Covering Bollywood and the Hindi Cinema

In an industry which is primary moved by money, Aamir Khan makes of a different specimen. The actor returned a  loyalty cheque from the All India Radio (AIR) who had been playing Lagaan's songs for six years since its release in 2001.

Aamir, who produced Lagaan, returned the cheque back with a personalised letter stating that the film's music rights have been sold to Sony Music and the cheque should be sent to them.    
A source from the Central Sales Unit of AIR says, "We were very shocked to get the cheque back. So far, most production houses have only complained that they don't get any royalty for their music. We had sent 50 percent of the royalty amount to Aamir and 50 percent to Sony Music through our Delhi unit, Commercial Broadcasting Services. However we were surprised as this is the first time that a production house has sent back a cheque saying that the music company owns the rights of the music and they are the rightful owners of the royalty amount. We need more producers like him in the industry."

Shanujit Bhujabal, Marketing and Acquisitions head Sonu Music, says, "I am not aware of this. Sony BMG owns the master recording and publishing rights of Lagaan's songs. But, it is a nice gesture at Aamir's end."