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Bollywood's Varun Dhawan thanks Abrarul Haq for 'Nach Punjaban', claims T-Series bought song rights

Bollywood's Varun Dhawan thanks Abrarul Haq for 'Nach Punjaban', claims T-Series bought song rights

The singer has previously denied selling the rights for the song used in Karan Johar's film JugJugg Jeeyo.
23 Jun, 2022

Weeks after controversy spread over Indian movie JugJugg Jeeyo copying Pakistani singer Abrarul Haq's song 'Nach Punjaban', one of the film's stars, Varun Dhawan, has thanked the singer for the song, reiterating the production house's claim that they own the rights to it.

For many Bollywood fans, the trailer for the movie seemed like the set up for a perfect family film that offered upbeat music, dance numbers, comedy and drama. But for Pakistanis, who heard the familiar song in it, it was another addition to a long list of plagiarised work. Last month, Haq took to Twitter and accused Karan Johar and the filmmaker's company Dharma Productions of stealing his song and said he never sold them the rights to 'Nach Punjaban'.

In an interview to Bollywood Hungama on Thursday, Varun Dhawan thanked Haq for his song and said that the film's music company, T-Series, bought the rights to the original.

The Coolie No. 1 actor told Bollywood Hungama, "I want to say to Abrar that he sung the song so well, the original one. It is amazing, outstanding and we loved it. Our music company, they bought the rights and now our song is doing so well, so thank you.”

Images has reached out to Haq for a comment on this development.

Previously, Haq had tweeted, "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."

Later the music company claimed that they bought the rights and release a statement that read that all due credits will be included when the music itself releases. It also said that they acquired the rights through Moviebox Records Label that owns the copyrights to the song.

Earlier this month, Haq had also shared a video of himself where he said, "A lot of fans have been asking me 'why haven't you gone to the court against Karan Johar and T-Series for stealing your song 'Nach Punjaban'. The answer is yes I'm going to the court don't worry. Merely saying that the credit has been given because the song is well written and would make their movie a hit. I never gave you the song, I never gave anybody the rights to my song. It belongs to me so I'll get it back and I'm coming to the court, see you there."

The song in the film is titled 'The Punjabban Song' and uses the exact same tune as Haq's original but features different lyrics. It was released on May 28 and was shared by Johar as the first song from the upcoming film that saw Dhawan, Anil Kapoor, Kiara Advani and Neetu Singh dancing to the popular chorus and hook of Haq's song from his 2002 album Nach Punjaban.

This isn't the only plagiarism claim faced by the production house. Indian writer Vishal A Singh had also claimed that JugJugg Jeeyo's story had been copied from his story that he had pitched to Dharma Productions two years ago in hopes of a collaboration.

The film will hit the theatres in India tomorrow, June 24.

Comments

Taj Ahmad Jun 23, 2022 06:00pm
It’s not new, both Indians and Pakistanis culture are same, languages are same, dresses are same and above all foods are the same, nothing wrong if we copied each other’s film songs in our films, instead we should share and help each other’s.
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Syed Hasni Jun 23, 2022 06:17pm
Varun, bad way to do publicity of your song, if it would not have made to the papers, I would have never known it existed. You need to work hard Man!
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Pandu Jun 23, 2022 07:01pm
They have bought the rights, what is this Pakistani guy crying about? Doesn't he know how copyright works.
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Multani Jun 23, 2022 07:09pm
Bollywood lacks talents and steals stuff from us, we must make them pay us or ban their movies
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AK Jun 23, 2022 07:15pm
I find it rather odd that an actor would comment on whether the rights have been properly acquired. Better to leave these legal issues to the parties more directly involved in that matter, no?
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Anonymouseee Jun 23, 2022 08:15pm
Indians are known world wide for being copy cats and cheats.
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Hesus Oieway Jun 23, 2022 09:26pm
Sue them Abrar - once they get sued, they will understand not to copy. It's lawfare baby!
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desi cowboy Jun 23, 2022 09:39pm
The singer has clearly said that he did NOT sell the rights.
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Truth be told Jun 24, 2022 01:38am
Hopefully Abrar is not left with a red face like all PTI stalwarts who make big claims but later find out the facts.
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Zulfiqar Jun 24, 2022 02:41am
They should produce the document that says he sold them the rights to this song. Without written documentation of his is a clear case of copyright infringement.
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Irfan Huq Jun 24, 2022 02:49am
Abrar should Sue the producer of the movie and T series owner . let them prove that they have acquired legally. If abrar is going to do that he should do it USA or Europe. If he is looking for Justice he can get only in this country's. In India and Pakistan Justice can be bought. I am ready to help Abrar in USA if he wants to .
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shubs Jun 24, 2022 04:50am
Pakistanis - clueless as usual.
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Dam'it Jun 24, 2022 04:57am
Indians are not only cheaters they are also copy cats...
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Akib Mahmood Jun 24, 2022 05:20am
So basically what's happened here is that Abear ul Haq/his management/record label have licensed the song to ITunes and lollywood classics amd movie box record labels toutve channels. That does kot give these third parties exclusive rights to what is Abrar ul Haq/his record label's intellectual property. The song still belongs to them. It's like me allowing my neighbour to use my lawnmower on weekends and then his friend decides to borrow it and he let's him. It's my lawnmower. Any arrangement/agreement I have with my neighbour does not extend to his mates. He does not own it. He has no right to offer it to anyone without my express permission. Same with th3 song. It belongs to Abrar. ITunes or any YouTube channel licensed to play it/offer it for download cannot "sell" the rights to it, especially for commercial use, without Abrar's permission. They do not own it.
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Syed Ahmed Jun 24, 2022 06:35am
Good lesson for Pakistani artists ....in future protect your work from Indian thieves and copycats.. . Make sure to get it registered somewhere they can't steal it without consequences. No Pakistani artist should collaborate with India until they agree not to cheat and steal.
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Milka Singh Jun 24, 2022 09:09am
Abrar ul Haq should sue Karan Johar. This way we will also know who is telling the truth and who is lying.
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hammad Jun 24, 2022 11:16am
This called badmashi
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M. Saeed Jun 24, 2022 01:53pm
@Pandu, didn't they know after buying the rights from the owner, a receipt has to be given for proof, to the real owner? Or, you buy things from Indian markets, just by verbal payments?
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M. Saeed Jun 24, 2022 01:54pm
@Anonymouseee, they copy any thing that sells well.
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Secular Jun 24, 2022 03:05pm
But the two songs are different.
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A simple Pukhtun Jun 24, 2022 09:54pm
I love VArun dawan, Deepika & Shadi may xaroor ana movie plus their actors.. Talent should be appreciated.. Here my fvrt is Mahira & Fahad Mustafa nowadays & Usman Mukhtar...
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Ali Jun 24, 2022 11:24pm
@Pandu i think you are bit intelligent than your stupid indian copy machines, do you have any clue what copyrights are?
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Ali Jun 24, 2022 11:24pm
@Taj Ahmad sorry mate you're absolutely wrong. We are very unlike Indians. Maybe you and your family resembles them.
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Mr. A Jun 25, 2022 10:47pm
@Taj Ahmad there’s something called copyrights. Copyrights were created so that the artist can benefit from his/her artistic pursuits. This benefit motivates the artist to make his/her art. More often then not the benefit is monetary.
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Asif Jun 26, 2022 09:54pm
@Pandy, I wish Ibrar takes this thing to its logical conclusion and then you will see who is crying.
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SaneMind Jun 27, 2022 01:39pm
Much ado about nothing. Dance is a Dance. Song is a Song. United we Dance, Divided we Tango.
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M Emad Jun 27, 2022 02:06pm
Abrarul Haq wants cheap popularity.
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