Clear theft: Farasat Anees calls out Indian label T-Series for ‘stealing’ his Joyland song ‘BIBA’

Label previously came under fire for allegedly ripping Abrarul Haq’s ‘Nach Punjaban,’ Nazia Hassan’s ‘Aap Jesa Koi’

Farasat Anees, brains behind the widely celebrated song BIBA, has called out Indian label T-Series for plagiarising his track, which was also part of the Cannes winning film, Joyland.

Taking to Instagram, Anees alleged the label “clearly stole chords, intro, arrangements of our version,” of the iconic Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan song which was reproduced two years ago. And holding no qualms, he called it a “clear theft”. The artist also acknowledged the love BIBA has received from India and while he is grateful to all the listeners across the border, as well as his Pakistani fans, he wants everyone to now share his message so “someone responsible” from T-Series can take action.

BIBA, featuring SLICK TRICK and TOSHI is part of the album OFIVE1 by Anees and is exclusively licensed to Farasat Anees Music on YouTube. Meanwhile, the T-Series version credits Bhushan Kumar for the song, while original song credits have been given to Farrukh Ali Khan, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Anwar Jogi. The Express Tribune has reached out to the record label for a comment.

On Wednesday, Anees shared sound bites of both songs for people to judge for themselves. “What a disgrace!” he lashed out in the caption. “T-Series [is] stealing our work because it has been trending in the world. Me and my brothers, Toshi and Slick Trick, worked day and night to bring this song where it is. Please have some shame and stop ruining every good song from Pakistan,” Anees added.

“The love and respect Indians showed to our version of BIBA was massive. We will always be grateful for that. [They are] also supporting us in the comment section of this cheap copy of BIBA. Will always be thankful to listeners across the border!” he continued.

Anees even advised, “Even if you wanted to reproduce the song, you should have done [so] with [the] original stuff. [They] clearly stole chords, [the] intro [and] arrangements of our version. Clear theft! Really hoping someone responsible takes action from T-Series and I request all of our fans, friends and family to share this.”
 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Farasat Anees (@farasatanees)

Last year, T-Series came under fire for rendering Abrarul Haq’s iconic song, Nach Punjaban, for the Kiara Advani and Varun Dhawan-starrer, Jug Jug Jeeyo. Haq even called out the label and threatened to take legal action. Prior to that, the label reproduced the iconic Nazia Hassan song Aap Jesa Koi, sparking an uproar on social media.

Now, actor Saba Qamar has also shared Anees’ post in hopes that the Indian label would respond. “There is no harm in crediting the hard work of an artist but sadly, I am very disappointed to see an organization like T-Series stealing someone’s work without [taking] their legal consent, this surely is a disgrace indeed” she wrote on her Insta Stories.

The Kamli star tagged the label’s official Insta handle to add, “I request you, please take notice of this matter immediately.”

Popular Indian digital creator Diet Sabya also called out the “blatant theft”. A note on the handle’s Insta Stories reads, “Farasat Anees’ BIBA has over 25 million views on YouTube, was featured in Joyland and has millions of streams on Spotify. It’s an incredible track to begin with. Hey, y’all seen this? I want to know from the music [people] about how T-Series is blatantly copying these tracks?”

Fellow local artist Annural Khalid also lent support to Anees, writing, “BIBA is and will remain yours, Farasat Anees!” Anees’ song was released two years ago and has 25 million views on YouTube.

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