{
  "id": 5886732,
  "title": "Singer Akriti Kakar Says, ‘I Can’t Bank On Streaming Money To Live'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/singer-akriti-kakar-says-i-cant-bank-on-streaming-money-to-live",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T01:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/singer-akriti-kakar-says-i-cant-bank-on-streaming-money-to-live"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2026, independent music artists like Akriti Kakar are struggling to make ends meet through streaming platforms and algorithm-driven demand for constant output. The costs of making a music video far outweigh the meager returns from streaming, leaving live performances as the sole viable source of revenue. Kakar, an independent singer and composer, has consciously chosen to create her own music rather than rely on playback in films. She finds the freedom of expression through this path liberating, but also daunting due to the sole responsibility it entails. Bollywood has not always provided Kakar with sufficient opportunities, leading her to seek out chances independently. Despite facing a predominantly male-dominated industry, Kakar asserts that having creative freedom is far more fulfilling. She reveals that a song she composed years ago was later used in a film by Tigmanshu Dhulia, highlighting the importance of independent music in establishing a career. Kakar acknowledges that indie artists cannot sustain their lifestyles solely on streaming revenue and live shows are crucial for survival. Her latest single, \"Oh Jaanu,\" with Dr Palash Sen, pays homage to the indie pop culture of the MTV era and serves as a reminder of the need for a modern revival of that culture.",
  "summary": "In an era where independent releases outnumber film songs, Akriti Kakar has consciously refused to be defined by playback alone. The singer, who has straddled film, folk, ghazals and bhajans, is betting big on her own compositions at a time when streaming pays little and algorithms demand relentless output. It is a tough economy — one where making a music video costs more than what streaming…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}