Famous Pakistani singer Abrar-ul-Haq has claimed that his song ‘Nach Punjaban’ has been stolen and used in Karan Johar’s upcoming movie Jugjugg Jeeyo.
When was ‘Nach Punjaban’ released?
Abrar-ul-Haq recorded his song Nach Punjaban in the 2000s. Haq said in an interview that he had adopted a certain style to add a Punjabi touch to this song.
Abrar also said this is the sixth time his song has been copied, though he did not make it clear whether he is specifcally referring to Karan Johar or Bollywood in general. His tweet read ,”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.”
‘Nach Punjaban’ and ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’
The famous singer’s song Nach Punjaban is included in the Indian film titled ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’. Recently, a trailer of the movie has been released under the banner of filmmaker Kiran Johar’s company ‘Dharma Productions’ in which the song was played. The movie stars Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Neetu Kapoor, and Anil Kapoor who are seen dancing to the song.
A traditional wedding song
The same song is traditionally sung at weddings in Pakistan, especially on the occasion of Mehandi, with special performances by both boys and girls. It would not be wrong to say that even today most weddings and dance parties in the country are incomplete without this song.
Haq’s reaction to plagiarism
When the trailer of the movie ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’ was released, it featured Nach Punjaban, whose video went viral on Pakisatni social media because people thought that it was a song by singer Abrar-ul-Haq.
Later, Haq reacted to the news, saying that he reserves the right to go to court for damages if his song is used in an Indian film. The singer said that a producer like Karan Johar should not have copied his song.
Bollywood rejects singer’s claim
Indian record label ‘Music Box’ reacted to Pakistani singer Abrar Ul Haq’s claim that he has not sold his song Nach Punjaban for the upcoming Bollywood film Jug Jugg Jeeyo, 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.
Their tweet read, “Nach Panjaban has been officially licensed for it to be included in the Film Jug Jugg Jeeyo by TSeries.”
“Karan Johar & Dharma Movies have the legal rights to use this song in their film and the tweet by Abrar Ul Haq earlier today is defamatory and completely unacceptable,” it added.
Movie Box is a UK-based ‘Bhangra Record Label’ and has released songs by a number of well-known singers, such as Diljit Dosanjh, Shazia Manzoor, Naseebo Lal and Jeezy B.
Counter strike from Haq
In response, Haq used the Movie Box for a legal agreement, saying that the song has not been licensed to “any one” as he repeated his threat of taking legal action. “Song ‘Nach Punjaban’ has not been licensed to anyone. If someone is claiming it, then produce the agreement. I will be taking legal action,” Abrar wrote in his tweet.
Public reaction
It should be noted that the Pakistani people are also angry over the inclusion of the Pakistani song ‘Nach Punjaban’ in the movie ‘Jugjugg Jeeyo’, which is being made under the banner of Dharma Productions. Most of the social media users condemned the banning of Pakistani artists from working in Indian but they can copy Pakistani songs while some think that Abrar-ul-Haq should not let this matter go easily or else this process of copying songs will never stop.
