Chhaiya Chhaiya, Jai Ho, Ramta Jogi, Lai Ve Naa Gai- Sukhwinder Singh has reached a point in his career where he has sung chartbusters like these. So his remuneration should naturally be very high, as is the case with any successful person.
Imagine he doesn’t charge any money for film songs. Surprised? Well, the singer told us that he had to take this drastic step due to a personal reason.
The 52-year-old singer said, “I noticed some time ago that the new-age music directors probably had a wrong idea about my fees, that I charge a lot of money. So I decided to write in my contract that I will not take any money for film songs from now on.”
Singh claims that he has also returned the contracts that were already signed, along with the agreed fees. “When I did that, people got to know what I mean. Whether the film releases on OTT or in theatres. I returned contracts of six films, some mentioned Rs 10 lakh, some mentioned Rs 10 lakh. 11 lakhs. If the production house wants to pay me I have no objection, but I don’t want to take it. Their lawyers told me they technically can’t write zero rupees, so I said one rupee. They laughed and said that’s not acceptable. So I said ‘two rupees toh banta hi hoga?’,” he added.
Elaborating on working with new music directors, Singh says he is missing out on many opportunities because of rumours about them. “The ones I have to learn from, the new composers and filmmakers, may have good stories and music… but they are running away from me because of rumours about my remuneration. I have made it clear that I don’t want money, just give me a good song. I am comfortable in my life and charge for my performances in private concerts. On one hand I say music is my life and on the other I earn money for film songs? I will be able to learn from new people only if I can reach out to them,” he says.
