Aulad Ke Liye Faulad Banna Baap Ka Duty Hai": Veteran Music Director Anand Raaj Anand Weighs In on Nepotism

Veteran music director and singer Anand Raaj Anand, who has composed and voiced some of Bollywood’s most enduring melodies over the decades, continues to find renewed appreciation as digital platforms, podcasts, and social media introduce his catalog to newer generations. Reflecting on his ongoing journey and the evolving music business landscape, the composer expressed a grounded perspective on industry dynamics, career longevity, and the changing demands of public visibility.

Addressing the long-standing conversation surrounding nepotism in entertainment, Anand emphasized that the music industry operates primarily on raw talent rather than legacy. While acknowledging that parent-led opportunities exist across fields, he believes supporting one's children is a natural duty rather than a flaw in the system. Highlighting his own family, he shared that his younger daughter is pursuing singing while his son is preparing to launch an independent music label to manage strategic operations, allowing Anand to remain entirely focused on his creative output.

Reflecting on the contrast between his early hit-making era and today's digital environment, Anand observed that public engagement now relies heavily on continuous media presence. While acknowledged that visibility is crucial for staying in the audience's consciousness, he firmly believes that media noise alone cannot substitute for genuine artistic quality. According to the composer, lasting success requires a foundation of strong content; a track must possess genuine musical merit to sustain long-term popularity.

Recounting his foundational years, Anand revealed that his earliest composition lessons came from analyzing audience reactions inside cinema halls during his youth in Delhi. Moving to Mumbai as one of the few Delhi-based Punjabi music directors of his time, the fear of navigate an unfamiliar industry pushed him to write, compose, and sing his own material. That multi-faceted self-reliance eventually yielded timeless chartbusters that continue to be played across streaming platforms today.

Looking toward future creative collaborations, Anand expressed keen interest in working with modern lyricists such as Jaani, Kumaar, Irshad Kamil, and Amitabh Bhattacharya, noting that writing remains one of the most demanding aspects of song creation. Free from early career anxieties and energized by the rediscovery of his discography, the veteran composer remains focused on delivering high-quality work, maintaining that his best creative phase is still ahead of him.