Will plagiarism stop in Bollywood?

Lately, music directors have realized music knows no language and have found wonderful melodies in Korean, Arabic, Latin and French music that is not widely heard in India. Race's Pehli Nazar Mein is soulful but apparently it is lifted from a Korean song titled Sarang hae Yo.

But will this first-of-its-kind case stop the plagiarism virus which has infected most Bollywood music composers?

Salim Merchant of Salim-Sulaiman, the pioneers of background score in Bollywood with Bhoot, Kaal and composers of the peppy soundtrack of Chak De! India says, "It's just really a shame that in a country of a billion people we cannot come up with original stuff. I don't know if this case will end plagiarism but I would like to appeal to composers to do and use only their original compositions."


Anu Malik who has often been in the news for lifting tracks feels that the judgment of the High Court is absolutely correct. "When you use somebody's music, you must give them the credit they deserve or buy rights from them because it is their hard work and creativity. Since film-making is team work, so directors, producers, actors, everyone should encourage each other to be original and creative. When a music director is signed on, the producer expects good and original work from him which people will love."


Shekhar of Vishal-Shekhar remained tight-lipped on the issue – probably had to do with the fact that Vishal is a part of the controversial film. "I really do not want to comment on the issue but I am completely against people who copy music."

Bappa Lahiri who is a new addition to the world of Bollywood and its ways has a more idealistic approach. "Music is God's gift. When someone creates their music it's their baby. I would obviously not support stealing someone's original creation," says the young composer.



Some of the infamous inspired tracks:

Jab kisi ki taraf dil from Pyar to hona hi Tha sounds like Bryan Adams' Have you ever really loved a woman?

Show me the Money from Apna Sapna Money Money is exactly like the Buttons video of The Pussycat Dolls.

The title track of Kya Kehna has the same tune as Oh Carol.

Oh Priya from Kahin Pyaar Na ho Jaaye is heavily borrowed from Santana's Maria Maria.

Haan haan yeh pyar hai from Dillagi will make you want to listen to You're too good to be True.