Pritam denies charges of plagiarism

Mumbai, Feb 28 (IANS) Composer Pritam Chakarborty has denied charges that the chartbuster 'Yeh ishq haaye' in Imtiaz Ali's 'Jab We Met' is rip-off from Indonesian singer Anggun's French number 'Etre une femme'.

'I've never denied sources for my songs. So why should I deny it now? But the fact is, I had never heard Anggun's song when I composed the song in 'Jab We Met',' Pritam told IANS.

'I don't know the song myself. My friend, a keyboard player, had the groove programmed. I liked the groove and I composed my tune on it. I composed the song in front of so many people. I can guarantee the melody isn't anyone's but my own,' he added.

Pritam never denies his sources of inspiration. Whether it is the successful songs in 'Awaraapan' or 'Race', he has accepted 'inspirational charges' with grace.

'But that's it. Not a note in the rest of my song ('Yeh ishq haaye') sounds like Anggun's tune. And if anyone can prove I've copied her song, I'm ready to stop composing songs forever,' the composer said.

'In fact, let me tell you my songs in Mukesh Bhatt's forthcoming 'Jannat', which I had claimed were completely original are no longer so. Some parts of the soundtrack now have borrowed sounds. But 'Yeh ishq haye' in 'Jab We Met' is original,' Pritam said.