Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Sameer Criticizes Bollywood’s Shift From Songs To Background Music
Veteran lyricist Sameer talked about how Bollywood music is changing.
He said many films now use songs only in the background.
He believes this makes songs less important to the story.
Sameer also said that hiring only young artists may reduce musical variety.
He clarified that young musicians can be talented.
He thinks older and younger artists should work together.
He used Dhurandhar as an example of a film where action happens while a song plays behind it.
He believes good songs can remain popular for many years.
He also questioned why major production companies no longer support music as strongly as before.
Veteran lyricist Sameer said Bollywood’s growing preference for young talent has reduced musical variety and quality.
He argued that experienced artists and younger creators should collaborate rather than being separated by age.
Sameer said contemporary Hindi films increasingly use songs as background elements instead of integrating them into storytelling.
He cited Dhurandhar and its recreated song as examples of music playing behind action rather than driving the scene.
Sameer said established production houses once supported strong film music more actively than they do today.
- Who
- Veteran lyricist Sameer discussed Bollywood music with Komal Nahta and referred to artists including Arijit Singh, Nadeem Saifi and others.
- What
- Sameer criticized Bollywood’s reduced musical variety, reliance on young talent and use of songs as background music.
- When
- The comments were made during a conversation with Komal Nahta; no date was provided.
- Where
- The discussion concerned Bollywood and Hindi film music.
- Why
- Sameer said these practices have weakened the quality, variety and storytelling role of film songs.
Sameer’s Criticism
Current Bollywood Practice
Use of songs
Sameer’s Criticism
Sameer said songs should be meaningful parts of a film’s storytelling and criticized placing them behind action sequences.
Current Bollywood Practice
The practice described in the discussion uses songs as background elements while other action unfolds on screen.
Choice of talent
Sameer’s Criticism
Sameer argued that established artists should continue receiving opportunities alongside younger creators.
Current Bollywood Practice
The industry approach he described increasingly favors young talent and newer collaborators.
Musical variety
Sameer’s Criticism
Sameer said a lack of variety has made contemporary Hindi film music monotonous and affected singers’ opportunities.
Current Bollywood Practice
The current sound, as characterized by Sameer, relies on similar musical styles across many songs.
- Speaker
- Veteran lyricist Sameer
- Interviewer
- Komal Nahta
- Main criticism
- Songs are increasingly being used as background elements rather than as part of storytelling.
- Talent concern
- Sameer said the preference for young artists may have come at the cost of variety and quality.
- Suggested approach
- He advocated combining the experience of established artists with the energy of younger talent.
- Film cited
- Sameer cited Dhurandhar and its recreated song during action scenes.
- Industry concern
- He questioned whether major production houses still patronize good songs as they once did.