Indian playback singer Shaan has revealed that he once considered stepping away from singing, drawing a parallel between his own experience and Arijit Singh’s recent decision to distance himself from playback work.

Arijit’s decision had sparked considerable discussion among listeners and on social media, with many wondering whether the hugely popular singer was preparing to take a prolonged break from playback singing. Shaan, whose real name is Shantanu Mukherjee, believes the situation should not necessarily be interpreted as a complete departure from music.

In a recent interview, Shaan said Arijit has not stopped singing altogether and suggested that audiences are likely to hear more of his work in the coming years.

“It is not that he has completely stopped singing. He is still singing, and I think he will do a lot more playback work in the future. The situation is not that extreme,” Shaan said.

Shaan also cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions about Arijit’s reasons for taking such a decision. According to him, only Arijit himself can explain what prompted the move. He pointed out that several songs already recorded by Arijit have yet to be released, meaning listeners can still expect a substantial body of new music from the singer.

Shaan suggested that Arijit’s present position could also change with time. A decision made at one point in a musician’s career, he noted, does not necessarily have to remain permanent.

“Who knows, perhaps he will change his decision,” Shaan said, stressing that such a choice is not something fixed beyond reconsideration.

The discussion also prompted Shaan to revisit a turning point in his own career. He recalled that when he was around 33 or 34, he went through a remarkably similar phase. By then, he had already established himself as one of the recognisable voices in Indian popular music, having performed songs across different styles and received several major awards.

Yet professional success did not entirely resolve his sense of restlessness. Shaan said he had begun thinking about doing more meaningful work beyond his regular commitments in the music industry. He was particularly interested in becoming involved in social welfare activities and contributing to society in a different way.

The difficulty, however, was finding the time.

Despite having achieved considerable success, Shaan felt increasingly constrained by the demands of his profession. Recording sessions, performances and other commitments kept him occupied, leaving little room for the social work he wanted to pursue. At one stage, he felt that he was simply moving around within the same cycle of professional obligations.

That experience has shaped the way he views Arijit’s current decision. For Shaan, stepping back from a particular aspect of a successful career does not necessarily mean abandoning music altogether. Artists can reach moments when they reassess their priorities, seek a different balance in life or simply want to explore another direction.

Shaan remains one of the familiar voices associated with Indian popular music from the 1990s and 2000s. Known for his smooth and melodic singing style, he has delivered several widely remembered songs, including ‘Chand Sifarish’, ‘Hey Shona’, ‘Jab Se Tere Naina’ and ‘Behti Hawa Sa Tha Woh’.

His comments therefore offer a perspective shaped not only by his long experience in the industry but also by having personally faced the uncertainty that can accompany success. While the reasons behind Arijit’s decision remain his own, Shaan believes there is little reason to assume that the singer’s relationship with playback music has ended permanently. For now, audiences can still look forward to hearing his recorded songs as they continue to be released.