Zubeen Garg’s Manager Issues First Statement Amid Reports Of SIT Raid

Zubeen Garg's long-time manager, Siddhartha Sharma, spoke out on Friday to clear up confusion regarding the singer’s music catalogue and earnings. In a statement, Sharma explained that most of Garg’s extensive

body of work - over 38,000 songs - is legally owned by different music companies and production houses. He added that the singer received one-time payments for the majority of these recordings, including his most popular tracks.Sharma’s clarification comes in response to widespread speculation about Garg’s income from his songs and the ownership of his music rights. According to him, while Garg’s contributions as a singer were enormous, the contractual arrangements meant that the long-term profits largely belong to the companies that produced the music.

Zubeen Garg’s Manager Gives Update On Singer’s Music Rights And Royalties Following Reported SIT Raid At Home

"Almost all of Zubeen da's songs, even the biggest blockbusters, were done before I entered his life. He often lamented how he was shortchanged, with producers and labels earning crores while he received only modest payments. This can be verified with those companies directly," Sharma wrote.Seeking to clear misconceptions, Sharma said that in 2021, the music maestro had taken steps to build ownership over some of his later works by establishing Zubeen Garg Music LLP, the only business entity he partnered in.The venture released around 20 songs with a total investment of about Rs 10 lakh, of which the singer himself contributed Rs 6 lakh."The LLP has generated only a few thousand rupees monthly so far. The entire amount remains in the company account, with no withdrawals. Zubeen da owned 60 per cent of the firm, and I consider it my duty to ensure that his family rightfully inherits this stake," Sharma added.He also stressed that royalties credited through the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) -- for Zubeen Garg's work as a composer and lyricist -- always went directly into the singer's personal account, and would now legally pass on to his wife Garima Garg.The late singer's manager also firmly denied allegations that he had exploited Zubeen's trust or finances."These rumours are baseless and deeply hurtful. I have cooperated with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing his death and will continue to do so," Sharma said.Calling for restraint, he urged Zubeen's fans and the public not to be swayed by misinformation. "This is a request from one human being to another. Let the investigation proceed without fear or prejudice. We owe it to Zubeen da's memory to pursue truth with dignity," he concluded.

The clarification comes amid intense speculation over the singer's assets following his untimely death in Singapore in the previous week.For the unversed, according to an India Today report, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) carried out a raid at the home of the manager as part of the ongoing probe into the singer’s death. The raid took place on Thursday morning. Inputs Credit: IANS