Bollywood promising actor Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide on June 14 (Sunday). His untimely death has left everyone in shock, including his co-actress and ex-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande. Though the reason was still unclear, the whole nation has been indicting nepotism for the death of this extremely talented actor.
Several Bollywood actors and filmmakers called for an inward look and also questioned the role of ‘Bollywood mafia’ in the apparent suicide of a 34-year-old emerging actor, who managed to carve out a reputation for himself industry without a Godfather.
From fans to celebrities, many have expressed outrage over the death of the actor. The nepotism debate has been sparked off after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput. Meanwhile, Bollywood great singer Sonu Nigam held the Bollywood Mafia responsible for Sushant’s death.
The versatile singer shared a video on his YouTube channel and Instagram in which he spoke about how the mafia in the music industry was bigger than the film industry.
In the video, he said, “Today Sushant Singh Rajput is dead. An actor is dead. Tomorrow you can hear the same about a singer. In the music world, the mafia is also occupied.”
As soon as Sonu posted the video, it went viral like wildfire. Many social media users started commenting on his video. After his allegation, many more singers have come out in support of Sonu Nigam revealing that ‘mafia’ does exist in the industry and ‘newcomers’ are exploited.
Meanwhile, Singer Monali Thakur and Adnan Sami have come forward to support Sonu Nigam’s claims and said, there is a “lot of ‘mafiagiri’ in the music industry.”
Monali Thakur revealed that she spoke to Sonu Nigam after he shared his video and thanked him for revealing the truth. She told Bollywood Spy, “I was thankful to him because he is a senior and he has been in the industry for so long. He is a very big name and an iconic musician. He is over all these things… But it is so true that there is a lot of ‘mafiagiri’ in the music industry. Nobody gets their due. That is the reason why I do not like the atmosphere and ecosystem of the music industry. I don’t even try to get movie songs anymore. I alienated myself because I care for my mental health.”
She further said, “They do not care. Pees dete hai (They crush you) like an ant. They will keep promoting people who are mediocre, I will be very honest, and can hardly do anything to save their lives.”
Monali also said that Sonu Nigam has only urged music companies to be a little more kind to the new commoners and be a little easy on them. She added that the new singers, composers and lyricists are disillusioned about the politics in the music industry.
She said, “If you are signed up with a label and giving away 80 per cent of your income, only then you get work. Why? It’s not healthy.”
On the other hand, singer Adnan Sami also extended his support to Sonu Nigam and claims that singers, composers and music producers are exploited in the Indian music industry.
His statement read, “The Indian Film & Music Industry SERIOUSLY needs a ‘Herculean‘ SHAKE UP. Especially in the context of music, New Singers, Veteran Singers, Music Composers & Music Producers – who are being exploited to the HILT!! “Fall into the DICTAT or you’re OUT”… Why is creativity beyond “CONTROLLED” by those you have no clue about ‘creativity’ & are trying to play GOD?? We have 1.3 Billion people in India by the grace of God- Is all that we have to offer is ‘remakes’ & ‘remixes’? For God sake, STOP THIS & allow the truly talented new & veteran artistes BREATH & give you creative peace Musically & Cinematically!!! Have you, the Movie & Music ‘Mafia’ who have arrogantly entitled yourselves as the ‘self professed & self appointed gods‘ not learned anything from history that you can NEVER control art & the ecosystem of creativity of any field? ENOUGH!! MOVE OVER!! “CHANGE” is here & it’s knocking on your door!! Ready or Not, it‘s coming in! Brace yourselves!”
He added, “As Abraham Lincoln said – “You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time!!””
On Monday, Sonu Nigam shared a video with the caption, “Laaton ke mafia baaton se nahi maante. (you cannot reason with the uncouth mafia with words).”
