Zubeen Garg’s manager, Siddhartha Sharma, has finally spoken up to address rumours about the late singer’s finances and music rights. After reports suggested confusion over who controls Garg’s vast catalogue and how much money he earned from it, Sharma clarified that most of the singer’s 38,000-plus songs actually belong to music labels and producers.

He wrote, “Almost all of Zubeen da’s songs, even the biggest blockbusters, were done before I entered his life. He often lamented how he was shortchanged, with producers and labels earning crores while he received only modest payments. This can be verified with those companies directly.” He then clarified that the late singer had taken steps to build ownership over some of his later works by establishing Zubeen Garg Music LLP. 

Sharma added, “The LLP has generated only a few thousand rupees monthly so far. The entire amount remains in the company account, with no withdrawals. Zubeen da owned 60 per cent of the firm, and I consider it my duty to ensure that his family rightfully inherits this stake.

As per Sharma’s statement, the royalties credited through the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) for Zubeen’s work as a composer and lyricist always went into the singer’s personal account and would now legally pass on to his wife, Garima Garg. He further stressed that he cooperated with the Special Investigation Team (SIT). 

“These rumours are baseless and deeply hurtful. I have cooperated with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing his death and will continue to do so. This is a request from one human being to another. Let the investigation proceed without fear or prejudice. We owe it to Zubeen da’s memory to pursue truth with dignity.” Zubeen passed away on September 19 after a scuba diving incident in Singapore. He was in Singapore for the Northeast India Festival.