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Composer's Decade-Long Fight Echoes in Music Royalty Debate
20 Jul
Summary
- Amaal Malik claims a decade-long battle for artist rights is now being recognized.
- Tanishk Bagchi disputes royalty payments with Yash Raj Films for the Saiyaara track.
- The music industry faces renewed debate over fair compensation for creators.
Composer Amaal Malik posted a cryptic message on social media, noting that industry conversations about artists' rights are occurring a decade later than when he initially fought for them. He expressed that the industry is "waking up 10 years too late," referencing his solitary efforts in 2015.
This statement emerged as composer Tanishk Bagchi engaged in a dispute with Yash Raj Films (YRF) regarding royalty payments for the title track of 'Saiyaara'. Bagchi alleged he had not received Rs 8 lakh in royalties, a claim YRF countered by stating all payments were processed according to agreed terms.
Bagchi's initial post, later deleted, detailed his creation of the song and his first collaboration with YRF. YRF clarified that royalties were divided equally among the three composers, Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami, and that all parties received payments as per their agreements.
Malik had previously, in March, discussed the persistent challenges in royalty payments for Indian music creators. He emphasized that while actors often receive significant credit, lyricists, composers, directors, and singers are equally vital, deserving greater recognition and lasting rights.
