Among the ongoing debate about music royalties has been caused by: Tanishk BagchiThe claims of Saiyaara title track, composer-singer: Amaal Mallik: shared a cryptic post on social media that many believe speaks to a larger issue. Although he did not name Tanishk or the film, Amaal suggested that the industry is now recognizing a problem that he said he highlighted years ago.Sharing a selfie with a note, Amaal wrote, “People in the music industry woke up 10 years late. Where were you in 2015 when I fought the system alone :).”His statements come as talks about royalty payments have resurfaced after Tanishk Bagchi’s allegation that he has yet to receive ₹8 lakh in royalties for the Saiyaara title. Yash Raj movies has since denied any wrongdoing, saying royalties were distributed equally among the three song composers in accordance with their contracts and that all collaborators were paid as agreed.Amaal has long been vocal about the financial challenges composers and lyricists face despite the commercial success of their music. Earlier this year, in March, he spoke at length about how India’s royalty system continues to leave creators with a small share of the revenue generated by their work.“There is a royalty system implemented from 2020. Javed Akhtar sahab has fought hard for this. The actor feels that if they stand on a song then the song will be a hit. That is only 50% true. The remaining 50% credit goes to the lyric writer, music composer, director and then the last comes to the singer. Singers are important, but these rights of all songs are not necessary. The producers of music has no rights to their songs but in the west that category also has song rights,” he said.To illustrate his point, Amaal referred to his hit song ‘Sooraj Dooba Hai’ from the 2015 film Roy, starring Ranbir Kapoor, explaining how little the creators earn compared to the long-term commercial value of the song.“As an Indian system, we are behind the west. Because: Taylor Swift has master royalties, he can buy back the album and release it his own way. Like the song, Sooraj Dooba Hai, I got Rs 8 lakh, and I gave it all. I have to run to my house, make this song. It requires Rs 10 lakh max. The song was made for Rs 8-10 lakh,” he said.He further admitted that while the song has continued to generate huge profits over the years, the creators have not benefited proportionately.“My understanding is on an average in the last 12 years, the song has made Rs 65 crore, I checked it 7 years ago. Now, it can make Rs 100 crore. Now, the song made for Rs 10 lakh has earned Rs 100 crore and what they have given us is Rs 15-20 lakh, but this place includes everything – all the things, the royalty. he added.Amaal also explained how the production costs reduced his own income from the project. “I pay my team that amount. After paying everything, I get a salary of Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh after a song is done,” he said.The renewed discussion comes after Tanishk Bagchi alleged that ₹8 lakh royalties for the title track of Saiyaara remained unpaid. In response, Yash Raj Films maintained that all financial obligations have been fulfilled.“Saiyaara title is a beautiful collaboration between three composers (Tanishk Bagchi along with Faheem Abdullah and Arslan Nizami). We are very grateful for their brilliance in creating a timeless song that touched a million hearts. YRF pays each collaborator their due, according to the contract, all within the agreed terms and time,” said a YRF spokesperson.