'Buhe Bariyan' row: Kanika denies Hadiqa's plagiarism claims, says song is 'completely original'

Indian singer Kanika Kapoor has finally addressed the allegations levelled by popular Pakistani artist, Hadiqa Kiani. In the said accusations, Kiani called out Kapoor for plagiarising her famous 90s track, Boohey Barian. Kapoor, who is known for several hit numbers such as Jugni Ji, Baby Doll, Kamlee, Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan and Beat Pe Booty, denied the Pakistani artist's accusations in a recent statement to Hindustan Times. 

“Anyone who goes and listens to the song will know that it is an original song, from antras to everything. We have just used the hook line of an old folk song. According to me and the label, it is a folk song,” Kapoor told the publication. “There are many versions of the song that we have heard online and nobody has ever said anything about it”.

The Indian singer then added that her song is “completely original”. The Lucknow-born singer commented, “We have not copy-pasted any old folk song. We used two lines as inspiration. It is very unfair to the writer Kunwar Juneja and Shruti Rane who composed this new song. Also, it is unfair to me if anybody says that I am trying to steal someone’s work”.

Kapoor revealed since the claims surfaced, she has been getting hate messages and threats, and she is upset about how things have turned out to be nasty. “It makes me sad that they think we stole their song, or are not giving them the right credit. But I think, instead of going negative, we have to come together and help each other to grow. I have nothing against anyone who is saying anything negative or nasty. I have received a lot of nasty messages. It is sad to see people jump to conclusions without really knowing something,” she added. 

She further shared that when it comes to the copyright of the folk number, Kapoor asserts that it is a blurry zone.

“I am not a legal person. I have no way of finding out who owns the song. I know that many versions of the song have been used for the past 15 years. To be honest, nobody knows who has made the song. There is no paperwork,” the Indian crooner remarked. “I don’t know why they are seeing it today? Why didn’t they say anything when the recreations came out?” the 43-year-old wondered. However, she extends her apology if the song hurt anyone in any way.

“Nobody has done anything intentionally. We all are credible people. There has not been any intent of fleecing any videos or stealing anybody’s work. I feel very sorry that somebody this way about all of us. We are sorry if we upset anybody’s emotions,” Kapoor said, adding that she has huge respect for “Pakistani singers and music”.

Backstory

Kiani, last week, called out “another shameless” rendition of her popular 90s track Boohey Barian and 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, the Hona Tha Pyaar crooner 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, Kiani’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,” the Dobara actor had added.

Kiani 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.”

The singer 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.”

Kiani 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, she 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, the Dupatta crooner added a list of bot comments to let her followers know how they can “spot fake and paid comments from bots on Instagram.”

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