28 January 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Arijit Singh, the voice behind some of Bollywood’s most iconic songs, once made a surprising and deeply emotional request to Salman Khan — he asked the superstar to let him “retire” with the song he recorded for Sultan and even announced that he would stop playback singing after completing another track titled Matrubhumi for the actor. While the statement stunned many at the time, it also revealed a lesser-known, vulnerable side of the otherwise reserved singer.
A Rarely Told Chapter of Arijit’s Journey
Known for avoiding the spotlight and staying away from controversies, Arijit Singh has always allowed his music to speak for him. However, his equation with Salman Khan has often been discussed in media circles, particularly after reports of misunderstandings between the two once led to a period where Arijit’s songs were allegedly dropped from Salman’s films.
Yet, behind the headlines lies a story that reflects Arijit’s emotional intensity and artistic sensitivity. According to close sources from the music industry, Arijit had once expressed to Salman Khan that the song he recorded for Sultan felt so spiritually fulfilling that he wished to “retire” after it — believing he had given everything he had as an artist.
The ‘Sultan’ Song That Changed Everything
The song in question, which went on to become one of the emotional pillars of Sultan, demanded not just vocal strength but raw emotion. Composers and sound engineers who worked on the track have often shared that Arijit poured an extraordinary amount of feeling into the recording, repeatedly insisting on retakes until he felt the emotion was “honest enough.”
When the song was finally complete, Arijit reportedly told Salman that he felt creatively exhausted in a soulful way — as though he had given a piece of himself to the track. In a heartfelt conversation, he requested the actor to allow him to “retire” with that song, suggesting it felt like the perfect closing chapter to his artistic journey.
The ‘Matrubhumi’ Revelation
Adding to the emotional weight of the moment, Arijit is said to have later announced that after recording Matrubhumi for Salman Khan, he would step away from playback singing altogether. While fans panicked at the thought of losing the voice that defined a generation of romance and heartbreak, those close to Arijit understood that the statement was not about quitting fame but about emotional burnout.
Artists who work intensely, especially those who internalize their work like Arijit does, often experience moments of deep self-doubt and exhaustion. For Arijit, music has never been a commercial product; it has always been personal, spiritual, and deeply connected to his inner world.
Why Arijit Didn’t Actually Retire
Thankfully for millions of fans, Arijit never followed through on his decision to retire. Industry insiders reveal that Salman Khan responded with warmth and encouragement rather than acceptance of the idea. He reportedly reminded Arijit that voices like his are not meant to be silenced prematurely and that the industry and audiences still needed his music.
Over time, Arijit regained his emotional balance and continued recording, eventually delivering chartbusters across genres — from romantic ballads and Sufi melodies to energetic tracks and soulful ghazals.
A Relationship Beyond Headlines
The relationship between Arijit Singh and Salman Khan has often been misunderstood due to occasional controversies. But moments like these show that behind the public narratives lies mutual respect. Arijit’s willingness to open up emotionally to Salman, and Salman’s quiet encouragement, reflect a bond that goes beyond professional collaborations.
Many in the industry believe that both share a similar emotional depth — they simply express it differently. While Salman masks his with humor and stardom, Arijit channels his into music and silence.
Fans React With Emotion
Whenever this story resurfaces, fans flood social media with emotional reactions. For admirers of Arijit, the idea that their favorite singer once considered retiring feels almost heartbreaking. Many say his songs helped them through personal loss, heartbreak, depression, and loneliness — making it impossible to imagine Bollywood music without his voice.
Some fans even describe Arijit as “not just a singer, but a companion through life’s toughest moments.”
The Burden of Being the Voice of a Generation
With unmatched popularity comes immense pressure. Arijit Singh records hundreds of songs every year, travels constantly for concerts, and remains in demand across languages — Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and more. The emotional weight of continuously delivering heartfelt performances can take a toll, especially on an artist as introspective as him.
Music composers who frequently work with Arijit say that he treats every song as a responsibility, not an assignment. That emotional sincerity is also what makes his voice resonate so deeply with audiences.
A Story That Reveals the Man Behind the Voice
This incident, more than anything, reveals the human side of Arijit Singh — a man who feels deeply, doubts himself, gives everything to his art, and still remains humble despite global fame.
It also reinforces why his music feels so authentic. Every note carries lived emotion, every lyric feels personal, and every song feels like a piece of his soul.
Summary
Arijit Singh once emotionally told Salman Khan he wanted to “retire” after recording his song for Sultan and later announced quitting after Matrubhumi, revealing his deep artistic sensitivity and emotional connection to music.