Amaal Mallik Highlights Royalty Issues: 'Sooraj Dooba Hai' Earned Crores, Composer Paid Less

Renowned music composer Amaal Mallik has sparked a significant discussion regarding the financial structures and royalty distributions within the Indian music industry. In a recent interview, Mallik detailed the stark disparity between the revenue generated by hit songs and the actual compensation received by the creators. He specifically cited his 2015 chartbuster 'Sooraj Dooba Hai' from the film 'Roy' to illustrate how music labels retain the lion's share of profits while composers and lyricists struggle for their rightful dues. Mallik pointed out that the lack of ownership over master rights remains a primary hurdle for Indian musicians.

The Royalty System and Legal Background

According to Amaal Mallik, while a royalty system has been officially in place since 2020 following a long legal battle led by veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, the practical implementation remains skewed. Mallik noted that music labels continue to hold the master rights to most compositions, leaving creators with limited financial benefit from. He argued that while actors often receive credit for a song's success, the true foundation lies with the lyricist, composer, director, and singer. He emphasized that these 'four pillars' of music creation deserve a more equitable share of the long-term revenue generated by their work.

Financial Breakdown of 'Sooraj Dooba Hai'

Providing specific numerical insights, Mallik shared that he was paid approximately ₹8 lakh for the creation of 'Sooraj Dooba Hai'. He explained that this amount was utilized to cover the entire production cost, including hiring sound engineers, studio sessions, and other technical requirements, which totaled around ₹8-10 lakh. According to Mallik's estimates, the song has generated an average revenue of ₹65 crore over the last 12 years. He further claimed that the total earnings might have reached ₹100 crore by now, yet the creators' total compensation, including all technical expenses, remained around ₹15-20 lakh.

Comparison with International Music Standards

Mallik drew a sharp contrast between the Indian music industry and the Western model, specifically mentioning global pop icon Taylor Swift. He highlighted that in the West, artists often possess master royalty rights, which allows them significant control over their catalog, while swift, for instance, has the authority to buy back her masters and re-release her albums. Mallik stated that the Indian system lags far behind these global standards, as composers in India don't have similar rights over their own creations once they're sold to a label.

The Role of Creators and Master Rights

The composer stressed that the current industry model often overlooks the long-term financial security of the people who actually create the music. He mentioned that for 'Sooraj Dooba Hai', the initial payment covered everything from the studio space to the food for the team, but didn't include a sustainable royalty share. Mallik believes that until composers and lyricists are granted a portion of the master rights, the financial gap between labels and creators will continue to widen. He called for a shift in how intellectual property is managed in the Indian entertainment sector.

Amaal Mallik's Career and Public Profile

Amaal Mallik, who belongs to a prominent musical lineage, has established himself with numerous hits in Bollywood, while beyond his musical contributions, he's known for his forthright views on industry practices and his personal life. He recently gained further public attention through his appearance on the reality show 'Bigg Boss', where his personality was widely discussed. His latest comments on the royalty issue reflect a growing sentiment among contemporary Indian musicians seeking better transparency and fairer compensation models in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.