'I Was Burnt Out': Alisha Chinai Reveals She Stepped Away from Bollywood Due To Unfair And Illegal Contracts

Alisha Chinai remains one of the most influential voices in Indian pop and Bollywood music. Her unmistakable tone defined an entire generation in the 90s and early 2000s, with chart-toppers that still

echo across playlists today. Best known for the cult classic Made in India, Alisha continues to be remembered as a trendsetter who reshaped the Indian pop landscape. Recently, The Free Press Journal caught up with the singer to talk about her experience on Ek Aur Baar Kishore Kumar, her thoughts on the music industry, and the reasons she stepped away from Bollywood for such a long period.

Stepping Back from Bollywood: A Long Pause

When asked what kept her away from the Bollywood playback scene for so many years, Alisha was candid and introspective. She explained that her decision wasn’t impulsive but the result of emotional and professional exhaustion.

“Well, to be honest, I was just like bored with the Bollywood music,” she shared. “I felt a little burnt out as an artist. I wanted to do something different.”

For someone who had spent decades at the forefront of Bollywood singing, this burnout was both a creative and personal revelation. Alisha said she began to feel disconnected from the musical direction films were moving toward, prompting her to step aside rather than compromise her artistic instincts.

Industry Politics and Copyright Battles

Beyond creative fatigue, Alisha pointed toward deeper structural problems within the industry — issues that many artists hesitate to speak about openly.

“There were other reasons as well, like all the politics going on,” she revealed. She highlighted everything from copyright concerns to the lack of fairness in contractual negotiations.

“The copyright issues for artists, the injustice, and there was no fair play,” she said. “We were just being made to sign contracts which were, in my opinion, completely illegal. So, I refused to sign them, and that was another reason why people didn’t choose to call me.”

Her decision to push back against questionable agreements led to fewer opportunities, but Alisha made it clear that she stood by her principles — and did so without regret.

“It suited me fine,” she added, signalling a sense of relief rather than resentment.

A Personal Chapter That Needed Attention

Alisha also revealed that her retreat wasn’t solely due to professional circumstances. Life, too, demanded space and attention.

“I had to stay away for a very long time because I had some personal issues,” she said. Without delving into specifics, she acknowledged that this period was necessary for her well-being and growth.

“There were various reasons,” she summed up, reinforcing that her absence was multifaceted rather than a single turning point.

A Voice That Still Resonates

Despite her long pause from Bollywood, Alisha Chinai’s legacy remains vividly alive. Her decision to appear on Ek Aur Baar Kishore Kumar marks a return to a space where artistry, nostalgia, and reverence meet — a reminder of the magic she still carries effortlessly.

As fans await more from her, Alisha’s honesty about her journey sheds light not only on her own evolution but also on the changing dynamics of Bollywood music.