**Mumbai’s Attitude: Why Zubeen Garg Moved Away from Bollywood**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Sep 20, 2025, 04:05 pm*
Assamese singer-actor Zubeen Garg, who passed away recently in Singapore, had once openly expressed his reluctance to work in Bollywood due to the industry’s prevailing “attitude.” In an interview earlier this year with POP Pavelopedia, Garg revealed that he preferred working from his home state of Assam rather than dealing with the dynamics of Mumbai. He notably said,
*”Mumbai has more attitude, and to get rid of that, I asked them to come here.”*
### Career Shift: Why He Left Bollywood
Zubeen Garg gained national fame with the hit song *Ya Ali* from the 2006 film *Gangster*. Early in his career, he was active in Mumbai, lending his voice to popular tracks like *Dilruba* from *Namastey London* and *Dil Tu Hi Bata* from *Krrish 3*. However, despite this early exposure, he soon decided to step back and return to Assam, limiting his Bollywood work significantly.
Reflecting on his decision, Garg once said,
*”I will die here [in Assam] like a king. I still have a home in Mumbai, but I don’t like the chaos.”*
### Personal Struggles: The ULFA Threat
Garg also opened up about the challenges he faced from the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), a militant group. He recounted an intense confrontation where ULFA members warned him,
*”You can’t sing Hindi or Bengali songs.”*
His bold response was equally fearless:
*”Who the hell are you? I don’t care.”*
Facing threats of violence, Garg retorted,
*”Okay, you shoot me, and I’ll shoot you.”*
Remarkably, this defiance led to a strange camaraderie, with Garg saying,
*”Now, they say I am like their brother. I live like a mafia here.”*
### Personal Philosophy: “I Don’t Have an Attitude, It’s Self-Respect”
Despite the difficulties, Zubeen Garg stood firm on his principles. His fearless approach earned him respect but also brought challenges. When asked whether his attitude was a burden, he clarified,
*”I don’t have an attitude, it’s self-respect. I live here like a king. I always say, ‘A king should never leave his kingdom because when the king leaves he is no more.'”*
### Tragic End: How Did Zubeen Garg Die?
Zubeen Garg passed away at the age of 52 in Singapore last Friday. At the time, he was attending the North East India Festival as the Cultural Brand Ambassador, an event organized by the High Commission of India.
According to reports, he was found unresponsive, floating in the sea without a life jacket. His untimely death has shocked fans and the music industry alike.
His last rites will be held in Assam, marking the end of an era for the beloved artist who remained true to his roots throughout his life.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/zubeen-garg-rejected-mumbai-projects-citing-bollywood-s-attitude/story
