Is Dabangg 2’s Pandeyjee Seeti Bajaye inspired by Teesri Kasam’s Chalat Musafir?

Is Dabangg 2’s Pandeyjee Seeti Bajaye inspired by Teesri Kasam’s Chalat Musafir?

Yesteryear lyricist-producer Shailendra’s family alleges copyright infringement

    Yesteryear lyricist and filmmaker Shailendra’s family is unhappy with the song Pandeyjee Seeti Bajaye from Dabangg 2. According to his granddaughter Priyannkka Shaily Shailendra, the song is inspired from the track Chalat Musafir, composed by Shankar-Jaikishan for her grandfather’s production, Teesri Kasam (1966). She has sent a legal notice to the producers and associates of the film.
    Composers Sajid-Wajid have claimed that it’s a folk tune, so they didn’t buy the rights. However, Priyannkka maintains that apart from the first stanza, the tune is inspired. “There’s definitely an issue of copyright infringement,” she says, adding, “No consent was taken from the family. So, we have raised the issue that some acknowledgement be given to Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishen.”
    Asked if they’ve contacted Salman Khan and director Arbaaz Khan, Priyannkka says that she’s “trying to talk to Arbaaz”. She recalls an earlier experience, “When the song Bambai Se Aaya Mera Dost (Aap Ki Khatir, 1977) was changed to India Se Aaya Mera Dost for Chandni Chowk To China (2009), I spoke to producer Ramesh Sippy. But nothing came out of it. So, in this case, I had decided to send the legal notice before it was too late.”
    Adds Priyannkka, “It’s primarily about safeguarding and protecting the legacy of the legends who created such beautiful songs. Besides, copyright issues are constantly taking place in the industry.” When told that an issue is being made about her notice, Priyannkka says, “The family only hopes that Shailendra and Shankar-Jaikishen be shown due courtesy, nothing more. But it seems it’s not acceptable to those associated with Dabangg 2.”
    Composer Sajid maintains, “Our lawyer has replied to the legal notice. We’ve used a folk tune, which is a national property and brought it out for today’s generation.”

A still from Pandeyjee Seeti Bajaye (Dabangg 2)