Bollywood recreates Pakistani song 'Zaalima Coca Cola' for 'anti-Pakistan' film

A new Bollywood remake of an old Pakistani song is currently being dragged on Twitter for ironically being part of an ‘anti-Pakistan’ film. Starring Nora Fatehi, the dance number is a recreation of Noor Jehan’s Zaalima Coca Cola and is part of Ajay Devgn’s Bhuj: The Pride of India. The track is being dubbed the “party song of the year” in India.

As per the trailer of this film, Fatehi plays an Indian spy who is sent to Pakistan to gather important information. And according to The Indian Express, "There is a possibility that the dance number is performed as some sort of a ruse against the 'enemy country'."

This recreation of Zaalima Coca Cola has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi with lyrics by Vayu and has been sung by Shreya Ghoshal. According to its YouTube description, the song has been licensed to YouTube on behalf of T-Series, EMI Pakistan and 1 Music Rights Societies. But Twitter is furious that Bollywood is adamant on painting Pakistan in a negative light while taking songs from Pakistan to add to its "one-sided narrative."

SophiaAQ, a user on Twitter shared, “This song is in #BhujThePrideOfIndia, an anti-Pakistan film and yet, they’ve stolen #ZaalimaCocaCola , which is a PAKISTANI SONG. The hypocrisy level is high. I don’t play these India vs. Pakistan games but there’s something very much unethical here.”

Ranjan Soumya, an Indian user in response wrote, “The lyrics are different and Bollywood is making this song popular which was almost unknown before (they're giving credits to the original singer also), I can't find any unethical work here.” But SophiaAQ pointed out, “The original artist’s family is still alive and thriving, the music label is still in existence and therefore it is only ethical if the parties have been given payment.” She added, “That’s why pretty woman WAS ethical - Karan Johar paid for it.”

Khansaab, another user re-tweeted the post and added, “Hatred has no ethics or morals, hence this.”

Set in 1971, Gujarat, Bhuj: The Pride of India is based on the Indo-Pak war. The film follows Devgn character, an IAF Squadron leader Vijay Karnik, who has taken on the task of reconstructing the Bhuj airbase along with 300 locals. The construction of this airbase is imperative in winning the war.

Aside from Devgn and Fatehi, the film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Ammy Virk, Sharad Kelkar, among others. Bhuj: The Pride of India marks Devgn’s return to films after 2020’s Tanhaji. Directed by Abhishek Dudhaiya, the film is set to release ahead of Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 13 on Disney+ Hotstar.

Watch the music video for the song here:

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.