From Lata to Arijit: Samir on the Decline of Musical Variety in Bollywood

Mumbai, November 8 – Lyricist Samir highlighted a growing concern about the sameness of modern playback singers during a recently circulated clip from his podcast “Samir Ka Safarnama.” In conversation with singer Javed Ali, Samir observed that the richly varied sounds of earlier Hindi film music have given way to a monotone trend where many voices echo the style of Arijit Singh. He emphasized that classic film music was built on the unique contributions of composers, lyricists, and singers, each adding a special flavor that created freshness and a sense of ease for listeners.

According to Samir, today’s industry often lacks the dedication and belief once poured into creating songs and movies. Instead of nurturing a collective artistic experience, many focus on assembling a single “proposal” without true film development. He reminisced about the collaborative environment of past recording sessions, where icons like Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar would engage in jam sessions, share laughter, and discuss musical nuances. In contrast, the current process frequently reduces singers to brief, transactional appearances, diminishing the collaborative spirit that once defined Bollywood’s musical golden age.