Nikhil knows the cost of a ridiculous rumour

He has sung popular Bollywood numbers such as Mere Bina (Crook, 2010), Tere Naam (Cocktail, 2012) and Har Kisi Ko (Boss, 2013), but since his last outing — Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate for Ajay Devgn’s Golmaal Again last year — singer-songwriter Nikhil D’Souza hasn’t sung a song in Bollywood. And the 36year-old blames “ridiculous” rumours in the industry for not getting any offers lately.

“I’ve been moving from Mumbai to the UK or the US for my independent work, but somehow the word got out that I’ve shifted my base outside India and I won’t be available. Sometimes, composers want you to come to the recording studios on a short notice, for example, 45 minutes before the recording. When such rumours are circulating, people don’t even get in touch with me,” explains Nikhil.

However, that’s not the only problem, which has affected Nikhil’s Bollywood musical career. “Sometimes, you cannot work with a particular producer, because you’re not signed by a music label. Label affiliation has become a big thing now. If I’m signed by a label, I won’t be able to sing for other labels. And I’m not signed up ( in Bollywood), by any particular label, so that adds to the problem,” he adds.

Despite not getting work in Bollywood, the musician is happy and says that he is focussing on indie music, now. “Even before Bollywood happened, I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. And I keep travelling with my independent music. As of now I’ve released two singles and planned to release three more before I do an album around it. So, I’m happy with whatever I have right now,” he says.

Nikhil D’Souza lent his voice for a song in Golmaal Again last year