The writing is on the wall
Javed Akhtar and Aamir Khan had a heated altercation when the actor tried to dismiss the contribution of writers and lyricists, saying that it's the star who makes a song successful
It was a meeting meant to sort out the imbroglio between film producers and lyricists-writers, the latter’s forum represented by Javed Akhtar. But matters came to a sticky head when Aamir Khan, siding with film producers, suggested that lyricists don’t really contribute much to the impact of a song.
It was just too much for the legendary poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar to take, and it soon became a war of words between him and Aamir. Says an eyewitness, “Aamir made it clear that he felt a song becomes a hit because it is picturised on a big star. To this Javed saab asked him, ‘Your first big song was Papa kehte hain. Did it make you a star or did you make that a song run?’”
It was just too much for the legendary poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar to take, and it soon became a war of words between him and Aamir. Says an eyewitness, “Aamir made it clear that he felt a song becomes a hit because it is picturised on a big star. To this Javed saab asked him, ‘Your first big song was Papa kehte hain. Did it make you a star or did you make that a song run?’”
Temperatures in the room started rising, but Aamir stuck to his stand. “When Aamir again insisted that it’s the star who makes a bigger contribution to a song becoming a hit, Javed retorted, ‘Your so-called contribution is nothing but interference. We lyricists would be eternally grateful if you keep your so-called contribution to yourself. We manage to do good work not because of, but in spite of your contribution.’”
Needless to say, Aamir was growing hot under the collar at this direct confrontation. “But when Aamir went a step further to claim that in any film, a writer contributes more than a song-writer to the film, it was the last straw for Javed. He said, ‘Good for Chetan Bhagat’.”
News of the altercation spread like wildfire in the industry. When contacted, Javed Akhtar said, “I wouldn’t like to comment on what happened between me and Aamir. But this is not just a matter about lyricists, but all writers. Certain royalties have to be paid to writers, which in our film industry, aren’t paid properly. We writers are almost like bonded labourers. There is no room for us to profit in any way. But the government is making suitable amendments in the favour of writers and musician’s. This amendment will benefit everyone, including classical musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar, who has spoken up in favour of the amendment.”
Needless to say, Aamir was growing hot under the collar at this direct confrontation. “But when Aamir went a step further to claim that in any film, a writer contributes more than a song-writer to the film, it was the last straw for Javed. He said, ‘Good for Chetan Bhagat’.”
News of the altercation spread like wildfire in the industry. When contacted, Javed Akhtar said, “I wouldn’t like to comment on what happened between me and Aamir. But this is not just a matter about lyricists, but all writers. Certain royalties have to be paid to writers, which in our film industry, aren’t paid properly. We writers are almost like bonded labourers. There is no room for us to profit in any way. But the government is making suitable amendments in the favour of writers and musician’s. This amendment will benefit everyone, including classical musicians like Pandit Ravi Shankar, who has spoken up in favour of the amendment.”
When pressed to comment on what transpired between Aamir, who represented film producers, and himself, Javed said, “Why just Aamir? They were all against it. The producers and music companies were till now forcing us to write off all rights. The Cabinet has now sanctioned the change, but producers, led by certain stars, are trying to stall it. We aren’t living in a feudal age - we have our rights. And producers have to understand this. All the lyricists, writers and musicians have joined hands to fight this issue together. I am not alone.”
11 comments:
This story appears to have many layers in it, and Mid-Day may have taken quotes out of context in yellow journalism effort. BUT all izz not well either. Here is a recent tweet from Mahesh Bhatt:
MaheshNBhatt Crisis: Yash Chopra called to say that Aamir Khan has resigned from the committee formed by Kapil Sibal to discuss the new Copyright Act! 18 minutes ago from web
By the way, the font on this post seems to have become extra small. It made it hard for me to read.
Why slam Mid-day for an article which appeared on Mumbai Mirror. I don't get it....
Mid-day and Mumbai Mirror both had similar versions. So maybe I should slam both. BUT the parties in the meeting say the comments were honest discussion and juxtaposed out of context to create a controversy.
LINK
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_aamir-khan-quits-govt-copyright-panel_1348865
LINK
A very candid interview by Rajdeep Sradesai - Mahesh Bhatt (producer) lined up against Javed Saab and Vishal Bharadwaj. The two creative forces are very articulate and make a strong case. This kind of issue led to the stupidity that caused AR Rahman to leave OSO, SRK's loss and hope better sense prevails with him and other producers.
That seems wrong to me. Is music part of the script? Then how can songs be part of the script?
Situation.
And of course you have inputs from director and producers?
Why don't we have similar size sale of non-filmi albums by same music directors and lyricists? I think story add values to song/ Of course we don't make world class movies but a song like Mere sapnon ki Rani is rarely remembered for SD Burman but always Rajesh Khanna? Having said that a song needs to be good in first place to remembered.
I think they should agree on predecided % profit sharing from other streams of revenue before release of movie. We have seen a flop movies like D6 doing good musically. So I think in this case Rahman and Joshi need to be compensated more if there are other stream revenue. Just the opposite of D6 is 3 Idiots; with average score but good box office, Songs are doing good now. Moitra and Kirkire should they be compensated from other revenue streams but in lower ratio.
Story adds value to the songs and songs add value to the story - it is a two way street. A bad song cannot become a classic just because it is in a good film or filmed on an A-list actor. But a good song can make the actor. In fact we remember Rajesh Khanna for Mere Sapnon ki Rani, and when we talk of Aradhna we talk of the song. The most memorable moments become the songs, and not the other parts of the film. OFC it helps that the songs are easily accessible as discrete packets on youtube!
If AR Rahman can own his music then why not other musicians? Lyricists should get a lot of credit too - for me they are equally important in the song. Them being paid a pittance and then all ownership rights going to the record label is simply not right.
Agree with last para.
Rahman can hold the right by virtue of being top most. And he has other avenues to earn if directors don't take him for projects. Why did he ask for rights in 2007? Why not in 1992? The rules were same? It is because he is in position to demand. Most of the other music directors are not in same position even with multiple hits.
Songs and movie are interdependent. As stated earilier non-filmi albums rarely succeed even if they succeed it is not at same level as film music. So asking for most of the royalties is not right. It should be shared. Now what is the % sharing could be decided by the panel.
I do not think the writers/composers are asking for MOST of the royalties. How did you think that? Right now they get NOTHING, unless they are a Rahman. It is also unfair for producers to say that they will get something AFTER the film is a success. If the producers/music companies keep making money on the songs for years after release, then the writers/composers should have A SHARE of those profits.
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