Introduction: A Landmark Move for Music Creators
The Indian film industry is taking a major step toward ensuring fair recognition for its music creators. A new agreement between the Music Composers Association of India (MCAI) and the Screenwriters Association (SWA) has been formalized, introducing a fair credit system that acknowledges composers and lyricists as ‘equal co-authors’ of songs. This also designates them as ‘primary artists’ for credit purposes, marking a significant shift in how creative contributions are recognized.
Independent Contracts for Music Creators
Beyond fair credit, the agreement introduces a crucial change—separate contracts with producers—allowing composers and lyricists to negotiate their terms independently rather than being tied to overarching film deals. This move addresses long-standing concerns within the industry, where contributors outside of actors and directors often struggle for due acknowledgment.
The Issue of Credit Omission
Highlighting the industry’s neglect of writers, lyricist and writer Varun Grover pointed out that even legendary figures like Gulzar and Javed Akhtar have had their names omitted from popular YouTube music channels. He recalled the case of Irshad Kamil, whose work on the Rockstar album wasn’t credited properly upon release. Grover also raised the issue of delayed payments, where writers often have to wait months or even years to receive their full fee due to film production timelines.
MCAI President Vishal Bhardwaj’s Perspective
MCAI President Vishal Bhardwaj, a filmmaker and composer, emphasized the deeper significance of this agreement. “Every note of music tells a story, and every word of a lyric brings it to life,” he said, calling the agreement “a promise to ensure fair credit, respect, and independence for all who contribute to the magic of music.” He sees this as a milestone toward building a more collaborative and equitable creative industry.
Comparison with Hollywood’s Writers’ Strike
The conversation around fair compensation for writers and composers isn’t unique to India. Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh referenced the 2023 Hollywood writers’ strike, noting that while international writers have fought hard for their rights, the infrastructure in India is different. For now, he believes simply ensuring recognition is a critical first step.
Role of the Screenwriters Association (SWA) in Protecting Writers
The Screenwriters Association (SWA), a trade union representing film, television, and digital platform writers—including lyricists—has been at the forefront of advocating for these changes. It supports screenwriters working across multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Kannada, Assamese, and several Northeastern languages. With 8,000 regular members and a total membership of around 57,000, SWA plays a crucial role in shaping industry standards for writers in India.
How This Agreement Benefits Music Creators?
- Equal Credit: Composers and lyricists will now be recognized as co-authors of the songs they create.
- Independent Contracts: They can now negotiate directly with producers, ensuring fairer financial compensation.
- Faster Payments: With a structured agreement, delays in payments should reduce significantly.
- More Recognition on Digital Platforms: Ensuring names of music creators are displayed on YouTube, Spotify, and other streaming platforms.
Challenges in Implementing the Fair Credit System
Despite the positive impact, there may be challenges in enforcing this system, including:
Digital platforms may still overlook crediting music creators properly.
Resistance from film producers who may not be willing to change existing contracts.
Lack of proper enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Fairness and Transparency
This new agreement is a landmark development for Indian cinema, paving the way for a more transparent and fair creative ecosystem where music creators receive the recognition and rights they deserve.
