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Abrar Ul Haq threatens Karan Johar with legal action after 'Nach Punjaban' featured in Indian movie trailer

Abrar Ul Haq threatens Karan Johar with legal action after 'Nach Punjaban' featured in Indian movie trailer

The singer says this is his sixth song being "copied" and he won't stand for it anymore.
Updated 25 May, 2022

Every other month we hear of Pakistani songs being copied by Bollywood and this week's victim is Abrar Ul Haq's 'Nach Punjaban'. It has been copied in Karan Johar's film JugJugg Jeeyo.

On Sunday, the Indian filmmaker and actors Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Neetu Singh and Anil Kapoor took to Instagram and shared the official trailer of their upcoming film. Almost two minutes into the trailer a familiar tune starts to play, a song that's been one of the Pakistani singer biggest hits over the years. 'Nach Punjaban' is from Haq's album of the same name that released in 2002.

Taking the news to his Twitter account, Haq wrote, "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 Karan Johar should not use copy songs. This is my 6th song being copied which will not be allowed at all."

In response to Haq's tweet, record label Movie Box said on Twitter that the song had been officially licensed to be included in the film and that Johar and his production company have the legal rights to use the song in the upcoming movie. They also called the 53-year-old singer's tweet "defamatory" and 'completely unacceptable".

Later the singer clarified that his song hasn't been "licensed" to anyone either and if anyone tries to claim it, they must produce an agreement to back up their claims. In the tweet, Haq repeated his threat of legal action.

Record label T-Series also issued a statement on Twitter and said that they have "legally acquired the rights to adapt the song 'Nach Punjaban' "that was released on iTunes on January 1st, 2002 and available on Lollywood Classics' YouTube channel, owned by Movie Box.”

The statement attached with the tweet read that all due credits shall be given upon the release of the song across all platforms. "As represented by Moviebox Records Label the said song copyrights exclusively vest with moviebox only with all valid documents," it concluded. It is not clear whether Moviebox holds the rights to the song.

The song in the trailer used the exact same tune as Haq's original but featured different lyrics. The trailer features the song at the 40-second mark and begins with the guitar hook of the original song. It later picks up the pace at one minute 50 seconds with the trailer singer mimicking Haq's chorus.

Images reached out to both Haq and Johar for a comment but hasn't received a response yet. Johar and the cast haven't commented on the claims made by Haq as of Monday morning.

The film 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 industry, JugJugg Jeeyo is set to release in Indian cinemas on June 24 this year.

The news of this incident of plagiarism comes as the internet is still reeling from Kanika Kapoor and Hadiqa Kiani's 'Buhe Bariyan' controversy. 'Baby Doll' Kanika was called out by Kiani for copying her song 'Boohey Barian'. The singer had said that it's a "shameless rendition of the song" her 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 had written in an Instagram story that has since then expired.

After Kiani's Instagram stories were widely shared by Indian media as well, Kanika had told Hindustan Times that her song is completely original and that her and the label hasn't copy-pasted any 'folk song'. “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," she had said.

Though the 'Luv Letter' singer extended an apology for upsetting anyone, and said her and the people behind her latest track are "credible people".

Comments

M. Saeed May 23, 2022 12:58pm
Punjabi is a common language and Punjab is a common land divided by a Geographical division. It can never be divided culturally and remains common, as it is only specific to this area in the world. There must be some appreciation for the still existing bond and appreciation must be acknowledged, where due.
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haris May 23, 2022 01:23pm
I am sure Mr. Karan Johar or his attorney will find a grey area in Copyright laws and run-away without any damages. Celebrities don't respect each others work. how would they expect that from the people?
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AK May 23, 2022 01:28pm
Abrar Ul Haq would now recognise thev alue of doing the copyrights of IPs that are created.
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Queen May 23, 2022 01:50pm
Indians are good at one thing; stealing someone's hard work.
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Mohd Asif May 23, 2022 01:56pm
While copying the song without permission is wrong, where exactly will Abrar file the legal claim. Pakistani laws don't apply to India and vice versa.
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NYS May 23, 2022 02:02pm
Abrar is right to fight for the right
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Narish May 23, 2022 02:22pm
Pakistanis and artist from all over the world who always complain, these people needs to be happy if Bollywood use their songs it is good publicity for everyone. Pakistani artist need not to complain rather be thankful that Bollywood used their songs. Think of it how big of a market is now listening to their songs.
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Shah May 23, 2022 02:35pm
This is why I don't watch Bollywood copy-chapa anymore. Also, not suitable for watching with families. I have also met many Indians too who do not allow such garbage into their homes as it is against their cultural values too.
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Hawk May 23, 2022 03:14pm
Karan johar must purchase the copyrights.
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kash May 23, 2022 03:14pm
It seems Moviebox own the rights, not Abrar. k-Jo would have checked with company. So legally K-Jo and team have not done wrong but in future pak artistes should claim to the song and lyrics.
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Jai May 23, 2022 03:18pm
If he has a problem, seek a legal remedy. Posting on Twitter is just a publicity stunt.
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Reality May 23, 2022 03:30pm
Well threats n more threats but no legal action ever
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Ali May 23, 2022 03:34pm
@Narish are you for real? Are you even in your senses?
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aijaz gul May 23, 2022 04:29pm
There is no copyright on music between Pakistan and India. Anyone who does not know should grasp this fact.
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Fairplay May 23, 2022 04:44pm
Bollywood, what a surreal world! Feel sorry for those who are crazy about their movies!
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khan May 23, 2022 04:46pm
@Narish who is making money?????????????
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Imtirian Hozmadadi May 23, 2022 05:00pm
We always hear of accusations by Pakistani artists but never actually see any legal suits filed by them? Like IKs conspiracy claims??
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hussain May 23, 2022 05:20pm
Indians have been copying Pakistani sings for decades, what's new? rather the Pakistani artists need legal protection for their work, Indians have known to be copying Hollywood movies.
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Simba May 23, 2022 05:36pm
Nonsense. Grow up.
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Irfan Huq May 23, 2022 06:43pm
@Narish Thankful without being given the credit? The song may become very popular but what about the song maker. How many people in India know Abrarul Haq.? Abrar should take them to court Not in India or Pakistan but US or UK.
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Irfan Huq May 23, 2022 06:47pm
@Jai Posting and taking him to court.. He needs publicity as well as a cheater and thief.
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Irfan Huq May 23, 2022 06:51pm
@aijaz gul Copy right is not between countries. Copy right affor the product is for the whole world wherever it is shown or presented..
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Ali B May 23, 2022 07:29pm
@Narish so pay them when you are stealing and making money on their songs.
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Gooner May 23, 2022 08:13pm
Copy rights infringement is a serious crime in the West we deprive the creative workers if these infringements are not addressed
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TP May 23, 2022 09:29pm
@Narish why don't you come here and clean my boots. There are so many people in Pakistan who wear boots. Think of the big market opportunity you have.
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AJ May 23, 2022 09:38pm
Plagiarism making up for lack of imagination. Our neighbors are pretty creative at that.
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Shaukat May 23, 2022 09:51pm
@Narish, But only if they are willing to share the revenues from the illegally obtained material and if they are willing to recognize the fact that " it is from the Pakistani production" and the credit goes to the Pakistani singer. Is this too much to ask for from a courtesy point of giving a credit where it belongs?
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Shaukat May 23, 2022 09:52pm
@M. Saeed , that means you can steal anything which belongs to Punjab?
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Suraj May 23, 2022 10:12pm
It's the story of everytime Mostly Pak artists or labels first behind the back sell their songs to Bollywood for money, then Pak public cry over plagiarism. I too do not support remaking of such iconic songs, specifically for the Karan Johar movie, but it's first you who allow them to make it. And Btw T-Series or Dharma productions are billion dollars companies why they do such cheap things of stealing songs when they can easily buy.
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Suraj May 23, 2022 10:12pm
It's the story of everytime Mostly Pak artists or labels first behind the back sell their songs to Bollywood for money, then Pak public cry over plagiarism. I too do not support remaking of such iconic songs, specifically for the Karan Johar movie, but it's first you who allow them to make it. And Btw T-Series or Dharma productions are billion dollars companies why they do such cheap things of stealing songs when they can easily Buy.
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Jalal May 23, 2022 10:19pm
@Shah your views are your views and Pakistan remains one of the largest market for Bollywood and those denying its value are the ones consuming it the most . The truth is entertainment is an industry catering to a billion eyeballs and a few that want to squint can do nothing to the rest there are plenty more eyeballs left . In Dubai Pakistanis follow Bollywood more than Indians follow Bollywood.
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Magister May 24, 2022 12:15am
Bollywood has been a plagiarism addict from the beginning.
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Dr.Rashes May 24, 2022 12:16am
@hussain: HW copies BW & vice versa. If you don't agree, you checkout one of old Nicole Kidman's interviews. She has confessed about them. Heck, one telugu movie was copied by HW & is a big hit - only the storyline was changed to suit their audience - in Telugu the story runs with a love story in parallel, in HW they skipped it, you can clearly see it based on the released dates. In telugu it was released in early 2000's & in HW, late 2000's.
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Anonymouseee May 24, 2022 12:24am
Indians are known as “copy cats” the world over. Nothing original comes out of india.
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Waqar (UK) May 24, 2022 12:43am
Knew one of the Moviebox directors back in the 80's. He was one shrewd businessman and operated the largest VHS and CD catalog store in a predominantly Mirpuri district of Birmingham.
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PakSarZameen May 24, 2022 12:44am
Originality from Bollywood is gone longtime ago. Now, the only thing they know is Copy & Paste, either from Pakistani hits or Hollywood Hits. Cheaters will remain cheaters.
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Jawwad May 24, 2022 02:43am
This is where Bollywood is at it's best. Plagiarism.
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NaukriDo May 24, 2022 02:56am
@Queen and what are you good at?
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Reality May 24, 2022 03:12am
With KJo involved no explanation needed. He is legal eagle minded. If u create a product learn to protect it also..this is business world
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CringeCop May 24, 2022 04:09am
it’s not a copy, it’s called interpolation. PK entertainers need to grow up and mature their business practices instead of crying
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Chacha Jee May 24, 2022 04:24am
Nach Punjaban, Jatt, Balley Balley, Gidha, Chak de Phattay, Kidan, Bhaji etc can't be copywritted.
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Chacha Jee May 24, 2022 04:39am
It seems that Abrar Ul Haq has no copyright of his own Song 'Nach Punjaban' as it's rights have been sold by him to various platforms. It seems a crude attempt by Abrar to get cheap publicity. It is good for the film. By the way, there is no shortage of hit Punjabi songs by Indian artists. Abrar should have 'feel good' feeling about it. Compared to Pakistan Punjabi Songs Industry, Indian Punjabi Song Industry is huge.
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JustSaying May 24, 2022 06:03am
@Queen " Indians are good at one thing; stealing someone's hard work.. " And Pakistani's are Holy and Pious...??? Fake Pilots, Fake Doctors... No Doubt even the Arabs have banned you.....
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Hawkeye May 24, 2022 06:44am
@Fairplay Movies are entertainment. What is wrong in being crazy about it. Some people take it a notch up others watch for it for time pass. There is nothing wrong in that. Be it bollywood, Hollywood or any movie industry.
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Hawkeye May 24, 2022 06:48am
@Ali B Did you even the news? Why should they pay money to artist when the copyright is with other group. They have legally done this. The artist should discuss this with the music label who has sold this to Kaean johar rather than doing this stunt.
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Ali Mehdi May 24, 2022 08:20am
As though our water n Kashmir wasn’t enough to that Indians started stealing our arts n culture. Do they even have any thing of their own.
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Javed May 24, 2022 08:38am
Indians never agree to copying of pakistan music even tho they do it step by step and you can clearly tell it is Pakistani music copied by Indians.
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Javed May 24, 2022 08:39am
When the song Nach Pujabhan belongs to Pakistan and Abrar Ul Haq then from where Karan johar or t-series acquires the rights to use it??? Lol
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Jin May 24, 2022 08:41am
@M. Saeed are you nuts? Just because it’s a shared language. Just because they share the same lineage as us, would you let them into your bedroom? Stupid argument
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Javed May 24, 2022 08:41am
Bollywood is amazed by the quality of Pakistani music with good lyrics that’s why those shameless people copy Pakistani music and then shamelessly denied the wrong doing.
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Jin May 24, 2022 08:42am
@Narish oh Just because it’s a bigger market, it gives them the right.
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Southindian May 24, 2022 08:59am
Movie should remove that song from the movie. and my requests to other fellow indians not to watch this movie and all karan johar movies since they add Pakistani songs in their movies
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Rebirth May 24, 2022 11:04am
We, too must sue the newspaper and all parties involved for making us watch the horribly boring trailer and also, the “Lollywood” film scenes where this song was featured. After Raheem Shah, Sabri bros., Nusrat and now, Abrar, we can no longer equivocate the need to protect our art. Produce content in a more sophisticated and original version of the Urdu language like our national anthem. Did they ever copy it or even seek inspiration from it? No, because they don’t even understand it. Every new generation has ruined our language, with social media completely decimating its richness. Terms like scene on hai, tension nahi lena are colloquially acceptable and socially desirable, especially because of the incorporation of English words. Yet, it impacts our ability to articulate our views in our own lingua franca. The worst are local and rural words that has made our language rudimentary and ape-like. Our creative community must shape our culture so that it remains distinct and unique.
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Rebirth May 24, 2022 11:05am
@M. Saeed you must consider moving to Amritsar to enjoy Jhatka meat and drink a few pegs with your “brethren”.
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Dhinchack May 24, 2022 02:26pm
This singer guy looks fool from his face. He doesn't even know who owns the right to the song. How will he file a legal suit?
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Tadka May 24, 2022 06:02pm
@TP with the current economic climate there won't be any boots left to wear...why don't u move over and enter billions market with your pathetic education that job would be apt
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Pops May 24, 2022 07:46pm
@Narish Being thankful is different from being illegal and stealing. This is a great song and a sleaze ball is stealing it without proper rights. I love my India but cannot support this kind of thing. Moreover, such thieving eventually hurts all artists and talent and ‘Kalaa’ is hurt in the long run.
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Danish Anjum May 24, 2022 08:35pm
@Narish You just proved 2 nation theory.
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Nish May 25, 2022 09:59am
Whatever amount of money Pakistani singer May ask is peanuts for Karan johar! Stop crying and say the amount.
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Mian jawad May 25, 2022 10:28am
Duffer indian musicians km az km copy hi ache se kerwa lete..... Itni bkwas copy..... Calm down ibrar bhai.... Ap ko copy kerna itna ease nae h...... U creat s masterpiece.... They never make copy of it even.....
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Mian jawad May 25, 2022 10:31am
They hv no guts to even copy this masterpiece.....
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Sabah Shahid May 25, 2022 03:41pm
These Bollywood freaks need to be educated on copyright laws. This is so unfair to our artists who put in so much effort only to have someone else take credit for their hard work.
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Sabah Shahid May 25, 2022 03:42pm
Even the film's name is inspired by one of our patriotic songs 'jug jug jiye mera payara watan."
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Brad May 25, 2022 04:44pm
KJo is the lowest low in terms of creativity in Bollywood and he may or may not have copied the song without legal rights which can be easily proved in court of law. It is amazing to read so many brothers and sisters infuriated while they have grown up on Bollywood music as staple for last 70 years enjoying Lata , Asha Rafi or Kishore Kumar songs without giving any monetary compensation to the singers or movie owners since there was official ban from Pakistan govt on Indian movies and music.
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Brad May 25, 2022 04:46pm
@Sabah Shahid My friend Jugjug jeeyo is Hindi blessing based on Sanskrit word yug means you live eternally
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