Vishal Dadlani Takes a Stand Against 'Sifaarish' Culture in Music Industry
Renowned music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani has made headlines with his strong stance against the practice of using political connections or 'sifaarish' to secure opportunities in the entertainment industry. In a recent social media outburst, Dadlani expressed his disdain for those who rely on contacts rather than talent and hard work.
Zero Tolerance for Political Pressure
Dadlani took to Instagram to deliver a blunt message to aspiring singers. "Some advice for newbie singers. Don't get some mantri-ji or his secretary to call me. That is a guaranteed way to NEVER meet me," he wrote in his post. "I have zero respect for people who try to make their way through 'contacts'."
The composer revealed that he had recently blocked both an aspiring singer and the politician who attempted to pressure him on the singer's behalf. "To the chap who just tried it, mantri-ji is now blocked, and so are you. Now, even if you're a great singer, I have no interest in working with you," he added firmly.
Emphasis on Talent and Hard Work
In his caption, Dadlani encouraged artists to believe in their abilities. "Please have faith in your talent, be prepared to work hard and be patient. If you are good, your time will come," he advised. He criticized the 'sifaarish' approach as a "boring cliché" that ultimately demonstrates a lack of confidence in one's own talent.
Popular rapper Hanumankind, who recently collaborated with Dadlani on a beverage brand anthem, showed support for the composer's stance by commenting with crown emojis on the post.
A New Initiative for Raw Talent
Hours after his initial post, Dadlani returned to Instagram with a more positive announcement. In a video message, he revealed plans for a unique talent discovery initiative focused on finding genuine musical talent through live performances.
"Tomorrow, I'm going to announce something special," Dadlani said. "Basically, I want to see whether the concept in my mind, which I'm very passionate about, works or not."
The composer expressed concern about the current music landscape, questioning whether audiences still want to hear original music or if they prefer algorithm-driven recommendations from streaming platforms and television channels.
Live Performance Trials in Mumbai
Dadlani outlined his vision for the initiative, which will begin in his home city of Mumbai. The concept involves aspiring singers performing live in front of both Dadlani and a live audience. He emphasized that interested artists should not send their songs directly to him but instead wait for an opportunity to perform their original tracks in person.
The initiative is designed to be inclusive, eventually extending to all states, cities, genders, ages, languages, and musical genres. However, Mumbai will serve as the starting point for this ambitious project.
How the Initiative Will Work
Dadlani provided specific details about the selection process:
- Prospective artists will submit videos of themselves performing live in front of an audience to a designated email address
- From these submissions, Dadlani will select five to seven artists to perform on the first day of trials
- The performances will take place before a live audience of 150 to 200 people
- Ticketing links will be shared with those who wish to attend as audience members
"I don't even have a name for this," Dadlani admitted. "You, the audience, will come up with this. You'll be involved in the process right from the start, from what it's called to who are the artists you want to listen to."
A Platform Free from Politics and Religion
Dadlani emphasized that his initiative would remain free from external influences. "There's no politics or religion in this. You can be signed with any label or not signed," he stated. The composer expressed his desire for "raw, crazy, original music" and mentioned his concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in music creation.
The composer-singer promised to share more details about the initiative on February 10, marking what could be a significant shift in how new talent is discovered in the Indian music industry.
