In a pivotal moment for India’s entertainment sector, the Music Composers Association of India (MCAI) and the Screenwriters Association (SWA) have forged a transformative partnership that is set to redefine creative collaboration across Bollywood and beyond.

This landmark memorandum of understanding, finalized after extensive negotiations, recognizes composers and lyricists as “equal co-authors” in the creation of songs, granting both parties the status of “primary artists” for credit purposes. The agreement requires separate contracts with producers, enabling both composers and lyricists to negotiate independently as leaders in their respective domains.

“Every note of music tells a story, and every word of a lyric brings it to life,” remarked filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj, who is also the president of MCAI. The acclaimed artist behind hits like “Khufiya” (2023), “Haider” (2014), and “Omkara” (2006) described the agreement as “more than just a contract; it’s a commitment to ensuring fair credit, respect, and independence for all who contribute to the magic of music.” He emphasized that this milestone stems from “a shared dedication to fostering a fair and collaborative future—one where creative contributions are acknowledged, valued, and safeguarded.”

Zama Habib, the general secretary of SWA and the screenwriter behind the hugely popular Star India TV series “Anupamaa” and “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai,” described the MoU as a “declaration” that lyricists and music directors are united as “co-artists, ensuring fair credit, mutual respect, and professional independence.”

The agreement is the result of thorough discussions involving SWA’s lyrics team, which includes Puneet Sharma, Raj Shekhar, Hussain Haidry, Danish Javed, and Shellee, alongside MCAI representatives Indrajit Sharma and Vipin Mishra. Senior lyricists Sameer Anjaan, Mayur Puri, Swanand Kirkire, and Varun Grover also played a significant role in shaping this agreement.

“A music room with a composer and a lyricist who trust each other is a beautiful place,” noted Raj Shekhar, an Executive Committee Member of SWA and the writer behind hits for Netflix’s “Mismatched,” Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s “Animal” (2023), and Aanand L. Rai’s “Tanu Weds Manu” (2011). “This MoU will make the song-making process equal, transparent, responsible, and rewarding for both parties… This is historic.”

The framework is especially advantageous for emerging talent, establishing a “fair business and fair creative practices module” for collaborations across Indian cinema and television, as highlighted in the agreement.