Lyricists and composers don’t get their royalties: Arko Mukherjee

Arko feels that while singers can earn and make money by doing shows, there are many issues, which affect the musicians in the Hindi film industry

Music composer-singer Arko Pravo Mukherjee (right), best known for his soulful compositions such as Tere Sang Yaara (Rustom; 2016), Abhi Abhi (Jism 2; 2012) and Allah Waariyan (Yaariyan; 2014), feels blessed that he is living his dream. “I am very fortunate that I get to make music and so many people hear it. I am okay with even five-six songs a year as long as I get to make my own kind of music,” says the 34-year old musician, who has turned singer for his next song Nazm Nazm for the upcoming film Bareilly Ki Barfi.

Recently, many singers and lyricists in Bollywood claimed that they are not getting their due recognition. The controversy got mixed reactions from industry people. Sharing his viewpoint on the same, Arko explains, “The main issue is royalties. Singers can earn by doing shows. How will lyricists and composers earn more apart from what they are paid? This is why many of them have to try for other jobs, and also write trivial things they don’t want to actually write.”

Arko also feels that the burgeoning popularity of party songs is the result of the growing demand of the audience. “I am not a judge of other people’s work but the club scene is huge right now. Remakes of old songs are a rage. Music changes with time, like ghazals were popular in the ’90s, but now Punjabi songs with raps have taken over,” he says.

Currently, working on independent singles, Arko’s next release, after Bareilly Ki Barfi, will be non-film music, which will be out soon.

I am not a judge of other peoples’ work but the club scene is huge right now. Remakes of old songs are a rage

ARKO PRAVO MUKHERJEE, ACTOR