Meet woman who was paid only Rs 76 for singing in Salman Khan’s superhit film, she created a buzz with Gangs of Wasseypur

Singer Sharda Sinha sang some popular songs in Salman Khan's films including Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.

Popular folk singer whom we are talking about hails from Bihar, she predominantly sings in Maithili and Bhojpuri language and is called Bihar Kokila, the cuckoo of Bihar. She has sung many regional songs like “Vivah Geet”, “Chhath Geet”. In 1991, she received the Padma Shri award for her contribution to music. She was awarded Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, on the eve of Republic Day in 2018. Her name floats on the lips of every Bihari. Whether it is a wedding or the great festival Chhath. The event is considered incomplete without her songs. Her voice itself creates the atmosphere. It would not be an exaggeration to say that Sharda Sinha has become a complement to the festivals and worships of Bihar. This folk singer, who has sung many evergreen songs in Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Bajjika languages, has been honored with Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

Sharda Sinha has also sung some popular songs in Bollywood films including Why so Sajna in Salman Khan’s Maine Pyar Kiya, Babul in Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit’s Who are you?and Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur (Part II) where she sang Taar Bijli in the film.

I loved youdirected by Sooraj Barjatya, was made on a budget of just Rs 1 crore but went on to become a box office sensation, earning over Rs 45 crore. This film marked a major breakthrough for Salman Khan, earning him superstar status. Interestingly, Salman charged only Rs 30,000 for his role, while the lead actress Bhagyashree earned Rs 1 lakh. However, it may surprise many that singer Sharda Sinha, who lent her voice to the song Why so Sajna in the film, was paid only Rs 76.

After I loved you, Sharda Sinha took a long hiatus from Bollywood playback singing, only returning over two decades later with the song Our drink is thinner than lightning in the acclaimed film Gangs of Wasseypur. This track quickly became a fan favorite, resonating widely with audiences. More recently, her song Nirmohiya from the web series Maharani also received much appreciation, adding to her legacy in both regional and mainstream music.