Vikrant Massey and Arijit Singh: The Surprising Career Breaks in Bollywood

Actor Vikrant Massey and singer Arijit Singh have recently made headlines with their surprising announcements of stepping back from their careers. While both are taking breaks, they remain active in the entertainment industry. Massey is focusing on family life, while Singh is shifting his focus to independent music and directing. This article explores the reasons behind their decisions and the allure of returning to the limelight, featuring insights from industry veterans like Mahesh Bhatt. Read on to find out more about these intriguing career moves in Bollywood.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 23, 2026, 23:25 IST

Unexpected Career Moves in Bollywood

Recently, actor Vikrant Massey and renowned singer Arijit Singh made headlines in the Hindi entertainment sector by announcing their temporary exits from their respective careers.

Despite these announcements, both continue to engage actively in the entertainment field. So, what’s really happening?

Vikrant Massey, known for his role in 12th Fail, shared his decision to take an extended break from acting to focus on his family responsibilities as a husband, father, and son. Nevertheless, he remains visible in various serials and films.

On the other hand, Arijit Singh, the celebrated singer, declared his retirement from new playback singing roles, opting to step back from commercial film projects while dedicating his efforts to independent music and his upcoming directorial ventures.

He is still recording songs, fulfilling commitments made prior to his announcement.

In light of Arijit's decision, prominent music composer Pritam hinted at a potential multi-year hiatus from mainstream Bollywood music to explore new creative avenues.

Aamir Khan disclosed that he nearly retired for good during the COVID-19 pandemic but was persuaded by his family to continue, now balancing his work with selective production choices.

Vinod Khanna famously left the film industry at the height of his career in the late 1980s to join a spiritual movement, only to return to acting years later.

What draws these artists back after announcing a break?

Mahesh Bhatt reflects, "It’s the irresistible lure of the limelight. Once you have tasted it, you can’t stay away. I declared my retirement from directing after Zakhm in 1998. I adhered to my decision, except for one instance when I was tempted to direct my daughter Alia. That was a mistake. Never again."