Nora Fatehi Opens Up About Industry Struggles, Says "Everyone Was Making Money Except Me"

Nora Fatehi, known for her power-packed dance performances in blockbuster songs like Dilbar and O Saki Saki, has spoken about the financial challenges she faced in Bollywood. Despite her immense contribution to the success of films and viral dance numbers, she revealed that she was not financially benefiting while others made money from her work.

In a candid interview with BBC Asian Network, Nora shared how she came to understand the industry's business model.

When I started featuring in songs that were breaking the internet, helping films succeed, and influencing box office numbers, I realized that everyone was making money except me. There’s revenue from YouTube, streaming rights, and even the films benefitting from the hype of these successful songs, but I was doing them for free. The only money I made was from live performances and events, but there were no intellectual property rights (IPs), publishing royalties, or other revenue streams for me.

- Nora Fatehi

Instead of resisting the system, Nora took matters into her own hands. She explained, “Instead of fighting the system, I created a way where I can still do those dance numbers without worrying about revenue. I am grateful for the opportunities, but as an artist, I have to think about sustainability and security. Publishing rights and royalties are crucial for building a legacy and safeguarding my future. What’s the point of being the ‘Dilbar girl’ for my kids if I have nothing to show for it financially? Generational wealth matters, and that’s what I want to focus on now.”

Nora’s Bollywood journey has been marked by back-to-back hit dance performances. From Dilbar and O Saki Saki to Ek Toh Kum Zindagani, she has delivered chartbusters that have set trends in the industry.

Beyond dance, she is making her mark in films. In 2024, she appeared in Crakk - Jeethega Toh Jiyegaa!, Madgaon Express, and Matka. She will next be seen in Be Happy, Kanchana 4, and KD – The Devil. Recently, she also collaborated with Jason Derulo on the song Snake, proving her global reach in entertainment.