Salim Merchant reveals why he stepped away from film music

Indian musician and composer Salim Merchant has opened up about his decision to step away from creating music for films, revealing that the Covid-19 pandemic made him realise that the process was no longer bringing him happiness.

Salim explained that he no longer composes songs specifically for films because he feels the industry has gradually changed the creative process. According to the musician, making film music has increasingly become more like a job than an artistic pursuit.

The composer said that the experience of creating music for movies has become complicated because too many people are now involved in the process. He believes that the involvement of multiple stakeholders can sometimes affect the original purpose and emotional essence of the music.

Salim explained that music has effectively become part of a larger commercial setup. Instead of simply working with a director and focusing on the creative side, composers may now have to communicate with producers, record labels, actors and even streaming platforms.

He suggested that this lengthy decision-making process can make it difficult for musicians to preserve their original artistic vision. By the time a song passes through all the different stages and opinions, the creative idea behind it may no longer remain the same.

The musician revealed that this was one of the reasons he decided to stop composing music for films. He has reportedly not created music for a movie in the past six years, choosing instead to focus on projects that allow him greater creative freedom.

Salim’s comments have also sparked speculation among fans about singer Arijit Singh’s decision to step away from new film projects.

Arijit Singh’s decision sparks speculation

Earlier this year, Arijit Singh announced on Instagram that he had decided to stop accepting new singing projects. The popular singer said he would continue working on projects that were already in progress but would not take on new assignments.

The announcement came as a surprise to his millions of fans, particularly because Arijit has remained one of the most prominent voices in Indian film music for years.

Following his announcement, fans began speculating about the reasons behind his decision. However, Arijit did not publicly reveal a specific reason for stepping away from new projects.

His decision has therefore remained a subject of discussion among fans and followers.

Salim Merchant’s latest comments have now added another dimension to that conversation. Some fans are wondering whether Arijit’s decision could also be connected to the changing nature of the film music industry and the increasing number of people involved in the creative process.

However, there is currently no confirmation that Arijit made his decision for the same reason as Salim.

While Salim has openly discussed his dissatisfaction with the increasingly complicated process of making music for films, Arijit has not linked his decision to the same concerns.

For now, any connection between the two decisions remains speculation. Salim’s remarks nevertheless highlight the challenges musicians can face when creative work becomes subject to multiple commercial and production considerations.

Both musicians have built highly successful careers in the Indian music industry, and their recent decisions have prompted renewed discussion about artistic freedom, creative control and the changing relationship between music and mainstream cinema.

We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com