Bollywood Singers Underpaid: Abhijeet Sawant Highlights Royalty Gap

Singer Abhijeet Sawant has revealed how Bollywood playback singers are underpaid and denied royalties, contrasting their struggles with composer Biddu, who earns ₹74–84 lakh monthly from just two songs. With Arijit Singh’s exit reigniting debate, the issue of exploitation and lack of fair compensation in India’s film music industry is under sharper focus.

Feb 5, 2026 0 29

Bollywood Singers Underpaid: Abhijeet Sawant Highlights Royalty Gap

With Arijit Singh stepping away from playback singing, the conversation around fair pay for singers in Bollywood has intensified. Many are questioning why the industry struggles to retain its biggest stars and how lesser-known artists survive under such conditions. Singer Abhijeet Sawant recently addressed this issue, shedding light on the exploitation of playback singers.

Payment Structure in Film Music

Speaking on Pentarise Studios’ YouTube channel, Abhijeet explained that singers are deliberately kept from overshadowing films. “Musicians don’t receive royalties for film music,” he said, contrasting the situation with composer Biddu, who continues to earn massive royalties from just two international songs.

Abhijeet revealed that singers often accept low or no payment simply for the chance to have their voice featured in a film. “We get exploited a lot,” he admitted, noting that singers prioritize exposure over financial compensation.

Biddu’s Example of Royalty Success

While most Indian singers cannot claim such earnings, Biddu’s case illustrates the disparity. The British-Indian composer produced global hits like Kung Fu Fighting and Disco Deewane, and continues to earn £60,000–£70,000 per month in royalties — equivalent to ₹74–84 lakh today.

This stark contrast highlights how Indian playback singers are denied long-term financial security, even as their voices define Bollywood’s music culture.