Kanika Kapoor Shocks With ₹101 Payment Claim, Adnan Sami Breaks Silence On Music Industry Secrets

Kanika Kapoor recently was seen talking about the truth behind the Indian music industry that many even hesitate to mention,  many singers, even at the top, are barely paid for their work.

Kanika Kapoor Says She Was Paid ₹101 for Songs, Reveals on Bunk With Uorfi

 In a candid chat with Uorfi Javed on Bunk With Uorfi, the Baby Doll singer said she had been paid just ₹101 for songs that went on to become national sensations. She even hinted that “the greatest singer of India” today may also be facing the same neglect. They get no royalty, no publishing rights and no advantages regardless of who you are and what is your stand in the music and cinema industry. 

“Main saare contracts dikhaati hu, ₹101 milte hain,” she said. “They say they’re doing you a favour.” Her frustration wasn’t just personal,  it echoed a deep structural issue that many artists silently endure.

Adnan Sami on Kanika Kapoor, Everyone’s Journey Is Different

But when Adnan Sami was asked to respond, his answer came from a different place, one of experience, clarity, and a perspective that matters more than usual considering his time in the industry. 

“No, I don’t think so,” Adnan told Zoom. “Everybody has their own experiences in life. You cannot generalise. If that happens to be her experience, so be it. Speaking for the whole industry is something he went a little hesitant about, everyone has their own journey and everyone has their own time to shine and make a name for themselves regardless of everything else. 

And Adnan Sami would know. In the early 2000s, he was at the absolute peak of his career. Songs like Lift Kara De, Kabhi To Nazar Milao, and Tera Chehra weren’t just hits,  they were anthems. People didn’t only listen to his songs because they were used by cassettes and cds to groove to the music he has made .He wasn’t just successful, he was revolutionary.

Adnan Sami on Industry Realities: Relationships, Privilege, and the Need for Reform

But despite that stature, even he admits that the industry runs on relationships as much as contracts. “There comes a time in your career when many in the industry are your friends,” he said. “A friend recently sent me a beautiful song and asked my manager what the charge would be. I said, ‘He’s a friend. I’m not going to charge him.’ But that’s my choice. That doesn’t mean everyone should follow that. Each artist has their own system, their own ethics.

So, while Kanika Kapoor exposed a hard-hitting reality that many emerging artists face, Adnan Sami reminded us that every journey in the industry is different and sometimes, privilege, reputation, and personal connections offer you options that not everyone has.

Still, one truth remains: the Indian music industry needs reform. Real payment, royalty systems, and respect for creative labour aren’t luxuries, they’re basics.

Also Read: How Gori Shows Gajendra Verma’s Growth: Emotionally Deep and Musically Fresh In New Song