The Indian film industry has established a groundbreaking partnership between the Music Composers Association of India (MCAI) and the Screenwriters Association (SWA) to ensure fair credits for creative professionals.

Under the new agreement, composers and lyricists will be recognized as 'equal co-authors' in song creation and designated as 'primary artists.' This change allows them to negotiate independent contracts with producers, marking a significant shift from previous practices.

The reform addresses long-standing issues in Bollywood, where writers and composers often face credit omission and payment delays. Writer-lyricist Varun Grover highlights this problem, citing how even renowned lyricists like Gulzar and Javed Akhtar's names are frequently missing from YouTube music channels.

MCAI president and filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj emphasizes that the agreement ensures fair credit, respect, and independence for all creative contributors. The initiative particularly benefits younger industry professionals who have historically faced unfavorable contract terms.

The SWA represents over 57,000 fellow members across multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, and many regional languages. With 8,000 regular members, the association serves as a crucial trade union for writers in films, television, and digital platforms.

This partnership marks a significant step toward recognizing and protecting creative rights in the Indian film industry, aligning it more closely with global standards while addressing unique local challenges.

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