Arijit Singh, now a global music sensation, was once on the verge of being fired from his breakthrough film, *Aashiqui 2*, for refusing a music label’s restrictive contract.
The Early Standoff
Director Mohit Suri recently shared a revealing anecdote on Cyrus Broacha’s podcast, recalling the turbulent beginnings of Arijit Singh’s career with *Aashiqui 2*.
Suri recounted a heated confrontation with the head of a major music label. The label insisted that Arijit sign a binding contract, a common industry practice designed to control emerging talent.
At that time, Arijit was not yet famous; the film’s songs, which would later define his early career, had not even been released.
Despite his relative obscurity, Arijit adamantly refused to sign the contract. This defiance led the label to demand his immediate replacement from the project.
Mithoon’s Unwavering Support
Both Mohit Suri and the film’s music director, Mithoon, vehemently opposed the label’s demand. They stood firm, threatening to pull their entire soundtrack from the film if Arijit was removed.
Suri credits Mithoon as the true hero in this high-pressure situation, as he was the one who genuinely put his foot down for the singer.
The director believes Arijit might not even know the full story of how close he came to losing his opportunity, underscoring Mithoon’s crucial intervention.
Even in those early days, both Suri and Mithoon recognized Arijit’s exceptional talent, sensing they were creating something truly special with his voice.
From Standoff to Stardom
*Aashiqui 2*, starring Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, went on to become a massive box office success, largely propelled by its iconic and soulful music.
Arijit Singh’s career skyrocketed after the film’s release, leading him to sing countless chart-topping hits that have become anthems in Hindi cinema.
Today, Arijit commands billions of streams annually. He holds the impressive title of the most followed artist globally on Spotify, surpassing international giants like Taylor Swift and BTS.
The Unbought Voice
Composer-singer Amaal Mallik recently offered further insight into Arijit’s current standing and principles within the music industry.
Mallik revealed that Arijit frequently turns down offers, even those exceeding a whopping Rs 1 crore for a single song.
For Arijit, the priority isn’t financial gain but rather the quality and artistic merit of the work. He is known for rejecting songs if he feels they don’t align with his creative vision or if he has already explored that musical genre extensively.
While this principled stance has, at times, reportedly offended other composers, Arijit remains steadfast in his artistic integrity, unwilling to compromise his values or be “bought” by commercial pressures.
- Arijit Singh nearly lost his *Aashiqui 2* debut for refusing a music label’s binding contract.
- Director Mohit Suri and music director Mithoon fought to keep him on the project, with Mithoon being the key advocate.
- Today, Arijit prioritizes artistic quality over monetary gain, reportedly turning down large sums for songs that don’t resonate with him.
This anecdote truly highlights the unwavering spirit of an artist who, from the very beginning, valued his independence and artistic vision above all else, paving the way for his unparalleled success.
