Singer Sukhwinder Singh is upset. With the way the film industry is portrayed, the vilification of celebs, drug charges — everything. Not that he denies the problems.

“Itna negative hota jaa raha hai. It started with Coronavirus, then Sushant’s (Singh Rajput) death, then the thing with China. Drugs are a problem in the entire world, yet the film industry (is singled out),” he asserts.

The 49-year-old Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se; 1998) hitmaker adds: “Stardom is built with hard work and dedication. People yearn for a glimpse of these celebs. Social media gives an opportunity and people say whatever they want.”

He points out that while people who consume drugs are caught, there is hardly any focus on suppliers. “Maamla jald se khatam ho jaayega. Actors (could) say they take drugs in small quantities to improve their mood. They at least work, but many others sit on the roads, near the gutter. Here (in the industry), the percentage must be five, par badnaami 100% mil rahi hai,” he says.

He gives his own example — he has sung songs such as Bidi Jalai Le (Omkara, 2006) without even looking at one in real life. He says, “Drugs utna hai nahi film industry mein jitna ragad diya gaya hai. If it were such a problem, people wouldn’t be able to shoot! People who troll think ‘Hum kabhi Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh ya Varun Dhawan se mil nahi sakte, chalo unki band bajaate hain’.”