AR Rahman Praises Arijit Singh as Recklessly Cool Musician Working From Village

Music Composer AR Rahman’s past remarks about Singer Arijit Singh have resurfaced and gone viral following Arijit’s recent announcement that he is stepping away from playback singing. The renewed attention comes amid widespread speculation on social media about the reasons behind Arijit’s decision, with fans revisiting old interviews and industry conversations for clues.

In an earlier interview with the BBC Asian Network, Rahman described Arijit as a “great musician” while also calling him “reckless” in an unconventional, complimentary sense. Rahman explained that Arijit’s approach to work—particularly his choice to operate from his village rather than a major industry hub—set him apart. “He’s a producer; he knows the art of producing… and he is reckless also—like working from his village, which is very cool,” Rahman said.

Reflecting on their collaborations, Rahman named Tum Hi Ho as one of their most memorable works together. The song, which became a cultural phenomenon, featured Arijit Singh alongside Alka Yagnik and was part of Imtiaz Ali’s film Tamasha. The track further cemented Arijit’s position as one of the most influential playback singers of his generation.

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Rahman also spoke more broadly about watching younger artistes grow in the industry, expressing pride in their success. He said that musicians like Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal have helped challenge long-standing stereotypes associated with the profession, noting that their clean public images and dedication to music have made them strong role models for the next generation.

Arijit Singh recently announced via social media that he would not be taking on any new playback singing assignments, calling time on a journey that spanned more than a decade. Known for defining a generation of romantic and emotional film music, Arijit’s extensive catalogue includes chart-toppers such as Tum Hi Ho, Raabta, Kabira, Laal Ishq and Kabhi Jo Baadal Barse, leaving a lasting imprint on contemporary Indian cinema music.

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