Adding fuel to the conversation, Indian Idol Season 1 winner Abhijeet Sawant has openly spoken about what he describes as the systematic exploitation of playback singers in India’s film music ecosystem.
“Singers Get Exploited a Lot,” Says Abhijeet Sawant
In a recent interview, Abhijeet Sawant did not mince his words while describing the financial realities faced by singers in Bollywood. According to him, most playback singers are paid a one-time fee per song, regardless of how successful or long-lasting the track becomes.“Singers get exploited a lot. We don’t even get enough money,” Sawant said, pointing out that voices behind iconic film songs rarely benefit from the revenue those songs generate over time.
He explained that once a song is recorded, singers typically lose control over its future earnings whether it’s played in cinemas, streamed online, or used in promotions. For many artists, refusing unfair terms isn’t an option, as doing so could mean losing work altogether.
No Royalties, No Long-Term Security
One of the biggest issues highlighted by Sawant is the lack of royalty income for playback singers in Bollywood. While composers and music labels often continue earning from songs for years, singers usually receive nothing beyond their initial payment.This system, Sawant believes, is intentionally designed to ensure singers don’t gain too much influence within the industry. “The structure is such that singers don’t become bigger than the film or the producers,” he remarked.
The problem becomes more glaring in the age of digital streaming, where songs enjoy repeated plays across platforms but the voices behind them see no additional financial benefit.
Bollywood vs the West: A Stark Contrast
To underline the disparity, Sawant compared Bollywood’s music economy with international markets. He cited examples where composers and artists in the West earn substantial monthly royalties, sometimes running into lakhs, from just a handful of songs.In contrast, even singers who lend their voices to blockbuster Bollywood hits often struggle to maintain financial stability unless they perform live concerts regularly or diversify their careers.
This growing imbalance has become more visible after Arijit Singh’s reported decision to step away from playback singing - a move many see as a statement against restrictive industry practices.
Arijit Singh’s Exit Sparks Wider Industry Debate
Arijit Singh’s contribution to Hindi cinema is undeniable. With countless chart-topping songs and an unmatched emotional connect with listeners, his withdrawal from playback singing has forced the industry to reflect inward.While Singh has not publicly framed his decision as a protest, it has nonetheless opened the door for artists like Abhijeet Sawant to speak openly about issues singers have faced for decades - from lack of creative freedom to inadequate compensation.
Is Change Finally on the Horizon?
As conversations around artist rights, royalties, and fair pay grow louder, many believe the Indian music industry may soon be forced to evolve. With fans becoming more aware and artists increasingly vocal, pressure is mounting on producers and music labels to revisit outdated payment models.For now, voices like Abhijeet Sawant’s serve as a reminder that behind every memorable Bollywood song is an artist whose contribution deserves more than applause - it deserves fairness.