**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 tragically passed away on Friday in Singapore, was once vocal about his decision to step away from Bollywood. In an interview with POP Pavelopedia earlier this year, he cited the “attitude” prevalent in the Mumbai film industry as a key reason for his move back to Assam.
“I would prefer working from Assam if that were the case,” Garg said. “Mumbai has more attitude, and to get rid of that, I asked them to come here.”
### Career Shift: Why He Stopped Working in Bollywood
Zubeen Garg rose to national fame with the chartbuster *Ya Ali* from the 2006 film *Gangster*. During the early years of his career, he worked in Mumbai and lent his voice to popular songs like *Dilruba* from *Namastey London* and *Dil Tu Hi Bata* from *Krrish 3*. However, he soon decided to return to Assam, choosing to focus largely on regional music and singing very few songs for Bollywood thereafter.
“I will die here [in Assam] like a king,” he once said. “I still have a home in Mumbai, but I don’t like the chaos.”
### Personal Struggles: His Infamous ULFA Threat
Garg also spoke candidly about his confrontation with the militant group, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). He revealed that they once warned him not to sing Hindi or Bengali songs.
“They told me, ‘You can’t sing Hindi or Bengali songs.’ I replied, ‘Who the hell are you? I don’t care.’ Then they threatened to shoot me.”
Displaying remarkable fearlessness, Garg responded, “I said, ‘Okay, you shoot me, and I’ll shoot you.’ 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 threats and challenges, Garg’s unapologetic attitude remained steadfast. When asked if this demeanor 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 Garg Die?
Zubeen Garg passed away at the age of 52 in Singapore on Friday. He was in the city as the Cultural Brand Ambassador for the North East India Festival, organized by the High Commission of India. Reports indicate that he was found unresponsive, floating in the sea without a life jacket.
His last rites will be held in Assam, where he spent much of his life and career.
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Zubeen Garg’s journey reflects a resilient spirit that chose self-respect and regional pride over the glamour and chaos of Bollywood. His legacy continues to inspire many across Assam and beyond.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/zubeen-garg-rejected-mumbai-projects-citing-bollywood-s-attitude/story
