Zandu Balm to sue Dabangg

Emami, Kolkata-based manufacturers of Zandu Balm, have served a legal notice on the producers of the Salman Khan-starrer for using the name of their product in the film's highlight item song, Munni badnaam. The portion of the song's lyrics deemed offensive by the company goes, 'Main Zandu Balm hui, darling tere liye'.

"We have issued a legal notice to the film production company for using our brand (Zandu) in the song. It is a case of copyright infringement," said Mohan Goenka, director, Emami Limited.

The notice, dated September 17, was served by the company's counsel Ashok M. Saraogi to the film's producers - Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan, Arbaaz's wife Malaika Arora Khan and Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Limited - and director Abhinav Kashyap.

The notice demands the makers of Dabangg should remove the song from the film, or delete the name of their product from it. Failure to do so, the notice added, could force Emami to initiate civil and criminal action against the film's producers.

"In the song, the name 'Zandu Balm' has been used at various places. You have not only violated the copyright of my clients, but you have also made an attempt to defame the reputation of my clients and the product manufactured by them," Saraogi stated in the notice.

The claim that Emami are defamed and shocked comes as a surprise considering they had recently declared that the sales of Zandu Balm had gone up since the song started being aired on television.

The company was reportedly also contemplating a new television commercial based on the hit song.

When contacted, the film's debutant director refused to comment. "I have no idea about the issue. As the director, the film is out of my hands now. It's Arbaaz Khan's property. Plus, since the issue is sub- judice, there's no need for anyone to speak about it," Kashyap said.

Arbaaz denied receiving a notice from Emami. "I don't want to comment until I get it. Also, my film was released long ago and the song has been playing for an equally long time. So, I think these people are looking for some sort of publicity," he said.

Bollywood has come out in support of Team Dabangg. Said composer Shantanu Moitra: " Technically, the name of a popular brand can't be used in a song without the company's permission. But I don't think the makers of Dabangg had an intention to malign the company's name.

What amazes me is that these things only happen when a song or a film goes on to become a big hit. It's an era of sensationalism and such things can give great publicity in the short term." Veteran lyricist Sameer said: "I fail to understand the company's reaction. By using the product's name, the makers haven't spoilt the balm's image and stature. They haven't made a comment on whether the balm is good or bad.

Rather, the company should be happy that their brand has received publicity because of a hit song. If claims are made on such small things, it will be difficult to write anything creative. "Munni badnaam , written and composed by Lalit Pandit is sung by newcomers Mamta Sharma and Aishwarya. It has been a major reason for the sustaining popularity of Dabangg.

Industry experts believe that the controversy won't affect the film as it has already done a whopping business.

"Salman and Arbaaz don't need to use a balm brand to make their film a hit," trade analyst Taran Adarsh said.

Pandit had claimed that the credit for using the term ' Zandu Balm' in the song goes to director Madhur Bhandarkar. " Whenever Madhur forgets someone's name, he calls him Zandu Balm. I thought I must include that in the lyrics," Lalit had said.

( with inputs from agencies)