Overview

• Chinai recounted in a new Zoom interview published October 6 that she was offered only Rs 15,000 for singing the 2005 hit ‘Kajra Re’ and declined the payment.
• She said the cheque was repeatedly sent back to her and described feeling hurt by what she viewed as a lack of value placed on singers.
• The singer framed her experience within broader industry concerns, citing fights over royalties, the so-called music mafia, and resistance to harassment.
• ‘Kajra Re’ featured in Bunty Aur Babli, was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, and was sung by Chinai alongside Shankar Mahadevan and Javed Ali; the track later earned her a Filmfare award, according to Indian Express.
• The coverage cites Chinai’s account and does not include independent verification of the payment amount or a response from Yash Raj Films.