Arijit Singh Controversies Timeline: From Salman Khan Feud to Viral Storms

India’s most-streamed playback singer Arijit Singh has ruled playlists for over a decade with his soulful voice and chart-topping hits. But beyond the music, his career has also seen moments of controversy, viral backlash, and public scrutiny — episodes that occasionally pulled him into headlines for reasons far removed from melody.

The spotlight returned sharply after Singh recently announced that he would stop taking up new playback singing projects, calling it the “end of this chapter.” As fans reacted with shock and emotion, attention turned once again to the turbulent moments that have punctuated his otherwise low-profile public life.

Here is a timeline of major instances when Arijit Singh made national headlines for reasons beyond music.

2013: Cameraman clash outside Behrampore court

Arijit Singh’s first major controversy surfaced in 2013, when he was arrested following an altercation with a news cameraman during a domestic dispute hearing at Behrampore court in West Bengal.

The singer was accused of hitting cameraman Apurba Chowdhury with a helmet. Singh later clarified that he had only struck the camera after repeated requests to stop filming were ignored. He was released on bail the same day. The incident briefly dented his clean public image just as his career was taking off.

2014: Salman Khan feud begins at awards show

The most talked-about controversy of Singh’s career began at the Star Guild Awards 2014, hosted by Salman Khan.

Arijit, appearing tired and dressed casually, was jokingly asked by Salman, “Tu hai winner?” To which Singh replied, “Aap logon ne sula diya.” The remark reportedly offended the superstar.

What followed was years of speculation about a fallout, with industry chatter suggesting Arijit’s songs were dropped from Salman Khan films such as Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan. Though never officially confirmed, the perceived rift became Bollywood folklore.

2016: Public apology to Salman Khan

In a rare move, Arijit Singh issued a public apology on Facebook, addressing Salman Khan directly and expressing regret if his words had caused offence.

The apology went viral, drawing mixed reactions — some praising Singh’s humility, others criticising the need for a public gesture. Years later, in 2025, Salman Khan confirmed on Bigg Boss 19 that the two were “good friends,” signalling closure.

2016: Composer row over voice retuning

That same year, Singh made headlines again after criticising composer Abhijit Vaghani over excessive retuning of his voice in the song Dil Ke Paas from Wajah Tum Ho.

In a now-deleted Facebook post, Singh said he felt “cheated” and couldn’t recognise his own voice, calling the final output embarrassing. The post reignited debate on auto-tune and artistic control in Bollywood playback singing.

2018: Viral microphone meltdown

A concert video from 2018 showed Arijit Singh losing his temper mid-performance while singing Nadaan Parindey from Rockstar.

Frustrated by repeated microphone issues, the singer was heard shouting at the crew, a moment that stunned fans familiar with his soft-spoken persona. The clip went viral, sparking conversations about pressure, live performance stress, and artist expectations.

2025: Security guard controversy in Shantiniketan

In August 2025, Arijit Singh was once again in the news after a local resident filed a complaint alleging obstruction and a scuffle during a video shoot in Shantiniketan.

The complaint named Singh’s security guard, accusing him of blocking a road and causing the loss of a gold ring. The issue was later resolved amicably at the police station, with the complaint withdrawn after an apology.

2026: Playback pause announcement sparks fresh debate

Arijit Singh’s announcement that he would pause new playback singing projects marked a turning point. While he clarified that he would continue making music and performing live, the statement triggered emotional reactions — and revived discussions about the pressures faced by artists in the industry.

From feuds and viral moments to public apologies and introspection, Arijit Singh’s journey shows that even the quietest voices can find themselves at the centre of loud controversies.