Pritam Defends Jennie Amid ‘Like Jennie’ Plagiarism Row; Alia Bhatt Fans Call Out Similarity

Earlier this month, BLACKPINK’s Jennie released her latest track, Like Jennie, which quickly became a topic of debate among music lovers. Many Bollywood fans noticed a striking resemblance between the song and the Rani Theme from the 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, composed by Pritam. The controversy sparked discussions across social media, with some accusing Jennie of plagiarism. However, Pritam has now broken his silence, defending the global artist and calling the similarity a mere coincidence. Taking to Instagram, Pritam shared a series of notes addressing the issue.

Rani and Jennie are names that rhyme, so a similar flow in one phrase doesn’t make it a copy. In music, minor similarities are bound to happen—whether through rhymes, phrasing, or even within the same genre.

- Pritam Chakraborty

He further added, “Instead of focusing on tiny details, it’s important to see the bigger picture. In today’s interconnected world, where artists share the same platforms, no one is deliberately trying to copy someone else’s work. Creating a song takes immense effort, and if an artist truly resonates with an idea, they can simply collaborate."

Pritam concluded his statement by emphasizing the importance of creativity and artistic influence. “Music is about creativity, unique artistic perspective, influence, and sometimes pure coincidence—especially when artists exist on the same creative wavelength. Rather than tearing artists down, celebrating their work makes far more sense.” He also wished Jennie ‘good luck’ for her new album before signing off.

The debate continues online, with Bollywood fans pointing out the similarities in the rhythmic beats and chanting style between Like Jennie and the Rani Theme. While some believe this is an example of cultural exchange in the global music industry, others argue that such incidents highlight the thin line between inspiration and imitation.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Pritam’s support for Jennie has added a fresh perspective to the controversy, shifting the conversation towards creativity and collaboration rather than accusations.