MUMBAI: It isn’t uncommon that hit Bollywood numbers and even scripts are ripped off from around the world. While several music composers and makers generously credit the original source, some manage to get away without the controversies, while some just get unlucky. Ranbir Kapoor’s ‘Pyar Ki Ghanti’ number from the upcoming ‘Besharam’ falls into the third list.
The song apparently is lifted from an Italian number, Bella Ciao, a song popular in the 1940’s and re-recorded by Italian singer, Giovanna Daffini in 1962. The song has been in the public domain (for over 60 years and any one can use it), and hence, composer Lalit Pandit says, there isn’t a need to take permission.
“It is only the starting part, which is similar to Bella Ciao”, says Lalit Pandit, who goes solo with ‘Besharam’.
The Jatin-Lalit duo have been quite famous for their hit numbers in several hit films like ‘Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’, ‘Fanaa’, ‘Hum Tum’ etc. before they parted ways.
Incidentally during ‘Dabangg’, Lalit Pandit was accused of copying the hit ‘Munni’ number from a popular Pakistani film, ‘Charlie’.
There have been many instances in the past when music giants like Anu Malik, Pritam, have been accused of alleged plagiarism of tunes without permission. In recent times, a popular band ‘Euphoria’ alleged that composer Ram Sampath (‘Talaash’, ‘Satyamev Jayate’) has used tunes from their collection.
‘Pyar Ki Ghanti’ also has Ranbir Kapoor lending his vocal chords for some portions. The song has already become popular and is currently viral on social media.
With Lalit Pandit, crediting the original composer may just resolve the controversy. Everyone remembers the ‘Krazzy 4’ controversy where director Rakesh Roshan and Filmkraft had to pay a hefty compensation for copying a theme.
‘Besharam’ directed by Abhinav Singh Kashyap stars Ranbir Kapoor and Pallavi Sharda is slated for release on 2 October.
