Anuv Jain on turning down Bollywood: independent music gives creative, financial freedom
Synopsis
Anuv Jain is turning down Bollywood — not out of hesitation, but from a position of strength. His independent catalogue has built him a loyal audience and financial security, giving him the rare luxury of waiting for the right film project. He also named Shreya Ghoshal as his dream collaborator and called Arijit Singh a generational benchmark.
Key Takeaways
Anuv Jain has received multiple Bollywood offers but is waiting for the right project before making his film music debut.
He credits his independent music releases for providing both financial stability and creative freedom.
Jain named Arijit Singh as a generational benchmark and expressed admiration for Atif Aslam , Sonu Nigam , Shaan , and Lata Mangeshkar .
His dream collaboration is with Shreya Ghoshal , whom he described as having a ‘beautiful and incredible voice.’ Jain’s approach reflects a growing trend of independent Indian artists leveraging digital audiences to maintain artistic control.
Singer-songwriter Anuv Jain has revealed that while Bollywood offers have been flowing in, he is in no hurry to make the leap — crediting his thriving independent music career for giving him the creative and financial security to stay selective. The Mumbai-based artist spoke candidly about his philosophy toward film music and the inspirations that have shaped his journey.
Why Anuv Jain Is Saying No to Bollywood — For Now
Despite multiple overtures from the Hindi film industry, Jain says he has consciously chosen to wait for the right fit. “There have been a few offers from Bollywood, and I would really like to wait for the right project to come my way. I’m quite selective,” he said.
He was careful to clarify that his restraint stems from a desire for quality, not any dismissiveness toward the industry. “It’s not out of any disrespect to anybody, but I feel that if I do something, I want to do it right and give it my best,” he added.
Independent Music as the Foundation
Jain attributes his ability to turn down seemingly attractive opportunities to the strong base his independent releases have built. “I’ve been very fortunate that all the music I’ve released independently has helped me build a strong foundation for myself, both financially and in terms of my audience,” he explained.
He continued, “That has also given me the luxury of being a little more selective and not necessarily getting into things that may seem like very good opportunities but don’t truly align with what I feel.” This model — where independent success underwrites artistic integrity — is increasingly visible among India’s new generation of singer-songwriters, many of whom have built loyal digital-first audiences without traditional film-industry backing.
The Artists He Looks Up To
Reflecting on his influences, Jain named some of the most celebrated voices in Indian music. He described Arijit Singh as “a benchmark for our generation and someone we all look up to.” He also expressed deep admiration for Atif Aslam, praising his work including his celebrated contributions to Coke Studio as “absolutely amazing.”
Jain extended his respect to veterans Sonu Nigam, Shaan, and the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, calling them artists he has grown up listening to and continues to admire.
A Dream Collaboration with Shreya Ghoshal
When asked about a dream collaboration, Jain did not hesitate. He singled out Shreya Ghoshal as the artist he would most love to work with. “Shreya Ghoshal has such a beautiful and incredible voice. I would genuinely love to have the opportunity to work with her someday and write something for her. I think that would be really special,” he said.
As India’s independent music ecosystem continues to mature — with streaming platforms amplifying artists outside the Bollywood pipeline — Jain’s trajectory signals that the balance of leverage is slowly shifting in favour of creators who build their own audiences first.
Point of View
But also the reason he can afford to say no. Whether the film industry adjusts its terms to accommodate such artists — or whether independent stars increasingly bypass it altogether — will define the next chapter of Indian pop music.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Anuv Jain not doing Bollywood music yet?
Anuv Jain says he is waiting for the right project rather than accepting any available offer. He has stated that his independent music has given him the financial security and audience base to be selective, so he sees no reason to rush into a film that does not align with his artistic values.
How has independent music helped Anuv Jain financially?
Jain has said that his independently released music has built a strong financial foundation and a loyal audience, giving him the freedom to turn down opportunities that do not feel right. He described this as a ‘luxury’ that his independent success has afforded him.
Who are Anuv Jain’s musical inspirations?
Jain has named Arijit Singh, Atif Aslam, Sonu Nigam, Shaan, and Lata Mangeshkar as artists he deeply admires. He called Arijit Singh a generational benchmark and praised Atif Aslam’s Coke Studio work as ‘absolutely amazing.’
Who does Anuv Jain want to collaborate with?
Anuv Jain has revealed that his dream collaboration is with Shreya Ghoshal. He described her voice as ‘beautiful and incredible’ and said he would love to write something for her someday, calling it something that ‘would be really special.’
What is Anuv Jain known for?
Anuv Jain is a Mumbai-based singer-songwriter known for his independent Hindi and English music, which has garnered a substantial digital-first following on streaming platforms. He has built his reputation outside the traditional Bollywood music system.
