Shreya Ghoshal Says Bollywood Music Remains ‘Very Male-Heavy’: ‘It’s a Patriarchal, Gender-Based Thing’

Shreya Ghoshal has spoken candidly about the gender dynamics she has observed in the Hindi-film music industry, saying that Bollywood music continues to be “very male-heavy” despite some signs of change.

The celebrated playback singer also revealed that she has turned down songs in the past because she was uncomfortable with their lyrics, composition or the way they were intended to be performed.

In a recent conversation with The Male Feminist Podcast, Shreya explained that the issue cannot simply be reduced to whether a particular lyric is appropriate or inappropriate. According to her, the larger question is how female voices are represented in mainstream film music.

Shreya Ghoshal on Saying No to Songs

When asked about rejecting songs because of inappropriate lyrics, Shreya explained that her decision-making process involves several elements.

“The lyrics are one thing. There is also a composition and singing style. There were some popular songs which did very well, but I said no,” she said.

The singer acknowledged that some of the songs she declined eventually became extremely successful.

She also observed that, at one stage, female playback singers were increasingly offered a limited range of material in Hindi films.

“After a point, the songs in films became such that only those types of songs were given to female singers. The rest are male songs, and there are some romantic duets,” Shreya said.

Her comments highlight a distinction between simply having female singers on a soundtrack and giving them varied, substantial musical roles.

‘It Is a Slightly Patriarchal, Gender-Based Thing’

Shreya connected the issue to a broader gender imbalance within the entertainment industry.

“So we have to see where it is stemming from. The problem is for singers and actresses and everyone who is part of this industry. It is a slightly patriarchal, gender-based thing,” she said.

She added that the rise of independent music has begun to create more opportunities for artists outside the traditional film-music system.

“The good thing is now, because of independent music, it is changing. But still, I feel it is very male-heavy,” she added.

For Shreya, speaking openly about the issue is important even if her comments attract differing reactions.

“I have spoken very strongly about it earlier, and I don’t mind if it is taken in a good way or a bad way,” she said.

Shreya Says Independent Music Is Bringing Change

The singer’s comments come at a time when independent Indian music has become increasingly visible across streaming platforms and social media.

Unlike film soundtracks, independent releases can allow artists to have greater control over their musical direction, subject matter and collaborations.

Shreya pointed to this space as one reason she believes the situation is gradually changing.

However, she made it clear that she still considers the mainstream industry predominantly male-heavy.

Her observation also raises a broader question about the kinds of stories and perspectives that reach listeners through popular film music and how women are positioned within those songs.

Shreya Previously Spoke About ‘Chikni Chameli’

This is not the first time Shreya has reflected on some of the more suggestive songs she has performed during her career.

In a 2025 conversation with Lilly Singh, the singer discussed songs such as Chikni Chameli and acknowledged that she had sung raunchy numbers during her career.

However, Shreya said her perspective has changed with time and that there are certain songs she would not choose to sing today.

She explained that she sees an important distinction between sensuality and the objectification of women.

“There is a very fine line between being sensual, sexy, and being outright objectified, or objectifying women in general,” she said.

Why Children Singing Such Lyrics Made Her Uncomfortable

Shreya also explained why she had become more conscious about the lyrics she associates herself with.

She said that hearing young children sing songs without understanding their meanings made her reconsider how some lyrics could be perceived.

“The reason I’ve become more conscious over time is that I see little girls singing these songs without understanding their meaning,” she said.

She recalled instances where young fans would approach her and sing her songs.

“They’re just dancing to them, and they come to me saying, ‘Oh, we love your song! Can we sing it for you?’ and I feel very embarrassed,” she said.

For Shreya, the age of the child makes the situation particularly uncomfortable.

“A little girl, just five or six years old, singing those lyrics, it doesn’t sound right,” she added.

Her comments reflect how the context surrounding a song can change depending on who is listening to or performing it.

A Changing Conversation Around Women in Music

Shreya Ghoshal’s remarks add to an ongoing conversation about women’s representation in India’s popular music culture.

For decades, female playback singers have been central to Hindi cinema, producing some of the industry’s most enduring melodies. At the same time, the roles written for female voices have varied considerably across different eras.

The emergence of independent music, streaming platforms and creator-led releases has expanded the avenues available to singers beyond conventional film soundtracks.

Shreya’s comments suggest that while these changes are encouraging, she believes there is still considerable room for greater diversity in how women are represented through music.

Her decision to speak about songs she has rejected also underscores an aspect of a playback singer’s career that listeners rarely see: artists may have to make choices not only about the melody but also about lyrics, performance style and whether a song aligns with their personal boundaries.

Shreya Ghoshal’s Evolving Perspective

Shreya has spent decades as one of India’s most recognisable playback voices, singing across Hindi and several other Indian-language film industries.

Her latest comments show how her perspective on the material she performs has evolved with experience.

Rather than suggesting that every suggestive song is inherently problematic, Shreya’s argument is more nuanced: context, intent, performance and the way women are represented all matter.

At the same time, she believes the music industry still has a gender imbalance that deserves discussion.