Renowned lyricist and Padma Bhushan awardee Javed Akhtar has thanked the Government for the strict implementation of the copyright law and for helping musicians get their due royalties. Addressing an event today in New Delhi, he said that artists earned around 730 crore rupees last year in royalties. He added that talks have been going on to expand the scope of copyright, and the government has so far been cooperative and helpful in this matter.

Mr Akhtar also welcomed the use of Artificial Intelligence in the art and entertainment sector, including in the inaugural AI film festival as part of the upcoming 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa. He emphasised that its growth cannot be contained and artists should find ways to use it to their own benefit. However, he called for proper compensation to be paid to artists whose work the AI models are based their work.

Mr Akhtar appreciated the support of the Ministry of Culture and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts for their crucial role in empowering artists and promoting unique cultural initiatives.