Profit Sharing for Composers, Is It a Good Trend?

Profit sharing is an alternative financial model adopted by directors and actors in movie industry. Besides quoting a hefty remuneration, some top league artists in every film industry demand some percentage of the overall profits as their share before signing the dotted line for big-ticket films. 

Over the years, producers got accustomed to this stipulation with some terms and conditions so that it is a win-win situation for both sides. Many big-ticket actors and top tier directors in different languages still continue the same strategy even till today. 

Surprisingly, leading music directors are likely follow suit and embrace this tactic from now onwards. Recently, there were reports that Oscar winning composer AR Rahman has set a new record by taking home the highest ever remuneration for a music director in the history of Indian cinema. 

It is learnt that Rahman has quoted a staggering price for Ranbir Kapoor’s two part franchise Ramayana and also secured a handsome deal with the producer to get a percentage of share in the profits. If this is true,  this is probably the first time that a music director is going to get profits in a film’s business. 

Maybe, the makers of Ramayana felt that there is no wrong in conceding to the demands of some one like AR Rahman who has a long standing reputation and stupendous track record in delivering blockbuster albums and scintillating background score. But, there lies a bigger financial risk for filmmakers if this trend slowly gains traction. 

Already, many heroes, heroines and even directors in Bollywood and South cinema have adopted this working model for big-budget films. If music directors also join the same trend, producers will have to further forego a portion of their profits. 

Apart from Rahman, there are many other leading composers who are being paid a whopping remuneration. So, it will be more burdensome for producers as far as the budget and other financial aspects are concerned if every musician demands share in profits.