Kanika Kapoor: “I can show you all the contracts, I was paid Rs. 101”

‘Baby Doll’ singer Kanika Kapoor has spoken candidly about the financial realities faced by playback singers in Bollywood, revealing that many are grossly underpaid and often earn their livelihood through alternative means.

Speaking to Uorfi Javed on her show ‘Bunking with Uorfi’, Kapoor admitted that singers are rarely compensated for their songs. “Singers don’t really get paid. I can show you all the contracts, I was paid Rs. 101,” she said. “They say they’re doing you a favour.”

Kapoor went on to highlight the broader issue, suggesting that even India’s most celebrated vocalists may not be receiving fair remuneration. “I could talk to you about the greatest singer in India. I won’t name names—it’s quite obvious—but I don’t believe even he is being paid for most of his biggest hits. There’s no publishing, no royalty structure. That simply doesn’t exist in India today.”

While she acknowledged that she hasn’t seen every singer’s contract, Kapoor emphasised that the reality for many artists is bleak, with payments as low as Rs. 101 being disturbingly common.