KEY POINTS
- Pakistani fans accuse Indian filmmakers of copying drama song “Laal Suit”
- Earlier, Bollywood copied songs like “Sayonee,” “Nach Punjaban,” and “Afreen Afreen”
- Popular Pakistani dramas such as Humsafar and Alpha Bravo Charlie have also reportedly inspired Indian productions
ISLAMABAD: Bollywood is once again facing criticism for allegedly copying Pakistani content, this time for its song “Danger” from the newly released film Param Sundari.
The track, featuring Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, is being widely compared to the popular Pakistani drama song “Laal Suit” from Mannat Murad – with social media users accusing Indian filmmakers of lifting not just the melody, but even the beat, composition, and choreography.
Pakistani fans quickly called out the similarities online, sparking a fresh debate around Bollywood’s repeated use of Pakistani music and themes without acknowledgment.
“Bollywood either copies our content or bans our artists,” one user posted, while another said the tune was an “instant giveaway” as a “straight copy.”
“Laal Suit”, originally performed in Mannat Murad starring Iqra Aziz and Talha Chahour, was a hit across Pakistan, especially during wedding season.
Its catchy beat and vibrant visuals became a cultural moment – now allegedly imitated by one of India’s biggest film industries.
This isn’t the first time Bollywood has been accused of lifting from across the border. Pakistani critics argue that India’s entertainment industry continues to show signs of creative stagnation, regularly borrowing from Pakistani dramas, songs, and themes without credit.
Meanwhile, Param Sundari is also under scrutiny for other reasons. Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal of a South Indian character has sparked backlash from audiences in Kerala, who say her accent and cultural depiction are inaccurate.
In response, the actress said her role is written as half-Tamilian, half-Malayali, which explains the mixed traits.
Still, the controversy over both the song and cultural portrayal has left Param Sundari caught in a storm of criticism, with many viewers – on both sides of the border – calling for more originality and better representation in Indian cinema.
Social media users were quick to call out that this isn’t the first time Bollywood has landed in hot water for copying Pakistani music without giving credit where it’s due.
From Junoon’s powerful anthem “Sayonee” to Abrar-ul-Haq’s wedding favorite “Nach Punjaban,” many Pakistani songs have quietly made their way into Indian films – remixed, renamed, and released with no mention of their origins.
“Bollywood either borrows our brilliance or stop doing this act. They already have banned our artists from social media as well,” one user commented, as #StopCopyingPakistaniContent started trending once again.
And this isn’t just about one or two songs. Over the years, Pakistan’s musical gems like Hadiqa Kiani’s “Boohey Barian,” Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Afreen Afreen,” and the Sabri Brothers’ “Tajdar-e-Haram” have all been recreated across the border, often stirring public backlash.
It’s not just music either. Popular Pakistani dramas such as “Humsafar,” “Shehr-e-Zaat,” and “Alpha Bravo Charlie” are said to have inspired storylines in Indian cinema and TV – yet their Pakistani roots are rarely acknowledged.
While cultural exchange between the two countries is natural, many in Pakistan feel that giving credit isn’t just polite, it’s necessary.
Artists like Abrar-ul-Haq, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and Hadiqa Kiani, in the past, have voiced their frustration, urging Bollywood to respect creative ownership and seek permission before adapting content that already has deep cultural value.
