AR Rahman: India’s Top Singer Charges ₹3 Crore Per Song

Bollywood singers are just as much in the limelight as Bollywood actors, and they charge a hefty sum to make people listen to their melodious voices at events, parties &…

By Ishika Setia

November 14, 2024

2 min read

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Bollywood singers are just as much in the limelight as Bollywood actors, and they charge a hefty sum to make people listen to their melodious voices at events, parties & functions. The trend emerged in the 1960s when legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar demanded equal pay with that of lyricists and composers, changing the system of payment in Bollywood.

Singers like Mohammed Rafi and Manna Dey were paid ₹300 per song at that time but due to the term Mangeshkar held, her uncompromising stance in those days changed everything for the singers. The highest-paid singer in the industry is now only a part-time singer but commands top dollar for each of his shows.

AR Rahman: India’s Highest-Paid Singer Charges ₹3 Crore Per Song

AR Rahman ranks at the number 1 place as the most expensive singer in India and charges a whopping ₹3 crore for every song he sings. According to industry sources, this high fee not only keeps other composers from approaching Rahman but also allows him to focus on what he loves most — creating music. Rahman rarely sings in songs that he doesn’t compose, but when he does, producers have to shell out a hefty sum for his voice.

Shreya Ghoshal is the highest-paid female singer, who reportedly charges ₹25 lakh per song. Following her is Sunidhi Chauhan, who commands a fee of ₹18-20 lakh per track, similar to Arijit Singh, who also reportedly charges between ₹18-20 lakh per song. Sonu Nigam ranks fifth, with reports indicating his earnings per song fall in the ₹15-18 lakh range. Rapper Badshah and singer Diljit Dosanjh have recently raised their fees significantly, and both are expected to join the ranks of the top-paid singers soon.

As for Rahman’s current projects, he recently wrapped up work on Dhanush’s Raayan and is now scoring the music for Kamal Haasan’s Thug Life and Sunny Deol’s Lahore 1947. These projects highlight Rahman’s enduring presence and influence in the industry, where he continues to elevate the standards both as a singer and an acclaimed composer.