We have legally acquired 'Nach Punjaban': T-series refutes Abrarul Haq's allegations of plagiarism

Singer had accused KJo's Dharma Productions of using his song 'without acquiring rights'.

KARACHI:

On Sunday, singer Abrarul Haq had called out Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for using his song Nach Punjaban in its upcoming film Jugjugg Jeeyo “without acquiring rights.”

The cast of the film, including Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Neetu Singh and Anil Kapoor, shared the official trailer of the upcoming movie on their Instagram handles. Almost two minutes into the clip, with an altered bridge and somewhat the same chorus, Nach Punjaban’s begins to play. The original, released in 2002, is from Abrar’s album of the same name.

Taking to his Twitter handle, the singer had written, “I have not sold my song Nach Punjaban to any Indian movie and reserve the rights to go to court to claim damages.” The Billo hitmaker went on to tag KJo to assert, “Producers like Karan Johar should not use copied songs. This is my 6^th song being copied, which will not be allowed at all.”

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

— Abrar Ul Haq (@AbrarUlHaqPK) May 22, 2022

While written and performed by Abrar, it is pertinent to mention here that Nach Punjaban is sourced to Moviebox Birmingham Limited on Spotify. Following Abrar’s tweet, the UK record label’s Twitter handle issued a statement of its own, making Abrar's case weaker.

It noted, “Nach Panjaban has been officially licensed for it to be included in the film Jugjugg Jeeyo by TSeries. Karan Johar and Dharma Movies have the legal rights to use this song in their film and the tweet by Abrarul Haq earlier today is defamatory and completely unacceptable.”

Nach Panjaban has been officially licensed for it to be included in the Film “JugJugg Jeeyo” by @TSeries. @karanjohar & @DharmaMovies have the legal rights to use this song in their film and the tweet by @AbrarUlHaqPK earlier today is defamatory and completely unacceptable.

— MOVIEBOX (@1Moviebox) May 22, 2022

Abrar, albeit, tweeted again, claiming his song has not been licensed to any entity. “Nach Punjaban has not been licensed to anyone. If someone is claiming it, then produce the agreement. I will be taking legal action,” he shared, adamant.

Song “Nach Punjaban” has not been licensed to any one. If someone is claiming it , then produce the agreement. I will be taking legal action.#NachPunjaban

— Abrar Ul Haq (@AbrarUlHaqPK) May 22, 2022

T-Series responds

Now, T-Series has issued a statement addressing the matter on its social media handles. Snubbing Abrar’s claims, it has assured, “T-Series has legally acquired the rights to adapt the song Nach Punjaban from the album Nach Punjaban released on iTunes on 1st January, 2002 and is also available on Lollywood Classics' YouTube channel, owned and operated by 1 Moviebox Records Label, for the film Jug JuggJeeyo produced by Dharma Movies. All due credits shall be included across all platforms when song released.”

It maintains that “As represented by 1 Moviebox Records Label, the said song copyrights exclusively vest with Moviebox with all valid documents.”

We have legally acquired the rights to adapt the song #NachPunjaban released on iTunes on 1st January, 2002 & available on Lollywood Classics' YouTube channel, owned by @1Moviebox, for #JugJuggJeeyo produced by @DharmaMovies. The song is available here: https://t.co/2oLFzsLAFI pic.twitter.com/t6u3p3RA6z

— T-Series (@TSeries) May 23, 2022

Screenwriter and Head of Creative Development (Script) at Dharma Productions, Somen Mishra, did not back down either. Responding to the allegations on the micro-blogging site, Somen shared Moviebox’s tweet to comment, “I have no idea how people do film journalism without having basics in place, these are like basics of business, thoda padh likh lo, check karo, how these things work, see the music label. Ata na pata, daag do tweet, script ho ya music. Problem is every moron’s got a twitter account.”

I have no idea how people do film journalism without having basics in place, these are like basics of business, thoda padh likh lo, check karo,how these things work, see the music label. Ata na pata, daag do tweet, script ho ya music. Problem is every moron got a twitter account. https://t.co/HGWrBPzaBo

— somen mishra (@somenmishra0) May 22, 2022

He then shared an Indian outlet’s report about a man accusing Karan of copying his story for Jugjugg Jeeyo. Addressing this plagiarism claim, the excerpt of which read, “Man threatens to sue Karan Johar for using his script to make Jugjugg Jeeyo,” Somen quote tweeted, “Arre bhai ‘the man’ must sue, tweet karke threaten karna kya RTs count badhana bus. SWA is quite good in such matters, or the courts. He must approach. Anyway, we do not comment on speculation and hearsay. Our legal team has not received anything.”

Arre bhai "the man" must sue, tweet karke threaten karna kya RTs count badhana bus. SWA is quite good in such matters, or the courts. He must must must approach. Anyway, we do not comment on speculation and hearsay. Our legal team has not received anything. https://t.co/XfC0D0Fiw2

— somen mishra (@somenmishra0) May 22, 2022

Another plagiarism claim against KJo

Turns out another plagiarism claim has surfaced against KJo by a man named Vishal A Singh. As per India Today, Vishal has claimed that Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions has copied his script titled Bunny Rani to make Jugjugg Jeeyo. Taking to Twitter, Vishal shared screenshots, stating that he had mailed extracts of his script to the production house, but the film was made without his contribution or knowledge.The Express Tribune reached out to Abrar via text and call, however, the singer has not responded to any request for a comment. Johar and the cast haven't commented on the claims made by Haq either.

Jugjugg Jeeyo is directed by Raj Mehta and is a joint production between Johar's Dharma Productions and Viacom18 Studios. The film is described as "a story set in the heart of Patiala and much like the city, it’s full of love and laughter, colour and drama. It’s about family and its values, unresolved yearnings, and unexpected reconciliations." Starring the crème de la crème of the Bollywood, Jugg Jugg Jeeyo is set to release in Indian cinemas on June 24 this year.

The Express Tribune reached out to Abrar via text and call, however, the singer has not responded to any request for a comment. Johar and the cast haven't commented on the claims made by Haq either. The internet, however, is rallying for Abrar, as it did for Hadiqa Kiani, who, not long ago, called out Indian singer Kanika Kapoor for rendering her song Boohey Barian without acquiring her consent.

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