans
Following his retirement announcement on January 27, Arijit Singh reached out to his fans with a deeply personal note on X. He clarified that while he has stopped accepting new assignments, numerous unfinished songs are still scheduled for release. "This message is just for my listeners. Please don't read and swipe right now if you are not my listener, it's a humble request. Hello beautiful people! I just want to tell you all that I love you. Thank you so much for your kindness in this ruthless world," he wrote. Reassuring his audience, Arijit added, "Although I have stopped taking new assignments, the list of pending songs are not less you know. I will have to complete a lot of songs. Don't involve into explaining people, how many times will you? There are so many unfinished songs, they are gonna keep releasing until done. Maybe through this whole year. Maybe it will touch next year too." He concluded with a spiritual appeal, encouraging peace and mindfulness among his followers.
Industry Context and Reactions
This news comes amid broader discussions in Bollywood about artist independence and the influence of music labels. Arijit Singh's decision has sparked conversations about the financial and creative autonomy of playback singers. Notably, music composer Monty Sharma recently revealed that Arijit charges around ₹2 crore per show, underscoring his high market value. Darbar's comments add a respected voice to this dialogue, highlighting the strategic thinking behind such career moves. As the entertainment industry evolves, figures like Arijit Singh are setting precedents for how artists can leverage their success on their own terms.
