Mumbai, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan has shared his views on singer Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from playback singing, saying the superstar singer was not being offered enough variety in the songs he was receiving.
Sameer made the remarks while appearing on film trade expert Komal Nahta’s podcast, ‘Game Changers: The Music Series’, where he discussed the relationship between the volume of work and monotony in the music industry.
Reflecting on the current state of the industry, Sameer said the lack of variety had affected both established and emerging singers.
“What is happening to the new artists? People gave multiple opportunities to them. We had one Arijit Singh, but he got so exhausted that he left the industry. We keep hearing the same monotonous songs, with constant repetition. Every song sounds the same,” he said.
Arijit announced his retirement from playback singing on January 27, 2026. He said he would no longer accept new playback singing assignments, while clarifying that he would continue to make music.
Explaining his view of Arijit’s decision, Sameer said the singer may have recognised that continuing to perform similar material could eventually lead to monotony.
“Arijit understood that if he continued doing this for longer, he would become monotonous. He wasn’t getting a variety of songs, they were tailored to his singing style. All the new singers after him kept singing in the same style,” he said.
Sameer contrasted the present-day music landscape with the previous generation, pointing to singers such as Udit Narayan and the greater diversity he associated with that period.
“In the previous generation, when we had Udit Narayan and others, there was such variety in music. Nowadays, we don’t have that. That is why every sensible person in this line will eventually leave,” he added.
Sameer Anjaan is among Hindi cinema’s most prolific lyricists and is known for his extensive work during the 1990s. He holds a Guinness World Record for writing the highest number of film songs and has collaborated with several leading composers and singers.
Known particularly for his emotional, romantic and melodious lyrics, Sameer has received several prestigious honours, including Filmfare Awards, for his work in Hindi cinema.
The ‘Game Changers: The Music Series’ episode featuring Sameer Anjaan is available on YouTube.
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