Sonu Nigam Explains Why T-Series And Zee Music Ended Collaborations
Singer discusses copyright dispute behind label fallout.
Playback singer Sonu Nigam has spoken about the professional challenges he faced after raising concerns over copyright and royalty payments in the Indian music industry. During an appearance on Komal Nahta's podcast Game Changers: The Music Series, the singer alleged that major music labels, including T-Series and Zee Music, stopped working with him after he publicly advocated for performers' rights. He said his decision to speak out came at a significant cost to his career.
Reflecting on that period, Sonu said he was at the peak of his popularity when he decided to highlight copyright issues affecting singers. According to him, both T-Series and Zee Music distanced themselves from him, believing he had become an "activist." The singer admitted he never anticipated such consequences, expecting that the differences would eventually be resolved through dialogue rather than affecting his professional opportunities.
Sonu said that as recording opportunities declined, he realised live performances would continue to sustain his career. He noted that while music companies could stop offering him songs, they could not prevent audiences from attending his concerts. Looking back, he described the experience as difficult but said it ultimately reinforced his commitment to advocating for fair treatment of artists and performers in the music industry.
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The singer also observed that the industry's attitude towards copyright and royalty payments has changed considerably over the years. He said music labels that had once opposed his position now pay royalties to singers and maintain cordial relationships with him. Sonu described the campaign as part of a larger movement to secure performers' rights and said he viewed it as carrying forward a cause that legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar had championed. India strengthened performers' rights through the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012, which introduced greater royalty protections for singers, lyricists and other creators.
On the professional front, Sonu is preparing for a major international and domestic concert tour. He is scheduled to perform at London's OVO Arena Wembley on August 23 before launching the Revolution India Tour 2026 in October. The tour will cover Bengaluru, Pune, Surat, Indore, Bhopal, Nagpur, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Jodhpur, with performances continuing until March 2027, marking another significant chapter in the veteran singer's decades-long career.
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