Reshammiya insists on buying music rights before scoring any film

Himesh Reshammiya has told producers he will only compose for a movie if he also acquires its music rights, a non‑negotiable rule he calls his music label model. The model runs through his label Himesh Reshammiya Melodies, set up in 2021 and co‑owned with his wife Sonia Kapoor. He is gearing up for two November releases – Sooraj Barjatya’s romance Yeh Prem Mol Liya and Aditya Datt’s action‑romance Gunmaaster G9. Rajshri Films, the backer of Yeh Prem Mol Liya, asked him to merely compose without buying the rights; he refused, reminding them he pays the market price for rights in addition to his composer fee. The stance echoes his earlier collaboration with Rajshri on the 2015 hit Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, yet he made no exception then either, saying he is not desperate and will not bend for anyone. He admits the condition has cost him several projects, but he remains content with his current position. Reshammiya says his creative process starts by listening to his own music; if the tunes do not fit the film’s romantic vibe, he walks away, as his brand is built on hit love songs. The Yeh Prem Mol Liya album contains six tracks, with three – the title song, “Jai Ambe Bol” and “Jhumka Patola” – already out. Gunmaaster G9’s album has released two songs so far, “Afsaana Banaaya Aapne” and “Do Din Ki Zindagi”. The film reunites director Aditya Datt and actor Emraan Hashmi with Reshammiya after 21 years since Aashiq Banaya Aapne, and also stars Genelia D'Souza and Aparshakti Khurana.

Context

In Bollywood, music rights are often sold to separate companies that earn revenue from streaming and sales. Reshammiya’s approach of buying the rights himself gives him full control over distribution and profits, aligning the music’s success directly with his brand.