Reason AR Rahman gets less work in Bollywood - Publishing Rights

The real reason why A R Rahman gets less work in BollywoodByBollywood Hungama News Network

Created: Jul 31, 2020 - 11:06 IST

Not gangeism, or groupism. If the composing wizard A R Rahman is kept out of Bollywood’s bastion it is because of his insistence on publishing rights. A top-notch musician spills the beans. “There was a time when every major director in Bollywood wanted to work with A R Rahman. They still do. But there is a problem. Rahman insists on retaining the publishing rights of his soundtracks. This right, no producer would give to any musician, at least not in India.”

#A. R. Rahman

The musician who has worked with the biggest banners says Rahman is wrong to blame a ‘gang’ in Bollywood for his relative scarcity of work. “Way back in 2003 Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar offered Kal Ho Na Ho to Rahman. When he asked for publishing rights they quickly signed Shankar-Ehaan-Loy for Kal Ho Na Ho. And Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions never worked with Rahman.”

The musician says there is nothing unfair about this. “Cinema is a business like any other. Why shouldn’t Karan Johar safeguard his business interests? I am not saying Rahman asking for publishing rights is wrong. But in the Hindi music industry, the immortal legends Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle didn’t get publishing rights. For Rahman to expect it is impractical and unreal.”

When I approached Rahman to know more about the “gangs” of Bollywood he has spoken about, he responded with, “How are you? Our team internally felt this news is now done ..we are moving on ...Let’s catch up and do a general one next month if you are still interested. Wishing you the best...take care.”

Interesting. Wonder if it's true. I wish he would give his side of the story. What is the point of saying it and then not wanting to elaborate?

Whoever this person is *Cough* Tseries *Cough* is unaware that Lata in early 60s wanted royalty . Rafi didn’t support her stance and they didn’t sing duets for 2-3 yrs.

Asking rights for his own music isn’t wrong . They don’t want to give it because they want to destroy it later with all the remixes . It’s shit like these that stifle growth, creativity and talent .

He should just release albums .

So sick of these BW talentless money minded crap.

Isn’t it obvious if the goods they produce is top notch people will watch it , hear it and love it? If The audience is willing to give chances to talentless folks then talent if given proper chance and platform will shine like no other.

The examples given are wrong. Lata M, Rafi Sahab were singers and Rehman is predominantly a composer. Had there been Shankar-Jaikishan, L-P, OP Nayyar's name it would make sense.

Singers cannot hold those kind of rights in the first place because the song is not their creation, they are just a part of its making. They do get their cut share of royalty but they cannot own property rights. Bahar system is different because the singer is the songwriter most times.

This is how the copyright law works internationally, in a simplified manner:

"Recording artists earn royalties from the sale of their recordings on CDs, cassette tapes, and, in the good old days, vinyl. Recording artists don't earn royalties on public performances (when their music is played on the radio, on TV, or in bars and restaurants). This is a long-standing practice that's based on copyright law and the fact that when radio stations play the songs, more CDs and tapes are sold. Songwriters and publishers, however, do earn royalties in these instances -- as well as a small portion of the recording sales."

https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/music-royalties1.htm