Why Saat Samundar Paar’s in court; Anand Bakshi’s son calls out new version in Kartik Aaryan film: ‘Why dishonour anyone’s work by…’

Dharma Productions has previously followed this tactic successfully in films like Johar’s 2023 hit family comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (“Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar”) and Anand Tiwari’s romantic comedy Bad Newz (“Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam”) last year, where songs from Saregama Caravan’s extensive catalogue were used and recreated throughout the film.

“It’s a bad trend where (filmmakers) are using (old) songs and claiming that they are taking (the rights) from the music company. What has happened here is that Saregama thinks it owns the music of Vishwatma. The label can use the songs (for TV shows and stage performances), but it cannot take the music from my film and put it in another movie. They must approach me for my permission, pay me for it, and everything needs to be documented legally,” Rai had told Mid-Day.

Matter is now in court

When SCREEN reached out to Rai and the original music composer, Viju Shah, both declined to comment, confirming that the matter is now sub judice. It’s a very complicated case given there’s ambiguity on who owns the rights of the song between Rajiv Rai and Saregama Music. The next hearing, where arguments regarding the rights would be heard, will take place on January 9 once the courts reopen post the year-end break.

In the latest hearing, the judge decided not to ask Dharma Productions to remove the song from the film or its publicity material till the case is not completely tried and heard. The judge felt removing the song from the film, which is slated to release in cinemas tomorrow on the occasion of Christmas, would cause inconvenience to the producer.

Not a first-time offender

Previously, Dharma Productions and Rohit Shetty Picturez had also used the popular song “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” from Rai’s 1994 action thriller Mohra. But a meeting with the makers was followed by an out of court settlement with Rai. Another song from the film, “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast,” was recently used in the Hindi teaser of Sheneil Deo’s Telugu action romance Dacoit: A Love Story, but Rai confirmed that the use was authorized and paid for.

As an exception, Rai lent the song “Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela” from his 1997 romantic thriller Gupt: The Hidden Truth to be used for a crucial climactic sequence in Aryan Khan’s Netflix India show The Ba***ds of Bollywood earlier this year. Rai said that he did it as a friendly favour to the producer Shah Rukh Khan and his longtime collaborator Bobby Deol, who also featured in the original song.

Anand Bakshi’s son reacts

The original “Saat Samundar Paar” song was written by late legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi. However, the credits on YouTube and Spotify for the new version club his lyrics credit with Karan Nawani, who has also sung the track and provided additional music. “How strange! They’ve credited the singer as co-composer and co-lyricist,” said Rakesh Anand Bakshi, son of the late singer, who has also authored the latter’s 2021 biography Nagme, Kisse, Baatein, Yaadein: The Life and Lyrics of Anand Bakshi.

“It’s not a crime, but why dishonour anyone’s work by claiming co-creator’s credit for two lines?,” Rakesh told SCREEN. The music credits have been divided into Original Music (Viju Shah) and Music (Karan Nawani), but the singer-composer shares the singular lyrics credit with Bakshi. “Like they’ve put the original/additional music in the credits, they could have done it with the lyrics too,” added Rakesh.

“I appreciate the singer has composed it slower and sung it well, but I don’t appreciate the lyrics he recreated. They are not in keeping with the thought behind the earlier verse. It’s a mismatch and breaks the continuity of the earlier verse,” said Rakesh. He added that when he raised the issue to a streaming platform, they informed him that the credits were shared by the producer/publisher of the song.

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Rakesh also revealed an interesting insight into his father’s lyrics of “Saat Samundar Paar.” “He actually wrote it for my ex-wife. She was from Kenya and a British citizen. She came all the way to get married to me. So, it’s a very special song for me. My father wrote it like that because it also suited the situation in the film,” said Rakesh.