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Arijit Singh’s controversial moments as he retires from playback singing

Updated On: 28 January, 2026 03:30 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Arjit Singh has made headlines after he announced his retirement from playback singing on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Interestingly, this is not the first time, the singer has made news. He has, on multiple occasions, found himself at the centre of controversies and social media chatter. Here`a a list of all time Arijit Singh grabbed headines for reasons both good and bad.

Arjit Singh has made headlines after he announced his retirement from playback singing on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Interestingly, this is not the first time, the singer has made news. He has, on multiple occasions, found himself at the centre of controversies and social media chatter. Here`a a list of all time Arijit Singh grabbed headines for reasons both good and bad.

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Arjit Singh has made headlines after he announced his retirement from playback singing on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Interestingly, this is not the first time, the singer has made news. He has, on multiple occasions, found himself at the centre of controversies and social media chatter. Here`a a list of all time Arijit Singh grabbed headines for reasons both good and bad.
<p><strong>Clash with cameraman</strong></p>
<p>Arijit was arrested over allegedly assaulting a news cameraman, Apurba Chowdhury, with his helmet in 2013. It happened during a hearing for his divorce case with his first wife.</p>

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Clash with cameraman

Arijit was arrested over allegedly assaulting a news cameraman, Apurba Chowdhury, with his helmet in 2013. It happened during a hearing for his divorce case with his first wife.

<p><strong>Pasoori remake</strong></p>
<p>Arijit faced heavy criticism for agreeing to sing the remake of the iconic Pakistani song Pasoori for the film Satyaprem Ki Katha. The singer defended his choice saying the makers promised to fund a school for underprivileged children in exchange for the song.</p>

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Pasoori remake

Arijit faced heavy criticism for agreeing to sing the remake of the iconic Pakistani song Pasoori for the film Satyaprem Ki Katha. The singer defended his choice saying the makers promised to fund a school for underprivileged children in exchange for the song.

<p><strong>Refused to sing protest song</strong></p>
<p>In 2024, Arijit released a protest song Aar Kobe in relation with the RG Kar rape case. Later during a UK tour, a fan requested him to sing the protest song. Irritated, Arijit said, "This is not the place... If you really feel about it, go to Kolkata".&nbsp;</p>

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Refused to sing protest song

In 2024, Arijit released a protest song Aar Kobe in relation with the RG Kar rape case. Later during a UK tour, a fan requested him to sing the protest song. Irritated, Arijit said, "This is not the place... If you really feel about it, go to Kolkata". 

<p><strong>Called out auto-tuning of his song</strong></p>
<p>In 2026, Arijit lashed out at composer Abhijit Vaghani for excessively auto-tuning his voice in a remake of Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, stating he was "ashamed" of the rendition and felt "cheated" by the final mix.</p>

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Called out auto-tuning of his song

In 2026, Arijit lashed out at composer Abhijit Vaghani for excessively auto-tuning his voice in a remake of Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas, stating he was "ashamed" of the rendition and felt "cheated" by the final mix.

<p><strong>Feud with Salman Khan</strong></p>
<p>Arijit Singh`s rift with Salman Khan is one of the most infamous ones in the industry. It started in 2014, when Arijit showed up dressed in casuals and chappals to receive his award. Salman said, "Tu hai winner (you`re the winner)?" and joked about him sleeping. Arijit replied: "Aap logon ne sula diya (You people put me to sleep)," which offended Salman.</p>

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Feud with Salman Khan

Arijit Singh`s rift with Salman Khan is one of the most infamous ones in the industry. It started in 2014, when Arijit showed up dressed in casuals and chappals to receive his award. Salman said, "Tu hai winner (you`re the winner)?" and joked about him sleeping. Arijit replied: "Aap logon ne sula diya (You people put me to sleep)," which offended Salman.

<p><strong>Personality rights lawsuit</strong></p>
<p>In 2024, Arijit sued several entities for using AI voice cloning tools, selling unauthorised merchandise, and creating GIFs of his performances for commercial gain without consent.</p>

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Personality rights lawsuit

In 2024, Arijit sued several entities for using AI voice cloning tools, selling unauthorised merchandise, and creating GIFs of his performances for commercial gain without consent.

<p><strong>Harassment allegations</strong></p>
<p>In August 2025, a complaint was filed against Arijit Singh and his security guard for blocking a road and scuffling with local resident Kamal Kant Laha, who lost a gold ring in Shantiniketan.</p>

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Harassment allegations

In August 2025, a complaint was filed against Arijit Singh and his security guard for blocking a road and scuffling with local resident Kamal Kant Laha, who lost a gold ring in Shantiniketan.

<p><strong>Gerua song controversy</strong></p>
<p>In 2022, Arijit sang the song Gerua at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Following the incident, his upcoming concert at Eco Park was cancelled. The BJP claimed the move was a political retaliation, while the West Bengal government said it was due to conflicts with G20 events.</p>

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Gerua song controversy

In 2022, Arijit sang the song Gerua at the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Following the incident, his upcoming concert at Eco Park was cancelled. The BJP claimed the move was a political retaliation, while the West Bengal government said it was due to conflicts with G20 events.

<p><strong>Microphone woes</strong></p>
<p>During a 2018 concert, Arijit lost his cool mid-performance. Irritated by a faulty mic, he reportedly shouted, "Somebody f**king fix this mic." Videos of the incident went viral sparking mixed reactions.</p>

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Microphone woes

During a 2018 concert, Arijit lost his cool mid-performance. Irritated by a faulty mic, he reportedly shouted, "Somebody f**king fix this mic." Videos of the incident went viral sparking mixed reactions.

<p><strong>Injury during concert</strong></p>
<p>During a live show in 2023, an excited fan pulled Arijit&rsquo;s hand, which caused a minor injury to the singer. He briefly paused the concert and calmly handled the situation, saying, "If I am not able to perform, you are not able to have fun, that&rsquo;s as simple as that".</p>

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Injury during concert

During a live show in 2023, an excited fan pulled Arijit’s hand, which caused a minor injury to the singer. He briefly paused the concert and calmly handled the situation, saying, "If I am not able to perform, you are not able to have fun, that’s as simple as that".

<p><strong>Nail trimming on stage</strong></p>
<p>In 2024, a video went viral showing Arijit trimming his nails during a Dubai concert. The act left the internet divided.&nbsp;</p>

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Nail trimming on stage

In 2024, a video went viral showing Arijit trimming his nails during a Dubai concert. The act left the internet divided. 

<p><strong>Retirement</strong></p>
<p>Arijit shocked everyone by announcing his decision to step away from playback singing. He cited boredom with repetitive arrangements and a desire for creative freedom over commercial success as the reason.</p>

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Retirement

Arijit shocked everyone by announcing his decision to step away from playback singing. He cited boredom with repetitive arrangements and a desire for creative freedom over commercial success as the reason.

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