Tanishk Bagchi SLAMS Bollywood for hugely underpaying musicians: 'Even Ed Sheeran doesn't have the numbers I've clocked in...'

Time of India

25-04-2025

Composer, lyricist and singer
recently reveals if artists benefit from the music they have created. He also drew comparisons between Ed Sheeran and him.
Frustration Over Musicians' Lack of Recognition
When asked whether musicians earn from the songs they create, Tanishk expressed frustration over how low composers rank in the industry's hierarchy in his chat with Bollywood Bubble.
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He explained that even when a song becomes a massive hit, credit usually goes to the singers like
or
, or sometimes to composers like
or himself. However, the first recognition often goes to the actors featured in the video, as audiences typically associate songs with the visuals. He also pointed out that lyricists, in particular, are rarely acknowledged at all.
Unrecognized Lyricists:
,
, and
Tanishk Bagchi went on to highlight how even well-established lyricists like Sayeed Quadri and Kausar Munir often go unrecognized by the general public, despite having written some of Bollywood's most popular songs.
He shared how, in conversations, many people are unaware of their work until he points out hit tracks like 'Tune Maari Entry,' 'Galliyan,' or 'Tera Ban Jaunga,' which were penned by these writers. He added that even someone as respected as Irshad Kamil faces this issue, noting that while lyricists may be content with their work, many remain unfamiliar with how to promote themselves or navigate publicity.
PR Responsibilities Shouldn't Fall on Musicians
Tanishk Bagchi further emphasized that veteran lyricist Irshad Kamil is only now starting to explore public relations, but ideally, he shouldn't have to—such responsibilities should fall on the production companies.
He pointed out how musicians are rarely given proper visibility during a film's launch, and even in solo projects, names like his are often forgotten. What's more disheartening, he said, is that even a small credit for the lyricist doesn't find space on promotional posters. Despite feeling the system is unfair, he admitted that artists continue to work quietly, as speaking out could cost them the opportunities they already have.
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The Struggle for Recognition Despite Success
He concluded by expressing his frustration that despite the hard work musicians put into creating songs for films, they don't receive the recognition they deserve. He explained how every time, they have to start over and rebuild their reputation from scratch. Reflecting on his own success, he pointed out that he's written so many songs with billions of views, surpassing even Ed Sheeran's numbers over the last five years.
However, he questioned why, despite this success, he still hasn't achieved the level of recognition that global artists like Ed Sheeran have. The issue, he believes, lies in the lack of proper acknowledgment for musicians in the industry.