Music director Monty Sharma recently shed light on the dramatic shift in earnings within the Indian music industry, highlighting superstar Arijit Singh’s journey from an unknown artist to one who commands crores for a single performance.
From Unknown to Superstar: Arijit Singh’s Journey
There was a time when Arijit Singh was not the household name he is today. Music director Monty Sharma recalls Arijit spending hours in his office, eagerly learning and waiting for his big break.
Fast forward to today, Arijit Singh is one of the most sought-after voices in the Hindi film industry. According to Sharma, Arijit now charges an astounding Rs 2 crore for a single performance, a testament to his immense popularity and brand value.
The Changing Landscape of Music Production
Monty Sharma, known for his work in Bollywood, shared how drastically the music industry’s economics have changed. He revealed that in earlier times, a complete song, including a large orchestra, could be produced for as little as Rs 2 lakh.
As his own brand grew, Sharma started charging Rs 35,000 per song, regardless of other production expenses. He emphasizes that an artist’s brand name now largely dictates their worth and earning potential.
Who Really Profits? Audio Companies in the Spotlight
While artists like Arijit Singh command high fees, Sharma points out that the biggest beneficiaries of the digital age are often audio companies. In the past, audio rights were sold for crores, but exposure was limited to radio and television.
Today, with numerous social media platforms and streaming services like Spotify and YouTube, the reach and revenue potential are “humongous.” Sharma claims that audio companies are “making mad money” from the vast distribution and consumption of music online.
Composers might charge a significant amount, like Rs 20 lakh per song, but often have to give away up to 90% of the song rights to these audio companies. This model largely benefits the distributors who own the content rights.
The Singer vs. Composer Pay Gap
Sharma notes a significant disparity in earnings between singers and music composers. Because singers are the visible faces and voices of the songs, they tend to earn the most.
He states that many new singers today can also charge between Rs 1 to Rs 2 crore for their work. This contrasts sharply with composers, whose earnings, despite the evolution of the industry, often remain more limited due to the way rights are structured.
New Avenues for Artists: The Rise of Reality TV
Beyond traditional song royalties, reality shows have emerged as a major income stream for artists. Monty Sharma himself recalls charging Rs 7.5 lakh per day during his time on “Voice of India.”
Today, he says there’s “no cap” to the earnings from such shows, which bring substantial money to mentors and performing singers. Reality television offers a consistent and lucrative platform for artists to earn and maintain their visibility.
Not Everyone Makes It Big
Despite the massive earnings seen at the top, Sharma acknowledges that not every artist is fortunate enough to achieve such exposure and success. Many talented individuals in the industry still struggle to find their footing.
He laments that sometimes their work is “misunderstood” and producers fail to grasp their true potential. This highlights the competitive and often challenging nature of the music business, even in an era of unprecedented digital growth.
- Arijit Singh’s performance fee has reportedly soared to Rs 2 crore.
- Music production costs have increased dramatically compared to older times.
- Audio companies are the biggest beneficiaries of the digital music landscape due to streaming platforms.
- Singers generally earn more than composers, who often part with a large percentage of song rights.
- Reality shows have become a significant new income source for artists and mentors.
- Despite the high earnings for some, many artists in the industry still face significant struggles.
The music industry continues to evolve, presenting both immense opportunities and enduring challenges for artists and creators.
