Indian Idol Season One winner, Abhijeet Sawant, has made a significant revelation following the announcement by renowned singer Arijit Singh that he is stepping away from playback singing. Abhijeet Sawant stated that singers in the Indian film industry are often exploited and are not compensated fairly for their work.
Last month, Arijit Singh announced his retirement from playback singing through an emotional social media post, in which he thanked his fans for years of love and support. He shared that he would no longer take on new playback projects and described his journey as a memorable and fulfilling one.
Speaking to Indian media after Arijit Singh’s announcement, Abhijeet Sawant shed light on the harsh realities of the industry. He explained that there is a prevailing mindset in the film industry that singers should not become bigger than the film or the actor, which is why they are paid a fixed and often insufficient amount that barely supports their livelihood.
Abhijeet Sawant further said that singers are fully aware that when a song in their voice is picturized on a major star, it can define their identity for a lifetime. Despite this, they rarely demand higher payments. Many singers, he added, accept whatever amount is offered because they simply want to sing or work with a particular producer, knowing that if they refuse, another singer will readily take their place.
He concluded by stating that this system leads to widespread exploitation of singers, a reality that is rarely discussed openly, and that Arijit Singh’s decision to quit playback singing highlights the deeper issues within the industry.
