Singer Alisha Chinai has recently shared insights into her prolonged absence from Bollywood music, shedding light on her discontent with industry practices. Known for iconic tracks like “Made in India” and “Kajra Re,” Chinai explained that her decision to step back was not only a personal choice but also a stand against what she describes as “illegal” contracts being imposed on artists.
In a candid interview with Free Press Journal, Chinai expressed her growing boredom with mainstream Bollywood music and a sense of burnout as an artist. She mentioned that these feelings, combined with the politics of the industry, contributed to her decision to distance herself. The singer stated that multiple factors were at play, including personal challenges and her dissatisfaction with the treatment of artists, particularly regarding contractual agreements.
Chinai voiced grave concerns about copyright issues and a lack of fairness within the music industry. She described the contracts singers were coerced into signing as “completely illegal,” leading her to refuse participation in projects that required such agreements. Her choice to reject these contracts, however, resulted in fewer invitations to perform, a situation she accepted as a necessary sacrifice for her principles.
Throughout the 90s and 2000s, Alisha Chinai was a prominent figure in the Hindi film music realm, contributing to numerous hits. However, since 2013, her involvement has dwindled, with only one recorded song for a Hindi film in recent years, namely “Zindagi Meri Dance Dance” for the 2017 movie Daddy. Her last major hit was “Dil Tu Hi Bata” from Krrish 3 in 2013.
Beyond Bollywood, Chinai has made notable strides in the indipop genre, establishing herself with successful albums such as Babydoll and Bombay Girl. Her breakout hit, “Made in India,” released in 1997, is remembered as one of the highest-selling non-film soundtracks in India’s music history, solidifying her status as a household name across the country.