‘Companies have realised that they can own singers’
Sonu Nigam, who recently judged the ninth season of Indian Idol, agrees that a reality TV show meant solely for composers is a viable idea. He says, “A friend suggested this idea some ten years ago. I don’t know if TV channels will be up for it. Also, there is [no such contest] for lyricists. TV as a medium is a different ball game altogether. Gone are the days when you could come up with a concept and the channel would use it. The corporate system has become too complex. Sabke apne views honge, sabko apni salary justify karni hai (Everyone has their own views and have to justify their salaries). They will have a viewpoint regardless of whether they know anything. Even if you have genuinely good ideas, there will be ten people who will justify their salaries. But it’s a very good concept and it will encourage new composers. Maybe some good music will be created. I hope it becomes a reality.”
Speaking about the trend of multiple singers and composers working on one film album, he says, “I feel if a film has one ethos then it should have one composer, but if it is a fun film, then it works. When you have templates, you can bring different people on board.”
Increasingly, singers are being contractually bound to music labels and companies. When asked if he thinks such practices impose creative restrictions on singers, Sonu says, “Music companies have realised that they can own singers. They have a group of singers working for them. So, they are like employees. We make them popular and we take a cut from their shows. This is their business strategy, which is not wrong. The only problem is they will be deprived of the best singers, who may not be a part of their company.”