Mumbai: ‘Saiyaara’ music composer Tanishk Bagchi Saturday said he is yet to receive Rs eight lakh in royalties for the hit title track of the movie, which became a box office phenomenon when it released a year ago. Yash Raj Films, however, said all dues were paid as per contract.
Sharing a long note on Instagram on the first anniversary of the film’s release, Bagchi said he gave everything to the title track as it was his first time working with Yash Raj Films and YRF music.
“From the production to the composition, working with the lyricist and singers, recording, vocal tuning, sound, arrangements, every single detail mattered to me. I treated it like it was my own. Whatever YRF had paid me all of that nominal amount was used to do the live and mixes ..what was left was zero, yes. That’s what I earned from a song so big. (sic)
“What hurts the most is that, as per the royalty statement, I’m still yet to receive just 8 lakhs in royalties for a song that has gone on to do millions of streams and views across platforms. Honestly, for the amount of work, time and passion I put into this song, 8 lakhs feels like peanuts. I genuinely believed a song that reached this scale would have earned much more,” the composer wrote.
In a statement, YRF spokesperson said “Saiyaara” track was a collaboration between Bagchi, Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami.
“We are deeply thankful for their brilliance in creating a timeless song that has touched a million hearts. Royalties for the title track have been shared and will continue to be shared by YRF equally between all three composers as contractually agreed by all, including Tanishk. YRF has paid every collaborator their due, as per contract, all within mutually agreed terms & time,” the company said in its statement.
Bagchi, known for hits such as “Raatan Lambya”, “Afat”, “Bolna” and others, said he was writing about what he gained for creating the hit song not to gain sympathy.
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“This experience has changed the way I look at this industry. From now on, I’ll only work with producers and directors who value creativity, honesty and the people who build their music.
“One thing I’ve also learned is that sometimes you give people your everything, and when success comes, they forget who stood by them. Anyway, I leave the rest to God. Time tells every story, and karma settles every account. The only person I respect in this whole film is @mohitsuri.because of him i did this film ..and @irshadkamilofficial (sic).”
Mohit Suri directed the hit romance drama, starring newcomers Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda. Irshad Kamil wrote the lyrics.
The film, about revolves around an aspiring lyricist running away from heartbreak and Krish Kapoor, an ambitious musician with anger issues. They team up for music and eventually fall in love but their budding relationship is beset by a devastating issue.
Despite featuring new faces, the film went on to make almost Rs 600 crore globally.
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