Bollywood Playback Singer Exposes Shocking Payment Disparities in Hindi Film Industry
The issue of pay disparity, often discussed regarding actors in Hindi and South Indian cinema, extends deeply into the music industry as well. While female actors have highlighted how male counterparts earn significantly more, singers face similar discrimination in compensation. Veteran playback singer Krishna Beura, known for hit songs like 'Maula Mere Le Le Meri Jaan' from Chak De! India and 'Aap Ki Kashish' from Aashiq Banaya Aapne, has now spoken candidly about what he describes as the complete absence of a fair and defined payment system for playback singers in Bollywood.
Revealing the Stark Reality of Singer Payments
Krishna Beura alleged that despite delivering chart-topping songs that became cultural phenomena, he was paid a mere Rs 10,000 for some of his most popular work. In several distressing instances, he received no payment at all. The singer emphasized the critical need for minimum remuneration standards, stating, "There is no fee structure for singers in Bollywood. Singers should have minimum wages. Like if you are calling a singer and making him sit in the studio, at least you should pay him Rs 10,000, they don't even pay Rs 10,000 to singers."
Specific Examples Highlight Payment Injustice
Recalling specific examples from his extensive career, Krishna Beura provided a detailed breakdown:
- For the iconic song 'Aap Ki Kashish', he was paid Rs 10,000, with Rs 900 deducted as TDS.
- He received Rs 10,000 for the patriotic anthem 'Maula Mere Lele Meri Jaan' from Yash Raj Films' Chak De India.
- Shockingly, he was paid Rs 0 for the popular track 'Soniyo O Soniyo' from the film Raaz 2.
- Similarly, he received no payment for songs like 'Moko Kaha Dhunde Re Bande' and 'Mera Intkam Dekhegi'.
Financial Insecurity Despite Decades of Work
Reflecting on his 23-year journey in the industry, Krishna claimed that playback singing has brought him surprisingly little financial security. He revealed, "In my 23 years career as a singer in the film industry, if I see what I have earned only from playback singing in films, it will be a big thing if I have Rs 1.5 lakh in this time." He explained that private producers sometimes pay, but the broader industry often neglects singer compensation, operating under the assumption that singers will earn from live shows and concerts instead.
Fear of Retaliation for Demanding Fair Pay
The singer also alleged that demanding fair compensation can come at the cost of future opportunities. According to him, composers and major music labels frequently replace singers who speak up about payment issues. "You can't ask for money, because if you do, you won't get work the next time. Now it doesn't happen this way, some good people have come in the industry. Try and cut Rs 1,000 of Akshay Kumar. Will you dare to do that?" he remarked, highlighting the power imbalance.
Substantial Earnings Limited to Top-Tier Artists
Krishna further claimed that substantial earnings from playback singing are largely restricted to top-tier, A-list artists. He pointed out that leading singers can command hefty fees, sometimes running into crores for a single song. "Only A-listers earn money because composers think that they can sell the song easily to music company if an A-lister singer sings the song," he said.
Elaborating on this stark disparity, he added, "I can't talk about their fees because every person charges according to them. Some take Rs 5 lakh, some take Rs 10 lakh, and some charge Rs 50 lakh and even charge Rs 3 crore to sing one song. It is all about demand once you have demand in the industry. You will get what you ask for."
This revelation underscores the deep-seated inequalities within Bollywood's music ecosystem, where talent often goes unrewarded unless accompanied by star power and industry demand.
