MUMBAI: Sonu Nigam and his fight for royalties against music label T-Series is an open rebuke. Amidst the tussle, the music label reportedly even redubbed a few of his songs. Now the 41 year old singer has crooned the tracks ‘Love is a Waste of time’ and ‘Bhagwan Hai Kahan Re Tu’ for the movie ‘PK’, for which the music rights of the film are owned by T-Series. In a conversation with Radioandmusic.com’s Dhairya Ingle, Sonu Nigam elaborates on how he agreed to sing songs for the music label and the contracts he signed.
Did T- Series approach you for recording the songs?
With the kind of controversies and situations that arose in the last six months I was singled out from the industry and many of my songs got redubbed. But I need to thank Vindhu Vinod Chopra, Shantanu Moitra and Rajkumar Hirani. They put their foot down and retained my voice and my songs are out.
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Since you say your songs were redubbed, how did this impact your career?
It did not bother me much. My parents have taught me to be contented and for all of us in the family self respect is the biggest thing. So if anyone tries to disrespect me, I prefer to move on before the negativity increases. Same was the case here; people redubbing my songs did not impact me much. Since the past eight years, I had become choosy about the songs I want to sing as I did not want my listeners to get bored of my voice. I would rather want someone to ask me why you are not singing these days. It not about the number of songs I sing, it is about the number of hearts I touch.
Was it beneficial joining organisations like SAI and ISRA?
It is not about benefiting anyone. It is about following legalities. The organisations are only there to streamline the laws so that a standard contract is followed by all the labels. It was difficult for all of us to get the contracts.
Did you sign any contracts for these songs?
Yes I did. I have always said that the contract should be made to sign on the consensual basis. My contracts were approved by SAI and ISRA. A few wise people had drafted the contracts which took care of the singers, producers and label. Also I would like to add that there is no bad blood between us and the label companies, it is all about following a standard contract.
Are you on speaking terms with Bhushan Kumar?
Well, we have not come across each other. Once we come face to face I will definitely talk to him. I was always there for the family when Gulshan Kumar passed away.
