Singers are finally claiming the spotlight they deserve: Shilpa Rao | Hindi Movie News

Shilpa Rao advocates for a significant shift in Bollywood, urging musicians to step into the spotlight from their traditional background roles. She observes a growing trend where artists are actively claiming their deserved recognition, citing instances like “Saiyara” where musicians introduced the film. This gradual movement sees musicians engaging more, leading to sold-out concerts and a powerful, evolving industry landscape.

In an industry where playback voices have long remained in the shadows of on-screen stars, Shilpa Rao is making a clear pitch: it’s time for musicians to take the spotlight. The singer, known for her evocative performances and genre-spanning repertoire, says the Bollywood music scene is witnessing a quiet but powerful shift, one where artists are stepping forward, owning the stage, and drawing audiences in for the music itself. “I think musicians and singers deserve to be put more at the forefront,” says Shilpa Rao. “A great example is Saiyara, where the musicians actually led the introduction of the film. Filmmaker Mohit Suri said he wanted the musicians to introduce the film to the people—that’s exactly the kind of shift we need across the industry. Musicians should take center stage.” That shift, she admits, is gradual. “Change doesn’t happen overnight or with just one person. Every musician today is stepping up, they’re showing up, speaking out, doing interviews, and commanding the centrestage during performances and killing it. Music concerts are selling out and growing bigger and better, and that’s all thanks to the musicians. It’s a great time in India because musicians, singers are finally claiming the spotlight they deserve. This movement is only going to grow stronger from here.”