Pankaj Tripathi on Arijit quitting playback singing: We are not factory products
Pankaj Tripathi has backed Arijit Singh's decision to quit playback singing, highlighting the vital need for artistic breaks. Emphasising that creators are not "factory products," the actor said that slowing down is essential for personal reinvention and maintaining excitement in a demanding profession.
Actor Pankaj Tripathi expressed his support to singer Arijit Singh over his decision to quit playback singing. He spoke about the importance of taking frequent breaks, "as being an artist is demanding."
Pankaj, while speaking with NDTV, emphasised that slowing down is necessary for an artist to be able to do something new. He said, "You need a break to reinvent yourself. It's important to take frequent breaks or slow down, as being an artist is a demanding job. Only then will an artist be able to do something new. We are not factory products."
"We aren't like those 1,000 copies of matchboxes that a factory produces every day. We are artists, not products...Bahut bhaag-daud hai (There's a lot of running around). Every actor has to struggle and sacrifice a lot to reach where they are today. You should be excited to go on set. And the motivation for that excitement keeps changing again and again," he added.
Earlier, singer-songwriter Lucky Ali also supported Arijit's decision to retire from playback singing. Ali mentioned that he supports the singer as he chose to express himself outside of the constraints imposed by the music industry.
Ali, in an interview with PTI, said, "You've got to go stand in the musician's shoes to understand what he's really feeling. And if he's taken a step to that effect, something must have snapped within him. I totally agree with Arijit when he made the stand. And it's not a loss."
In January 2026, Arijit announced that he will not take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. He thanked all for the support and said he won't stop making music.
The singer's most recent playback release is Maatrubhumi from the film Battle Of Galwan.
Actor Pankaj Tripathi expressed his support to singer Arijit Singh over his decision to quit playback singing. He spoke about the importance of taking frequent breaks, "as being an artist is demanding."
Pankaj, while speaking with NDTV, emphasised that slowing down is necessary for an artist to be able to do something new. He said, "You need a break to reinvent yourself. It's important to take frequent breaks or slow down, as being an artist is a demanding job. Only then will an artist be able to do something new. We are not factory products."
"We aren't like those 1,000 copies of matchboxes that a factory produces every day. We are artists, not products...Bahut bhaag-daud hai (There's a lot of running around). Every actor has to struggle and sacrifice a lot to reach where they are today. You should be excited to go on set. And the motivation for that excitement keeps changing again and again," he added.
Earlier, singer-songwriter Lucky Ali also supported Arijit's decision to retire from playback singing. Ali mentioned that he supports the singer as he chose to express himself outside of the constraints imposed by the music industry.
Ali, in an interview with PTI, said, "You've got to go stand in the musician's shoes to understand what he's really feeling. And if he's taken a step to that effect, something must have snapped within him. I totally agree with Arijit when he made the stand. And it's not a loss."
In January 2026, Arijit announced that he will not take any new assignments as a playback vocalist from now on. He thanked all for the support and said he won't stop making music.
The singer's most recent playback release is Maatrubhumi from the film Battle Of Galwan.