FAVOURITISM IS THE GAME HERE ANKIT TIWARI, Singer
MANOJ MUNTASHIR, Lyricist
We can’t blatantly deny the power game that runs deep. Singers are the worst-affected. They are forced to sign contracts which can beat bonded labour. To bag a film, talent is not the criteria any more. Pressures are mounting, opportunities are drying up.
Nepotism is there, maybe we don’t focus on it much because we’ve got used to such an atmosphere. Favourites hote hain. Priority unki hoti hai jo music company ke close hain, it’s not necessary they are signed. What happens is, if I sing a song, they won’t say remove this song, they will say ‘Ankit won’t sing it’.
JASLEEN ROYAL, Musician
It’s a business model of the labels to give more songs to their artistes, but it’s your choice if you want to sign up or not. Coming from Sonu, it is surprising and shocking. He’s one of the biggest names out there, so he saying this holds some truth. I’ve had offers to sign up, but I always said I want to work on my own terms, whenever I want to do a song with whoever I want.
ARKO PRAVO MUKHERJEE, Musician
In films it should be the decision of the filmmaker and music director. But sometimes the voice we choose has to be changed, the label insists on one of their signed singers. As a business model, it makes more money. If it’s a big hit, the singer’s price goes up, so does the label’s cut.
SONA MOHAPATRA, Musician
“Unfortunately & sadly, music composers & directors have zero say on who sings their songs. After scores of random rejections on compositions, they’d rather just get a project done with. I respect young Vishal Mishra for having stood his ground to retain my voice in Baby Gold, RARE,” she tweeted on Monday. KAVITA SETH, Singer I am not under any contract with a label. I have a very unique voice and composers contact me keeping that in mind. Having said that, I’ve heard this numerous times from my colleagues in the industry. It’s unjust and not acceptable. As an artiste we need to get our dues.
SHAAN, Singer
Nepotism in music is very difficult. There are many who have come and struggled. At some point, they can’t tell their children, ‘Get lost, find another work, because people will blame me for nepotism!’but if the child is incapable, and I still force him down people’s throats, that’s not done. They will get chances, but there are so many star kids who have been failures, no nepotism helped them.
SHASHAA TIRUPATI, Singer
Merit does and will always hold value. It’s about persistence and effort. I’ve been given opportunities by perhaps every music label in the country to sing for films in most industries, without being tied up with any particular label. I came with zero contacts. We all have a journey. That process is different for everybody but it’s unavoidable and necessary I feel.