Amaal Mallik Claims He Earned Rs 1.5 Lakh From a Hit Ranbir Kapoor Song but Label Earned Rs 100 Cr: ‘We Made It in Rs 10 Lakh’

Why It Matters

The lopsided royalty split undermines composer and lyricist earnings, prompting calls for reform in India’s music industry. Aligning rights with global standards could boost creator incentives and industry growth.

Key Takeaways

• Composer earned ~ $1,200–$1,800 from hit song
• Label collected about $12 million in royalties
• Indian royalty split gives creators under 5% share
• Western artists retain master rights, unlike Indian system
• Javed Akhtar’s 2012 amendment introduced royalty framework

Pulse Analysis

The Indian music market has exploded in recent years, with film soundtracks driving billions of rupees in revenue. Yet the underlying royalty architecture remains rooted in an outdated model that heavily favors record labels. When a single track like “Sooraj Dooba Hai” turns a modest Rs 10 lakh ($12,000) production into a Rs 100 crore ($12 million) cash cow, the disproportionate payout to the label—95% of earnings—exposes a structural imbalance that stifles creative talent and discourages investment in new music.

Globally, artists such as Taylor Swift have leveraged master‑rights ownership to negotiate better terms, re‑release catalogs, and secure long‑term income streams. In contrast, Indian composers and lyricists are confined to a narrow publishing share, often receiving only a few thousand dollars per hit despite the song’s massive commercial success. This gap not only affects individual livelihoods but also hampers the broader ecosystem, as emerging talent may gravitate toward more lucrative, non‑film avenues or seek opportunities abroad where rights are more equitably distributed.

Legislative efforts, notably the Copyright (Amendment) Act 2012 championed by Javed Akhtar, introduced royalty provisions, yet implementation gaps persist. Industry stakeholders are now urging a revision of royalty splits, greater transparency, and the introduction of master‑right provisions for composers and singers. Aligning India’s royalty framework with international best practices could unlock a more sustainable revenue model, incentivize high‑quality content creation, and ultimately expand the country’s share of the global music market.