In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through the Indian film industry, Bollywood playback singer Krishna Beura has claimed he was paid a mere Rs 10,000 for recording the iconic song 'Maula Mere Le Le Meri Jaan' from the blockbuster film Chak De India, starring Shah Rukh Khan. The singer, known for his contributions to several popular tracks, has opened up about what he describes as a deeply flawed and inequitable payment system for vocalists in the Hindi film music industry.
The Stark Reality of Singer Compensation in Bollywood
During a candid interview, Krishna Beura detailed his financial struggles, alleging that the lack of a standardized fee structure has left many talented singers underpaid or even unpaid for their work. He revealed that beyond the Chak De India song, he received the same Rs 10,000 amount for other hits like 'Aap Ki Kashish' from Aashiq Banaya Aapne, with Rs 900 deducted as TDS. More distressingly, he stated that for several other recordings, including 'Soniyo O Soniyo' from Raaz 2 and 'Moko Kaha Dhunde Re Bande', he was paid absolutely nothing.
A Career Marred by Financial Hardship
Reflecting on his 23-year journey in the film industry, Krishna Beura painted a grim picture of his earnings from playback singing alone. He estimated that his total income from this avenue might not even reach Rs 1.5 lakh over more than two decades. According to him, the prevailing mindset within the industry is that singers should rely on live shows and concerts for their livelihood, rather than expecting fair compensation for studio recordings. Private producers, he noted, are sometimes willing to pay, but the broader film industry often neglects this basic remuneration.
The Fear of Retaliation and Replacement
Krishna further alleged that singers who dare to demand payment face severe repercussions. He explained that music composers and major labels frequently replace vocalists if they ask for money, creating a climate of fear where artists are reluctant to assert their rights. Drawing a powerful analogy, he questioned, "Try and cut Rs 1,000 of Akshay Kumar. Will you dare to do that?" This statement underscores the perceived imbalance in how different professionals within the industry are valued and compensated.
The Elite Circle: A-List Singers Commanding Crores
In contrast to his own experiences, Krishna Beura highlighted the lucrative earnings of top-tier Bollywood singers. He claimed that A-list vocalists can charge as much as Rs 3 crore for a single song, with fees ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh based on their demand and marketability. He attributed this disparity to the commercial interests of music composers and labels, who believe that featuring a renowned singer makes a song easier to sell to music companies. "It is all about demand once you have demand in the industry. You will get what you ask for," he remarked, emphasizing the role of popularity in determining compensation.
The Royalty Conundrum
When questioned about royalties, Krishna Beura expressed disappointment, stating that singers typically do not benefit from these earnings. He asserted that the royalty system fails to reach the vocalists, leaving them with no passive income from their recorded work. According to him, the only reliable source of revenue for singers remains live performances and concerts, which further exacerbates the financial instability faced by those who are not in the upper echelons of the industry.
This expose by Krishna Beura has sparked a broader conversation about fairness and transparency in Bollywood's payment practices, urging a reevaluation of how singers are valued and compensated for their indispensable contributions to the world of cinema.
