Mumbai Jan 26 (NationPress) Renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has addressed the longstanding issue of artists and singers delivering chart-topping hits while lacking the ability to claim ownership over them. During the launch event for the Goongoonalo app, Akhtar expressed his concerns.

“For many years, artists have generated immense value, yet ownership seldom remained with them,” he stated.

He praised the initiative of the app, adding, “Goongoonalo transforms that dynamic. It serves not merely as a platform — it symbolizes a commitment that creators possess rights to their work, their voices, and their futures.”

Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan emphasized,

“Music has traditionally thrived on collaboration, but equality has often been absent. What we are establishing here enables artists to create freely, without financial burdens or compromises — allowing them to genuinely own their collective creations.”

Composer Sulaiman Merchant highlighted the creative evolution at the core of this movement, stating,

“For the first time in my career, I am producing music devoid of briefs, formulas, or deadlines dictated by commercial interests. I am crafting music because it deserves to exist — and sharing it knowing it will resonate with audiences unaltered. That liberty reshapes everything.”

Discussing the Goongoonalo app, it has made its debut in India’s music scene with 100 original songs available on its first day.

For those unfamiliar, every collaborator on Goongoonalo co-owns the music they produce and maintains copyright.

This offers creators the opportunity to become investors and stakeholders within the ecosystem itself.

Co-founder Sridhar Ranganathan remarked,

“Artist-fan interactions should not feel mechanized or algorithm-based. At Goongoonalo, we are developing technology that rekindles intimacy — where fans do not merely consume music, but engage in the artist’s journey, enabling artists to reclaim that relationship without intermediaries.”

Sherley Singh, CEO of Goongoonalo, noted,

“Goongoonalo emerged from attentive listening — understanding what artists have endured over the years. This platform is founded on principles of transparency, equitable participation, and direct connection. These 100 songs are not just a launch strategy; they exemplify that when creators are endowed with ownership and clarity, they opt for collaboration over control and community over competition.”

Artist-investors present at the event included Javed Akhtar, Hariharan, Shankar Mahadevan, Prasoon Joshi, Shreya Ghoshal, Sameer Anjaan, Shaan, Angaraag Mahanta (Papon), Milind Shrivastava, Anand Shrivastava, Vijay Prakash, Lalit Pandit, Akriti Kakkar, Akshay Hariharan, Anupam Roy, Anusha Mani, Joshua Singh, Mannan Shaah, Mayur Puri, Nitin Shankar, Rachel Singh, Raju Singh, Darshan Rathod, Sanjeev Rathod, Shivam Mahadevan, Siddharth Mahadevan, Souumil Shringarpure, among others.

Attendees included Shabana Azmi, Jaaved Jaaferi, Leslee Lewis, Abhijeet Sawant, Bianca Gomes, Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, Siddhartha Roy, Somesh Mathur, Suneeta Rao, Shraddha Pandit, along with many others from the realms of music, film, and culture.