In a recent interview, Sunidhi Chauhan, one of Bollywood's leading vocalists, has made some startling revelations about the entertainment industry, specifically regarding reality shows and payment disparities in the music industry. Chauhan, known for her powerful voice and hit songs like "Desi Girl" and "Sheila Ki Jawani", shared her experiences and opinions on Raj Shamani's podcast, shedding light on some questionable practices.
Chauhan, who started her musical journey at the age of five, has judged several singing reality shows, including Indian Idol, The Voice, and Dil Hai Hindustani. However, she revealed that she stopped judging these shows because she felt the reality was no longer authentic. "I enjoyed my first two years when there was no emotional drama, just fun, and the performance you heard was the same as what was broadcast on TV," she said. "Now, what you watch is all doctored, it's all corrected". She found it unethical to promote contestants regardless of their talent.
Chauhan explained that the makers often manipulate the narratives and try to highlight the positive side of a contestant, leading to confusion among viewers when a seemingly good performer gets eliminated. She was also asked to promote specific contestants, regardless of their performance, which she found disturbing. "The business had to be maintained, which shocked her".
In addition to her comments on reality shows, Chauhan also spoke about the issue of unpaid dues in the music industry. She revealed that she has not been paid for many of her songs in films. "I haven't got money for many movies, even today they don't give me," she said. However, she clarified that sometimes she chooses not to take the money because she feels she doesn't need it for that particular song, or she wants to help someone. "You don't want to hurt anybody's ego because everyone does not think like you. They might also not understand how you feel," she added.
Chauhan also addressed the issue of lobbying in the Bollywood music industry, which singer Sonu Nigam has also spoken about. "It's everywhere," Chauhan said. "Lobbying is present in award functions, music, films, and reality shows. It's something you cannot avoid". She advised people to focus on their work and, if they want to get involved, to do it to fix things.
Despite these challenges, Sunidhi Chauhan remains one of the most sought-after and highest-paid singers in the Indian film industry. Her willingness to speak out about these issues is a testament to her integrity and her commitment to the music industry. She also expressed her admiration for singer Arijit Singh and his approach to music. She praised Singh's humility and his ability to remain unaffected by audience attention during concerts.
