As Kumar Sanu backs Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit over long shoot hours, Aditya Narayan opens up about industry burnout, nepotism, and the need for systemic change. In a candid chat, he shares his own struggles, thoughts on independent music, and why speaking with conscience matters more than ever. Excerpts… Kumar Sanu recently endorsed a more humane, 8-hour shooting day after Deepika Padukone’s departure from Spirit due to grueling hours — do you think similar reforms are due in music production and film sets? Yes, absolutely. We glorify hustle to the point of harm. Burnout is real — I’ve lived it. Whether it’s endless shoots or overnight dubbings, the pressure can be immense. The creative process needs rest, reflection, and respect for people’s well-being. An exhausted artist may deliver a product, but rarely art.In the backdrop of Sonu Nigam‘s battles against alleged ‘music mafia’ structures in Bollywood — do you think independent artists like yourself get enough space, or is more disruption needed in the system?There’s some space now — more than before — but it’s still not enough. The gatekeeping hasn’t vanished; it’s just taken new forms. Independent artists need more platforms, transparency, and respect. We shouldn’t have to fight so hard just to be heard. The system still needs shaking up, and the audience is the real disruptor now.Do you feel celebrities should take moral responsibility by speaking out on sensitive topics? Or do you feel it risks alienating audiences?I believe every artist should speak when moved by conscience — not for noise, but for truth. That said, not everyone is built the same. Some heal through silence, others through speech. What matters is the intention. If it comes from love and empathy, then even disagreement can lead to dialogue, not division.From your vantage point, is nepotism still a barrier for outsiders now, or has the digital age leveled the field?Nepotism exists — that’s reality. But today, talent can bypass it. If you have a voice, a vision, and the will to keep showing up, the digital space can open doors. That said, the emotional cost for outsiders is still higher. The system needs to support newcomers better, but the audience — now more than ever — is in charge of writing the real story.
