The Bollywood music industry is undergoing a vocal revolution, with male playback singers pushing boundaries into ultra-high octaves. Babul Supriyo, celebrated singer and ex-parliamentarian, opened up about this shift and its ripple effects on female counterparts.
In an exclusive interview, Supriyo revealed that the trend compels proficient female singers to downshift their pitches dramatically. ‘These women, brimming with talent, are left with little option but to opt for lower registers, sometimes diluting the purity of their voices,’ he shared.
He elaborated on broader changes: playback tracks now integrate continuous background scores, moving away from conventional lip-sync formats. To underscore his point, Supriyo cited the epic ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion in Titanic, which shone primarily as atmospheric backing rather than lead vocals.
Supriyo also weighed in on Arijit Singh’s bold pivot from commercial playback to indie projects. ‘Arijit is sharp-minded, deeply passionate, and a true gem among singers – both artistically and personally,’ he commended. Dismissing fan frenzy, he called for patience: ‘Let’s hold our cheers, trust his vision, and see the brilliance he’ll unleash next.’
This perspective from a seasoned insider sheds light on evolving artist roles, signaling a new era where vocal versatility meets modern production techniques in Hindi film music.