Bollywood blatantly copying Pakistani songs is not new. While our nascent film industry does take inspiration from their movie plots, Bollywood has never shied away from stealing our music that too without any credit.
From copying Dil Dil Pakistan to Dila Teer Bija, they did not even spare our patriotic and political party songs, let alone our film songs. Kundi na kharka, hawa hawa, kinna sohna tenu rab ne banaya, mer piya ghar aaya, Zalima coca cola pila de; the list is never ending.
India took no time to ban Pakistani artists from working in Bollywood during a Pakistan India conflict just a few years ago, yet their move has never deterred them from copying our songs. Recently, Bollywood film maker Karan Johar released the trailer of his movie JugJugg Jeeyo starring Anil Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Varun Dhawan and Kiara Advani. While everyone was excited to see it, Pakistani fans were quick to recognize a familiar tune. Yes! This time, it was none other than Abrar Ul Haq’s punjabi song Nach Punjaban.
After the trailer went viral, netizens were quick to share the clip of the hit Pakistani song and criticized the celebrated Indian filmmaker for stealing the song. Singer Abrar ul Haq also took to Twitter to condemn the blatant disregard of stealing art without any credit and sai he had not sold his song. He also said that “producers like Karan Johar” should not copy songs. He also threatened legal action to claim damages.
I have not sold my song “ Nach Punjaban” to any Indian movie and reserve the rights to go to court to claim damages. Producers like @karanjohar should not use copy songs. This is my 6th song being copied which will not be allowed at all.@DharmaMovies @karanjohar
— Abrar Ul Haq (@AbrarUlHaqPK) May 22, 2022
However, Indian record label ‘Music Box’ has denied Pakistani singer Abrar Ul Haq’s accusation that Karan Johar stole his song Nach Punjaban saying that his tweet is “defamatory and completely unacceptable.” Refusing the allegations, Movie Box issued a tweet, claiming that the classic Pakistani song has been “officially licensed” to be included in the family drama.
