The actor-dancer reveals how the industry benefits from her viral dance numbers while she earns nothing from streaming and publishing royalties.
March 8, 2025: Actor-dancer Nora Fatehi, widely recognized for her electrifying dance performances in Bollywood, has opened up about the financial imbalance in the industry. In a recent interview with BBC Asian Network, she candidly shared how music labels and film producers have profited from her viral hit songs while she was not compensated for them.
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Nora Fatehi on Unfair Industry Practices
Nora became a household name with dance numbers like Dilbar, Garmi, O Saki Saki, and Ek Toh Kum Zindagani, which significantly contributed to the success of the films they were featured in. However, she revealed that despite the songs breaking the internet and influencing box-office numbers, she did not receive any revenue from their streaming or publishing rights.
“When I started featuring in songs that were helping films succeed and driving box-office numbers, I realized that everyone was earning from them except me. There are YouTube revenues, streaming rights, and even films benefiting from the hype of these tracks—yet I was doing them for free,” Nora explained.
She further elaborated that her income primarily comes from live performances, events, and shows rather than digital royalties, adding,
“There are no IPs, no publishing royalties, but I understand that it is what it is.”
‘Fighting the System is Not an Option’
Rather than battling the industry’s deeply entrenched structure, Nora revealed that she has chosen to find a way around it.
“Instead of fighting the system, I found a way to continue doing dance numbers while ensuring my financial security. I’m grateful for these opportunities, but I also have to think about sustainability and safeguarding my future.”
She highlighted the importance of generational wealth, expressing her concerns over financial security.
“What is the point of being the ‘Dilbar girl’ for my kids if I don’t have revenue to show for it? Legacy matters, and so does financial security.”
Nora’s Upcoming Projects
Nora Fatehi continues to be one of the most sought-after performers in Bollywood. In 2024, she starred in films like Crakk, Madgaon Express, and Matka. Her upcoming projects include the Hindi film Be Happy, Tamil horror-thriller Kanchana 4, and Kannada action film KD – The Devil. She was also recently seen in singer Jason Derulo’s track Snake.
With her growing awareness of the industry’s financial dynamics, Nora Fatehi is now focusing on ensuring that she not only entertains but also secures her future as an artist.
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