'Gabbar is Back' item number rips off Pakistani song

Find out where the item number got its lyrics from

KARACHI: The latest song for Akshay Kumar's upcoming movie Gabbar is Back  is out - and will immediately ring a bell for anyone who has had even the slightest experience of travelling on a Pakistani bus.

By the looks of it, Aao Raja has all the ingredients of a typical Indian item number, with Chitrangada Singh setting the screen on fire with her seductive moves, smoky makeup and sultry outfits.



The lyrics, on the other hand, would remind Punjabi movie-goers quite a bit of Kundi na Kharka Sohneya from Shaan and Saima starrer Naseebo.

Watch Chitrangada Singh sizzle on screen here:



Compare it with the Pakistani version here:


This is not the first time that Bollywood has plagiarized Pakistani music, with several hundreds of songs over at least five decades either borrowing heavily or "drawing inspiration" from Pakistani movies as well as from pop music.

These songs have included several hits that have taken audiences on both sides of the border by storm. A complete list being too long to share, we at The Express Tribune decided to shortlist the top 10:

1. Munni Badnaam Hui (Dabangg)



This famous item number bears a strong resemblance to the qawwali Larka Badnam Hua Haseena Tere Liye from the 1992 Pakistani film Mr. Charlie starring comedian Omar Sharif.

You can view the item number here:


Compare it to the original:


2. Main Na Jhoot Bolun (Indrajeet)



This song from the 1991 Amitabh-starrer Indrajeet may not be familiar to most, but we are sure that very few will be able to miss the unmistakeable beat in the background.



Created in the 1980s, this is the music that is characteristic of every PPP election campaign and rally.



3. Dil Dil Hindustan (Yaadon ke Mausam)



Even patriotic songs were not spared. Check out this patriotic number from little-known 1991 film Yaadon ke Mausam.



Compare it with the Vital Sign's mega-hit Dil Dil Pakistan which came out in 1987.



4. Mera Piya Ghar Aya (Yaraana)



This 1995 film may not have been very memorable, but Madhuri's dance steps in Mera Piya Ghar Aaya O Raam Ji remained in the hearts of her fans for quite some time.



This would remind Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan fans of his qawwali Mera Piya Ghar Aya which was first heard two years prior.



5. Tu Cheez Bari Hai Mast (Mohra)



The chemistry between Akshay Kumar and Raveena Tandon set the screen on fire in this song from 1994 blockbuster Mohra.



The Pakistani inspiration turned out to be the Sufi song Dam Mast Qalander Mast Mast, which had been set to music by several artists including Abida Parveen, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the Sabri brothers, Reshma and Madam Noor Jehan. Compare the tune in the Mohra remake to Nusrat Fateh Ali's rendition here:



6. Hum Bhool Gaye Re Har Baat (Souten ki Beti)



Rekha crooned along to Lata Mangeshkar in this soulful melody from 1989 film Souten ki Beti:



The song, right down to the lyrics, were in reality lifted from this song from Pakistani film Saheli released in 1960.



Those who have watched the movie might also recognize the lyrics, if not the melody, of this song as well.



Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan again:



7. Lambi Judai (Jannat)



The Indian version appeared in Emraan Hashmi's 2008 film Jannat...



...and turned out to be heavily inspired by folk singer Reshman's original:



8. Kadi te Has Bol (Love Aaj Kal)



The words Kadi te Has Bol can be heard in the soundtrack of the song Aahun Aahun from the 2009 film Love Aaj Kal.



Before this an Indian pop-music version was also made in the late 90's.



The Pakistani original was sung by Shaukat Ali:



9. Buhat Pyar Karte Hain Tumko Sanam (Saajan)



One of the songs from the 1991 romantic movie that established Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan as one of the most iconic on-screen couples...



...actually heavily borrowed from the song Buhat Khoobsurat Hai Mera Sanam sung by Mehdi Hasan for the 1978 film Abshar.



10. Agar Tum Mil Jao (Zeher)



Two versions of the song Agar Tum Mil Jao were seen in the 2005 Emraan Hashmi starrer Zeher. Check out one of these versions here:



While the tune was changed beyond recognition, the lyrics are eerily similar to the ones from the 1974 Tasawwar Khanum original: