Hadiqa Kiani appalled by Indian singer's 'shameless rendition' of 'Boohey Bariyan'

Renowned singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani is appalled by “another shameless” rendition of her popular 90s track Boohey Barian and has informed everyone that she’s “alive and well,” in case anyone’s planning on covering more of her songs, they can ask her first.

Taking to her Instagram Stories on Thursday, the Hona Tha Pyaar crooner shared Indian singer Kanika Kapoor’s rendition of Boohey Barian titled Buhe Baryian. The track is licensed to India’s Saregama Music and 1 music rights society. The original, by Hadiqa, is licensed to Unicorn Black Music, MovieBox Record Label, Reservoir Media and 7 music rights societies.

Hadiqa asserted that aside from a mere acknowledgment of her track under the music video of the latest rendition on YouTube, nobody from India or Saregama took permission from her and she is not being paid any royalties.

“Another day and another shameless rendition of a song my mother wrote. No one asked for my permission, no one has given me royalties. They just take the song that my mother wrote and I recorded and use it as an easy money-making scheme,” she lashed out. Boohey Barian, Hadiqa’s first Punjabi-language song was written by her mother Khawar Kiani for her Platinum-selling second album, Roshni, released in 1999.

“So far, it’s been stolen to be used in multiple Bollywood films starring the likes of Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta. It’s been stolen by every other singer who sings on stage while earning. And of course, by many singers who produce full music videos. Some of these cover videos have received almost 200 million views on YouTube. The latter gives me ‘credit’ by mentioning ‘original song: Boohey Barian by Hadiqa Kiani,” Hadiqa added.

The Dobara actor mentioned that almost every time she has covered a song, she has “bought its rights, taken permission from the artist or paid royalties because that’s the ethical way to go about things.”

Hadiqa added, “I’m alive and well, if you want to sing my songs, ask me first. I want to be flattered by these covers because, in theory, they are paying a tribute. But there’s a right and wrong way to do something. Profiting off of someone else’s hit song without any thought is not right.”

Hadiqa also shared a list of bot accounts complimenting the remake on social media to highlight the artificial machinery behind creating the façade that makes things appear well-received on virtual mediums. Sharing a screenshot of commentators informing Indian listeners about the original track, Hadiqa wrote, “Grateful to my fans and supporters. These people will buy millions of fake views and comments but real people know the truth.”

In another Story, she added a list of bot comments to let her followers know how they can “spot fake and paid comments from bots on Instagram.”

YouTube song description for Saregama’s Buhe Bariyan states, “Kanika Kapoor's rendition of Buhe Bariyan is all about breaking barriers and uniting with one's beloved. Its spectacular visuals explore a plethora of emotions in one’s heart as it takes us through a surreal musical romantic journey. This Punjabi folk song is composed by Gourov Dasgupta ft. Shruti Rane, written by Kunwar Juneja and rendered by Kanika Kapoor herself. The music and ethereal visuals together transcend beyond space and time!”

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