Pritam in depression: I did not steal ...

By Subhash K Jha

The super-successful Pritam Chakraborty is a very unhappy man right now.

The accusation that the track Hai junoon from New York is copied from a track Naluri lelaki by the Samsons has put the composer in a state of depression.

Defending himself Pritam says, "When I was getting inspired by outside sources I openly admitted it, right up to the title track in Race. Now when I am not copying from any source why am I being attacked? Hai junoon is not copied from any source. I can swear on my music on that. I've vowed never to copy from any source."

Surprisingly the charge was leveled first by singer Pankaj Awasthi on the internet. Awasthi has sung for Pritam in New York.

On Yashraj Films' request Awasthi hastily withdrew his palgiarism allegations against Pritam But the damage was done.

The latest allegation has taken its toll on Pritam's family life.

"My wife is very disturbed. And I haven't slept for two nights, " said Pritam on Sunday afternoon. "What is the point of success when we aren't allowed to enjoy it? The internet us filled with abuse against me. It's unfair. That's all I can say."

Pritam returned from Goa before he was assailed by these accusations. He was there for a very unusual assignment. We generally have composers settling scores before the film starts shooting, or at the most delivering individual songs before it's being shot.

But here's a case in reverse. Pritam flew to Goa this week to check out the shooting of Rohit Shetty's All The Best before composing the song.

Explains Pritam, "I understood what my producer Ajay Devgan and the director Rohit wanted. And I already had a couple of tunes in mind for the situation. But we decided I go there get a feel of the mood and then compose. Once I went to Goa I got a complete feel of the rhythm and tempo and atmosphere of the scene. I immediately knew which tune to use."

Pritam returned from Goa to these terrible accusations.