Replayy time for Pritam?

That Pritam has again been accused of plagiarism doesn’t come as a surprise. It’s simply another addition to the long list of alleged lifts that have Pritam have been accused of.
But what could be of importance is that, this time around, the allegation is about a number from a Vipul Shah film. Incidentally, Shah had been very vocal about original content so much so that he had also fought a case against the makers of “Poran Jai Jolia Re” that was supposed to be a copy of “Namastey London”.
Assamese singer Kumar Bhabesh has alleged that Pritam’s “Zor Ka Jhatka” number has copied from two of his numbers.“The mukhda of “ZKJ” resembles my composition ‘Dehati lahi lahi’ from the album, “Sunpahi”. The tune of the antara is a copy of my song, “Ruksana”, from the album “Roja”. While “Sunpahi” was released in 2000, “Roza” was released in 2008.” Since I was busy shooting a music video in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam for the past two months, I couldn’t voice my opinion. The whole of Assam has heard my number and is supporting me,” says Bhabesh, who also has a Hindi and a Bengali album to his credit apart from many Assamese numbers.
Interestingly enough, the audio CD of “Action Replayy” does mention a credit for “ZKJ”. It’s a different thing that the creditline reads as ‘based on traditional melody’ and has no reference to Kumar Bhabesh. Copyright cases are not entertained when a song is in the domain of folk.
Ask Bhabesh if his numbers too are based on traditional melodies and, hence, the similarity with “ZKJ” and he says, “There could be some traditional notes. But the main tune and the lyrics of the songs have been composed by me. The songs are extremely popular in Assam. Pritam could have at least told me that he wants to use a similar tune. There was absolutely no communication between us. I am waiting for Pritam’s reaction. If he doesn’t respond, I’ll be forced to take legal action.” Though there have been several plagiarism charges against Pritam, there haven’t yet been a single instance of a legal case being filed against him.
While Bhabesh says he is saddened by Pritam’s act, he would want director Vipul Shah to take up his case. “I am told that he has fought a plagiarism case in Kolkata. I want to tell him that injustice has been done to me. Senior musicians in Assam have called me up to say that they too have spotted that the “AR” number is a copy of two of my numbers,” says the singer who has already come up with 3,000 songs.
While it still remains to be seen whether “ZKJ” is indeed based on a traditional melody or a borrowed number, director Vipul Shah’s comment in the context of plagiarism charges against a song from his film is very relevant. Says Shah, “I will take action if I get to know that the song is a copy. I will never accept any such thing. I am absolutely sure that this is not a copy. Pritam can prove it for sure. I will also check out the links of the Assamese songs. I will meet Pritam today and take his point of view and, then, decide my course of action.”
Some hours later, Shah sent us a text message that read thus: “Pritam is in Dubai and is hurt to be dragged once again in a plagiarism case. “ZKJ” is based on Rabha folk and Jikir from Assam. It also has shades of “Pal Naam.” We have given credit in the CD saying that “ZKJ” melody is traditional.” Does Shah think Bhabesh is saying all this for publicity? “I can’t say that. It is possible that his tune is also from folk and, so, they sound similar.
I will get the original folk song from Pritam once he is back. It’s between them now. I’ve asked some musicians also and one of the musicians, who is from Assam, has told me that Pritam is right. Now, I will wait for Pritam to come and give me the folk song. So, for me, it ends there.”While it’s ‘replayy’ time now, let’s hope all that happens next is music to the ears for everyone.
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