Thodisi To Lift Karadey

'Thodisi To Lift Karadey', sang Adnan Sami, not too long ago. Well, little does he know that our Bollywood music directors have taken his advice seriously! To elaborate… Put on any radio or television channel and you are bound to hear the songs from two of the latest movies namely Aashiq Banaya Aapne and Chocolate. The foot tapping songs from these respective movies are heating up the airwaves. And fast. But perhaps the listeners aren't even aware that their favorite numbers are a direct rip off. Ironic, isn't it?

Himesh Reshammiya and Pritam are the latest culprits to join the Bollywood copycat brigade. To begin with, reports have been doing the rounds that Himesh Reshammiya, who has the score of Aashiq Banaya Aapne to his credit, has blatantly lifted the track Dillagi from Ali Zafar's Rangeen from his 2003 album, Huqa Pani. That's not all. Another track namely Marjawan is a rip off from Faakhir's 2002 album, Aatish. Many people believe that the originals sound way better than the duplicates.

Now let's come to our alleged Copycat No.2, Pritam of Dhoom and Chocolate fame. The fact that from the promos, the movie itself looks like a copy of The Usual Suspects is a different matter altogether. Back to the music, the track Zahreeli Raatein from Chocolate sounds suspiciously like a faster, remixed version of the Pakistani band Jal's Aadat. On the other hand, Bheega Bheega Sa has lyrics that are almost identical to Abrar Ul Haq's song from his 2001 album Main Gaddi Aap Chalawan Ga. The only difference is that Abrar Ul Haq's version is titled December. Well, thank God for small mercies!

According to Himesh, “I have nothing to do with the two tracks, and I haven't taken credit for them. These questions should be directed to Aditya Datt, the director of the film.” However, Aditya Datt was unavailable for comment. Pritam also does not accept responsibility for the tracks from Chocolate that are said to be copied. “I haven't done the song Zahreeli Raatein. In fact the song is not even a part of the film. It is merely added for promotional purposes. As for Zahreeli Raatein, sounding similar to Jal's Aadat, I haven't heard the latter, but I'm told that it sounds similar. In fact, I have had my friends calling me and telling me the same thing. But I have never taken credit for the song and I am not responsible,” clarified Pritam.

It is always easy to play the blame game. But ultimately it is the original artist who has to bear the brunt of this 'lifting.' Ask Ali Zafar! He comments, “I would've felt healthier had they done a great job. I would've felt gratified had they asked my permission. And lastly, I would've felt honored had they asked me to sing it and help them out with it. Now I'm just pissed.” Well, his anger is definitely justified. They say imitation is the best form of flattery. But Ali Zafar is not flattered! The fact remains that the music is blatantly copied. It is high time that Bollywood got a little original and started accepting responsibility for this copied music.