The remake of the popular song ‘Pasoori’ for an upcoming Bollywood movie has sparked outrage on Pakistani Twitter. Ali Sethi and Shae Gill’s hit song, originally from Pakistan, has been recreated for the film ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha,’ featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani. While the movie is scheduled for release on June 28, the teaser was shared three weeks ago, and the song itself was released on Monday, leading to an outpouring of anger among Pakistanis.
Concerns over the Remake
‘Pasoori Nu’ has been sung by Arijit Singh, and despite attempts by Bollywood to modify the lyrics and rejuvenate the song, many believe it was done with the intention of capitalizing on the fame of the original ‘Pasoori.’ The legal sourcing of the song has also raised widespread speculation. Although Ali Sethi owns the rights to the song and not Coke Studio, he has remained silent on the matter and has not responded to requests for comments from Images.
Reaction on Social Media
Actor Adnan Siddiqui had mentioned the song as a rumor before its official confirmation, and unfortunately, all the rumors turned out to be true. Netizens took to Twitter to express their disappointment with Bollywood’s inability to produce original songs. The use of a Punjabi melody in a predominantly Gujarati setting and the odd choice of a lament as a romantic song became the subject of discussion on Twitter. Pakistanis were quick to notice how the promotional video hailed the song as a “global hit” instead of recognizing it as a Pakistani production. Many users shared snippets of the original Coke Studio version, bringing it to the forefront of the conversation.
Ownership and Protection of Pakistani Hits
Twitter users displayed their trademark humor by creating memes that compared Arijit Singh’s version with Sethi’s original masterpiece. People felt a strong sense of ownership over the song and questioned both Coke Studio and Ali Sethi about its protection in the global music industry. Sadly, this is not the first time such incidents have occurred. Bollywood sometimes licenses songs, while other times it shamelessly copies them. Examples include Abrar-ul-Haq’s ‘Nach Punjaban,’ Nazia Hassan’s ‘Disco Deewane,’ and countless others.
Bollywood’s Choices
Given the immense talent among musicians and songwriters in Bollywood, it is perplexing why they feel the need to rewrite and remake Pakistani hits, especially those that recently dominated music charts. This practice raises questions about the industry’s creative integrity and its reliance on established foreign tracks instead of fostering originality.
In conclusion, the remake of ‘Pasoori’ for the Bollywood movie ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ has triggered a wave of outrage on Pakistani Twitter. The concerns surrounding the song’s legality and the lack of originality in Bollywood’s music choices have sparked intense discussions and disappointment among netizens. As the release of the movie approaches, it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact its reception and the future relationship between the two entertainment industries.