Bollywood Once Again Accused of Copying From Pakistan’s Music Scene

This isn’t new territory for India’s film industry. Over the years, several Pakistani tracks have re-emerged in Bollywood projects, often in slightly altered versions, prompting criticism and even mockery online. One recent case was The Punjaabban Song from the 2022 film JugJugg Jeeyo, which was lifted from Abrar ul Haq’s classic Nach Punjaban—something the singer himself publicly condemned.

What makes the current debate stand out, however, is the reminder of Pakistan’s remarkable musical creativity. From soulful ghazals to modern pop, the country has consistently produced music that resonates globally. Bollywood, on the other hand, has struggled in recent years to recreate the kind of timeless hits that once defined its sound, particularly between the early 2000s and 2020.

Even Indian singer Shilpa Rao has acknowledged the distinction, calling Coke Studio Pakistan the country’s “main thing.” But Pakistan’s music legacy goes far beyond Coke Studio. Its television industry alone has delivered countless drama OSTs that became household favourites, underscoring just how deep and versatile the nation’s musical talent runs.

Here’s how social media users reacted

TBH they both sound similar to the Jass Manak song “Jee Ni Karda”—just the tempo and scale are different. This makes even Mannat Murad’s OST a copy https://t.co/SSYzpsxaMd pic.twitter.com/eEgKfAvRwO

— r. ☀️ (@desicroissant) August 22, 2025

Doesn’t the Laal Saari bit in the Danger song in #ParamSundari sound like the Laal Suit bit in the OST of #MannatMurad from 2023 🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/JK811dbb6C

— ainy (@annie725363893) August 22, 2025