It’s is 2019 and apart from the fact that the world has been hit by the climate change catastrophe, the Indian music industry has also been hit by a crisis. The crisis is the lack of original content and the increasing number of remakes be it for movies or songs. Even the people who are an eminent part of Bollywood aren’t happy with the ‘remake culture’ and have time and again raised their voices against copyright infringement by the makers.
Recently, British music composer Dr Zeus accused the makers of the movie, ‘Bala’ for plagiarism. The movie features the remix of Dr Zeus’s original song ‘Don’t Be Shy’ by Rouge. The producer of the hit song, Dr Zeus wasn’t very impressed with people remaking his songs, reported India Today. In his tweet, he accused the makers of recreating the song for the movie without his permission.
Are u guys taking the piss @sonymusicindia @MaddockFilms @Its_Badshah @SonyMusicUK @SachinJigarLive wen did u compose don’t b shy & kangna.. more to the point how dare u guys b riding off ma old hits & fuckin them up??? Ya need to get original🖕🏽My lawyers will b in touch🖕🏽
— Dr Zeus (@drzeusworld) October 18, 2019
However, song maker and rapper Badshah was quick to write an apology on Twitter. He stated that he agreed to remake the song only after they had all the necessary rights.
— BADSHAH 2.0 (@Its_Badshah) October 18, 2019
Last month, even music composer Vishal Dadlani publically announced of suing anyone for ‘making remixes of Vishal & Shekhar songs.’
Warning: I WILL sue anyone making remixes of Vishal & Shekhar songs. I'll even move court against the films & musicians.
After Saaki Saaki, I hear upcoming bastardisations include Dus Bahaane, Deedaar De, Sajnaji Vaari Vaari, Desi Girl & more.
Make your own songs, vultures!
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) October 30, 2019
Following the entire banter between music composers and filmmakers for the recreation of the old originals, even the ‘bad boy Badshah’ said in an interview ‘bas boht ho gai remakes.’ In an interview, Badshah talks about the mushrooming remake trend in Bollywood and that he is done making remakes, reported News18.
“If you ask me my take, ‘bas boht ho gai remakes.’ I agree with Vishal sir and I second him.I think the original makers should get their due.” He mentioned about his controversy with Dr Zeus concerning the rights of the song and said that he respects the feelings of the producer and did the song only because they had the rights. “For corporate artists, it’s (a song) is just a product. For us artists, it’s our baby. I was aware why Zeus ‘paji’ was angry.
He further adds, “Remakes ‘bahut personal opinion hai. But kai saare remakes ab aise ho rahe hain, mujhe samajh nahin aa raha kya ho raha hai. Kyun kar rahe hain?’ For me I think, I am done with remakes. Because quality itni kharaab ho gai hai remakes ki, ki bas.”
When asked if he will do remakes in the future, he says, “People still approach me for remakes but I won’t do them. No one in the industry is happy doing remakes. Even the audiences aren’t enjoying the remakes anymore,” he adds.
Talking about his love life, he said, “I was madly in love with this girl. I was probably three years old when I fell in love with her. She was with me, but she left me because it was not a ‘proper choice’,” reported HT.
Badshah, who started his music career in 2006, said his family wasn’t initially sure about his music career until they saw him making it big. “One fine day, I brought this expensive car and parked it in front of my house. Dad asked, ‘Whose car is this?’ I was like, ‘It’s mine.’ He was like, ‘How did you get this?’ I told him that I do music and then it occurred to him that isse paise bhi aate hai,” he said.
“For him, it didn’t matter ki main TV pe aa raha hoon. For him, what mattered was, ‘Are you making enough money to survive?’ Because this is not a conventional job. It’s fine if you are on TV and people are taking pictures with you but where is the money? That is what parents are concerned about,” he said.
Well, with the controversies swelling up around remixes, only time and creators will decide if the trend will come to an end or not. Meanwhile, share your take on the entire recreation trend blooming in Bollywood.