Naturally, for India's biggest film, ever, the soundtrack has a vital role to play. Which is why Devdas' music scored by Ismail Durbar, featuring Kavita Subramaniam, Shreya Ghoshal, Udit Narayan, Jaspinder Narula, KK, Vinod Rathod and Birju Maharaj, was reportedly bought by Universal Music at a whopping Rs 120 million.
Universal Music's Vice President Vinay Sapru is unwilling to confirm the amount the label purchased the music rights to the film, saying it is "unethical" to disclose the amount. But he says, "Though Devdas has not been 'flier', it still is the largest seller at most outlets around the country. Even internally, Devdas is bigger than any of the other releases we have had, including Sur.
Devdas, has meant good business for Mehmood Cormally, director, Rhythm House, a music outlet in Mumbai who says the album has been one of their highest sellers. "The music has been doing very well, but that is not much to go by considering the depressed scenario of the Hindi film music market. Though the soundtrack features at Number 1 position on our inhouse Hindi film compilations, the appeal seems urban so I expect it will a big seller only in the metros. Though Ismail Durbar's compositions are good, it does not have the mass appeal of, say, a Dil Toh Pagal Hai or Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham.
"We all know the music was sold for huge sums. As for returns on investment, it does not have to boil down only to sales. There must be other spin-off payments the music company might be receiving," he adds .
Commenting on the other more recent releases like Mujhe Dosti Karoge, Sur and Viva, Cormally says three or four concurrent hits at the same time come as good news to the industry. Though the sales now have been steady, once the film releases, he says sales could rise, dependent of course on the success of the film and more importantly the picturisation of its songs.
http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jul/10musdev.htm 
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Edited By arsh on July 10 2002 at 13:50
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