August 18, 2025

Kanika Kapoor, the voice behind chartbusters like Baby Doll and Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, has dropped a bombshell on Bollywood's music scene! In a lively chat on Uorfi Javed’s YouTube show Bunkk With Uorfi, she revealed a harsh truth – most playback singers earn just a tiny fraction for their magical voices. Can you believe Kapoor has contracts proving she was paid as little as Rs 101 for singing hit songs? No Fair Payment or Royalties Kapoor didn’t hold back. She said this problem is not just her story but an industry-wide mess. Most playback singers don’t get a fair fee for their songs. Even worse, the system cuts out royalties and publishing rights, meaning singers don’t earn from how popular their songs become. She added, “The industry often treats minimal payment as a favor to the singer.” She even hinted that India’s biggest playback singer hasn’t been paid right for many of his biggest hits! Live Shows As Only Income Source With such low pay, where else do singers get money? Kapoor explained live shows and performances are their main earners. But here’s the catch – earnings from live shows depend on a singer’s health and ability. There’s no safety net or pension plan. Kapoor said, “As long as your voice works and you can perform, you earn. But once you stop, there is nothing.” Harsh, isn’t it? Industry Challenges Faced by Singers When asked if anyone made her journey tough, she didn’t sugarcoat her answer, saying, “everybody” has given her a hard time. She emphasized the financial system for singers in Bollywood is old-fashioned and unfair. While independent musicians today might find better pay, playback singers are stuck with outdated rules. Despite all these hurdles, Kanika Kapoor remains a shining star in Bollywood’s music world, with hits like Lovely from Happy New Year, Desi Look, and Beat Pe Booty lighting up our playlists. Her truth-telling might just shake up how the music biz treats its hidden heroes – the playback singers.

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Tags: Kanika kapoor, Bollywood playback singers, Music industry, Payment issues, Royalties, Live shows,