Composer Amaal Mallik opened up about the hurdles he faced to bring Sonu Nigam on board for the reprised song “Mere Dholna 3.0” from Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, citing restrictive practices in the Hindi music industry.
In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Amaal said composers often lack freedom to choose singers and may be replaced if their choices conflict with production or label decisions. He recalled how Sonu Nigam, despite being a legendary singer, had to “prove” himself before being confirmed for the track.
“They weren’t sure about someone like Sonu Nigam. Yet he finished the toughest song I’ve recomposed in just 45 minutes,” Amaal said, adding that the final sargam at the song’s end is extremely challenging.
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Amaal also highlighted the industry’s arbitrary decisions, noting that teams frequently suggest popular singers like Arijit Singh or Vishal Mishra over classical talents. He said Sonu Nigam was the only singer capable of delivering the classical depth he wanted.
The composer further revealed the financial imbalance in the industry, citing his party hit “Sooraj Dooba Hain,” which earned Rs 60–70 crore for the label, while he only received minimal publishing rights.
#With inputs from NDTV