Baaghi 2 song Mundiyan embroiled in legal controversy; makers of film accused of plagiarism, copyright infringement

Tiger Shroff-Disha Patani starrer Baaghi 2 released their first song 'Mundiyan' a few weeks back. The song was a revamped version of the late Labh Janjua-voiced 'Mundiyan Te Bach Ke' that released in 1996 under the music label of Punjabi MC and went on to become a massive hit.

Now the original lyricist of the song, Charanjit Singh Maakar (also known as Channi Khannewala) has reportedly sued the makers of Baaghi 2 for copyright infringement with charges of plagiarism and alteration of lyrics, reports Mumbai Mirror.

Still from the Baaghi 2 song 'Mundiyan'. YouTube screengrab

The original song 'Mundiyan Te Bach Ke' was not only a classic among Punjabi folk pop listeners in India, but also abroad as the British-Punjabi singer Rajinder Singh Rai remixed the song adding Bhangra beats to it. And thus by 2002, it had become a worldwide sensation.

Mirror's report further adds that it was during the same time lyricist Maakar and the singer Janjua filed for copyright of the song and got it notarised in order to prevent the song being reused, revamped, filmed or composed in any other language without their written consent.

Speaking to Mirror about this, Maakar says, "So imagine my shock when I was home in Punjab and saw a Hindi version of our song, 'Mundiyan,' playing on TV. The words of the first two lines and the last stanza had been changed but it was still our song," further adding, "The noticees deliberately deprived me of my royalty. It is not only cheating, but also disrespecting a legend like Labh."

Maakar even tried reaching out to the producer of Baaghi 2 Sajid Nadiadwala who completely ignored him. Leaving no choice, Maakar sent a legal notice to director Ahmed Khan, music label T-Series, lyricist Ginni Diwan, music director Sandeep Shirodkar, playback singers Navraj Hans and Palak Muchhal and Tiger Shroff, reports Mirror. He also approached the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief Prasoon Joshi and the Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd regarding the issue.

Maakar also said that in the 2003 film, Boom, a remixed version of the song was used similarly without seeking any permission. After Janjua and he challenged the makers of the film in court, the song had to be removed from the film. However, later when American rapper Jay-Z approached them for a remix, they agreed and are still getting royalty for the revamped track. The song was used as part of the OST of the 2012 Sacha Baron Cohen starrer The Dictator.