Popular singer Arijit Singh recently announced his retirement from playback singing, once again bringing attention to long-standing concerns over how singers are paid in the film industry.
His decision has raised questions about why even top voices struggle to stay in the system and what this means for lesser-known singers with limited bargaining power.
The discussion gained momentum after singer spoke openly about the issue in a recent interview.
He questioned whether playback singers receive fair payment and proper recognition for their work in films.
Abhijeet said singers are often paid limited amounts because the industry does not want them to become bigger than the films themselves.
He pointed out that unlike many Western markets, singers in Indian films usually do not earn royalties from their songs.
To explain the difference, he referred to musician , who worked on the song Lafzon Mein and also created music in the West.
According to Abhijeet, Biddu earns enough royalty income from just a few international songs to support himself for life, while Indian singers struggle to earn a stable living.
Abhijeet also said singers often accept low fees because they are eager for opportunities and visibility.
Many believe that having their voice featured with a big film star can help their career in the long run.
As a result, they agree to whatever payment is offered, fearing someone else will take the job if they refuse.
His comments have added to the growing debate over whether the current system fairly rewards singers and whether meaningful changes are needed to protect artists’ livelihoods.
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