In a moment that has sent waves through the Indian music industry, Arijit Singh released his first independent single, ‘Raina’, today, Saturday, February 28, 2026. The track marks a significant milestone: it is his first professional release since his shocking announcement earlier this year that he would be retiring from Bollywood playback singing to focus on personal artistry.
Composed by the legendary Shekhar Ravjiani, ‘Raina’ (Night) is being hailed as a “soul-stirring masterpiece” that strips away the commercial polish of film music to reveal Arijit’s raw, classical roots.
The Song: ‘Raina’
- The Collaboration: While Arijit has moved away from film soundtracks, his partnership with Shekhar Ravjiani (of Vishal-Shekhar fame) has resulted in a track that combines contemporary production with traditional Indian melodies.
- Musical Style: Unlike his high-pitched Bollywood romantic anthems, ‘Raina’ is a mellow, semi-classical ballad featuring heavy use of the sarod and flute.
- The Lyrics: Written by Priya Saraiya, the lyrics explore themes of solitude, introspection, and the quiet beauty of the night—fitting for an artist who has famously avoided the limelight.
- Independent Release: The song was released under Oriyon Music, Arijit’s own label, signaling his commitment to total creative control over his future work.
The “Retirement” Context
Arijit’s move to independent music follows his January 2026 statement where he expressed “creative exhaustion” with the repetitive nature of commercial playback.
- The Stance: He clarified that while he will no longer record for film actors, he will continue to create music, perform live, and collaborate on independent projects.
- Fan Reaction: Social media has been flooded with the hashtag #ArijitIsBack, with fans celebrating the “purity” of his voice in ‘Raina’ without the constraints of a film script.
Arijit Singh: The Independent Era
| Feature | Bollywood Playback (2011–2025) | Independent Era (2026–) |
| Primary Goal | Supporting a film’s narrative/actor | Personal creative expression |
| Label | Major Film Labels (T-Series, Zee, etc.) | Oriyon Music |
| Genre | Commercial Pop/Romantic/Sad | Classical-Fusion/Experimental |
| Output | 50+ songs a year | Selective, high-quality singles |
What’s Next for Arijit?
Industry insiders suggest that Arijit is planning a “World Unplugged Tour” for late 2026, where he will perform only his independent compositions and reimagined versions of his classics. He is also rumored to be working on a full-length Sufi-inspired album.