Why should we use Bollywood actors in music videos: Arjun Kanungo

Singer-composer Arjun Kanungo says he has a problem with record labels following this trend.

Musicians featuring movie stars in their independent singles is not uncommon, mainly because it seems to widen the reach of their songs. Singer composer Arjun Kanungo , however, doesn’t like the idea.

Singer-composer Arjun Kanungo is not a fan of film stars featuring in independent music videos.

“Frankly I think it’s a big problem. I don’t have an issue with Bollywood or actors, but with big record labels who are following this trend. The song should feature the singer somewhere, instead of a movie star lip syncing to the lyrics. Then it becomes nothing but a film song,” says Kanungo, despite featuring actor Sonal Chauhan in the video of his second single, Fursat.

“Yes, Sonal featured in my song. I am not saying that there should be no video with actors in it. But it’s an independent single, not a film song. Make the actor part of that storytelling process, and feature the singer or the artist who has composed the song. Otherwise, there will be absolutely no recognition for the artist,” he argues.

Kanungo, who recently released his third single, Ek Dafaa, adds that economics of a single “go for a toss”, when any film star gets associated with a project. “Sometimes actors turn around and say that they want more money, because a previous record label paid them more. So the entire model goes for a toss. It’s not that simple,” he says.