That Sonu Nigam isn’t too happy with the current Bollywood music scene is common knowledge. Having spent over two decades in the industry, the singer has, time and again, called out issues with the status of singers and quality of music. And now, he has made another statement in that direction.

At the Agenda Aaj Tak summit, he took a jab at the popularity of Pakistani singers in India. "Sometimes, I feel as if it would have been better if I were from Pakistan. At least I would get offers from India," he said.

The singer went on to make a comparison between the treatment meted out to Indian and Pakistani singers, claiming that the former are being forced to pay to perform at shows. "Nowadays, singers have to pay music companies for shows. If we don’t shell out the money, they will play songs sung by other singers and highlight them. Then, they will take money from them," he claimed.

However, he revealed that things are different with Pakistani singers. "Why single out Indian singers? They don’t do the same with Pakistani singers. Atif Aslam is a very close friend of mine. He is never asked to pay to sing at shows, neither is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan," he said.

Sonu blamed this on the increasing number of remixes nowadays. "Earlier, composers, lyricists and singers created a song. Now, music companies have taken over that job," he said.

When it comes to calling a spade a spade, Sonu isn’t one to mince words. Last year, the singer had ignited a nationwide debate after asking for ban on the use of loudspeakers at religious places. The controversy led to him shaving off his head as well as quitting Twitter.