Rs 101 payment for hit songs? Dark reality of Bollywood playback singing exposed by Kanika Kapoor

Kanika Kapoor, known for hit songs like Baby Doll and Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, has revealed startling details about how playback singers are treated in the Indian music industry. Speaking on Uorfi Javed’s YouTube show Bunkk With Uorfi, the singer shared that despite delivering some of Bollywood’s most popular tracks, artists often receive only token amounts in return.

Kapoor disclosed that she has contracts showing she was paid as little as Rs 101 for her work.

No Fair Payment or Royalties

Kapoor stated that the issue is not limited to her alone but is an industry-wide problem. According to her, most playback singers do not receive proper fees for their songs, and the system is structured in a way that excludes royalties or publishing rights. She explained that the industry often frames the minimal payment as if it were a favor to the singer.


Without naming anyone, she suggested that even India’s most celebrated playback singer has not been adequately compensated for many of his greatest hits.

Live shows As Only Income Source

Highlighting the financial insecurity faced by singers, Kapoor explained that their primary source of income comes from live shows and performances. She emphasized that this form of earning is highly dependent on a singer’s health and ability to perform.

If a singer is unable to continue performing, there is no fallback or pension plan to provide long-term support. “As long as your voice works and you can perform, you earn. But once you stop, there is nothing,” she said during the conversation.

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Industry Challenges Faced by Singers

When asked if there were individuals in the industry who made things difficult for her, Kapoor bluntly replied that “everybody” had given her a hard time at some point. She went on to underline that the lack of proper financial structure for artists has persisted for years. According to her, only independent musicians today might be seeing better financial opportunities, while playback singers working in Bollywood continue to face outdated practices.

Despite these challenges, Kanika Kapoor remains one of Bollywood’s most popular playback singers, with a successful career that spans hit tracks like Lovely (Happy New Year), Desi Look, and Beat Pe Booty.