Long, long before the Internet existed, content "creators" had the liberty to lift or simply get inspired by the "viral" stuff from across the globe, floating about in the airwaves, without being called out in front of 5 million furious followers on Twitter or Facebook.
The Indian film industry has had a long and illustrious history of plagiarism. Lets look at a key element of Bollywood films -- the music.
Here's a list of film songs that were either direct lifts, or inspired or borrowed from foreign language songs.
(PS: We haven't added the obvious entries such as Anu Malik or Pritam in the list because we didn't want to exhaust your monthly Internet data plan at one go.)
Copied/Inspired:
1. "Suniye To" (Yes Boss, 1997) -- Jatin-Lalit
Original:
"Ahla Ma Feki" -- Hesham Abbas (1996)
Copied/Inspired:
2. "Mehbooba Mehbooba" (Sholay, 1975) -- R.D. Burman
Original:
"Ta Rialia" -- Mihalis Violaris (1973)
Copied/Inspired:
3. "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko" (Yaadon Ki Baaraat, 1973) -- R. D. Burman
Original:
"If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium" -- Walter Scharf, and covered by Bojoura (1969)
Copied/Inspired:
4. "Koi Mil Gaya" (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, 1998) -- Jatin-Lalit
Original:
"Take That Look Off Your Face" -- Andrew Lloyd Webber (1978)
Copied/Inspired:
5. "Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle" (Aa Gale Lag Jaa, 1973) -- R.D. Burman
Original:
"The Yellow Rose of Texas" is a traditional American folk song dating back to 1858 and has various versions and covers.
Here's one by Mitch Miller (1955) -- The Yellow Rose of Texas
Copied/Inspired:
6. Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, 2001) -- Sandeep Chowta
Original:
"The Heretic Theme" -- Exorcist II (1977)
Copied/Inspired:
7. "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan" (C.I.D., 1956) -- O. P. Nayyar
Original:
"Oh My Darling, Clementine" is an American western folk ballad dating back to 1884 and has various versions and covers. Here's one by Freddy Quinn.
Copied/Inspired:
8. "Aye Dil Laya Hai Bahaar" (Kya Kehna, 2000) -- Rajesh Roshan
Original:
"Oh! Carol" -- Neil Sedaka (1959)
Copied/Inspired:
9. Tumse Milke Aisa Laga (Parinda, 1989) -- R.D. Burman
Original:
"When I Need You" -- Albert Hammond (1976). Although it's version/cover by Leo Sayer was a bigger hit.
Copied/Inspired:
10. "Saala Main Toh Sahab Ban Gaya" (Sagina, 1974) -- S.D. Burman
Original:
"Chella lla'" -- Vincenzo Di Paola and Sandro Taccani (1956). One of its famous interpretations was by Renato Carosone.
Copied/Inspired:
11. Tip Tip Barsa Paani (Mohra, 1994) -- Viju Shah
Original:
"Roll Down Di Rubber Man" -- Dr. Alban. (1992)
Copied/Inspired:
12. "Koi Na Koi Chahiye" (Deewana, 1992) -- Nadeem-Shravan
Original:
"Bird Boy" -- Naná Vasconcelos & The Bushdancers (1990)
Copied/Inspired:
13. Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi (Aashiqui, 1990) -- Nadeem-Shravan
Original:
"Come into my life" -- Joyce Sims (1987)
Copied/Inspired:
14. Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai (Dhadkan, 2000) -- Nadeem-Shravan
Original:
"Ahebak Leh" -- Abdul Majid Abdallah (1995)
Copied/Inspired:
16. Mere Rang Mein (Maine Pyar Kiya, 1989) -- Raam Laxman
Original(s):
"The Final Countdown" -- Europe (1989)
The song was a mashup of two songs actually.
"Where Do I Begin?" -- Love Story (1970). It was covered by Andy Williams.
Copied/Inspired:
17. "Uthe Sab Ke Kadam" (Baton Baton Mein, 1979) -- Rajesh Roshan
Original:
"Polly Wolly Doodle" -- The Littlest Rebel (1935). However, the origin of the song dates back to 18 century.
Copied/Inspired:
18. "Koi Yahan Nache Nache" (Disco Dancer, 1982) -- Bappi Lahiri
Original:
"Video Killed The Radio Star" was first recorded by Bruce Woolley and The Camera Club.
However, the version by Buggles (1979) composition is identical to Bappi Lahiri's "Koi Yahan".
Copied/Inspired:
19. "Na Jaane Ne" (ChaalBaaz, 1989) -- Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Original:
"Part Time Lover" -- Stevie Wonder (1985)
Copied/Inspired:
20. "Kambakht Ishq" (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, 2001) -- Sandeep Chowta
Original:
"Eireann" -- Afro Celt Sound System (1999)
Copied/Inspired:
21. "Sachi Ye Kahani Hai" (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, 1994) -- Jatin-Lalit
Original(s):
The intro (prelude) is from "Rasputin" by Boney M (1978)
While the rest of the song is from "In Zaire" (dedicated to boxing champion Muhammad Ali) by Johnny Wakelin (1976).
Copied/Inspired:
22. "Pehli Pehli Baar" (Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, 1998) -- Jatin-Lalit
Original:
"Born To Be Alive" -- Patrick Hernandez (1979)
Copied/Inspired:
23. "Ladki Kyun" (Hum Tum, 2004) -- Jatin-Lalit
Original:
"Roya" -- Andranik Madadian (2000)
Copied/Inspired:
24. "Inteha Ho Gai" (Sharaabi, 1984) -- Bappi Lahiri
Original:
"The Runner" -- The Three Degrees (1979)
Copied/Inspired:
25. "Laila O Laila" (Qurbani, 1980) -- Kalyanji-Anandji
Original:
"Chicano" -- Black Blood (1975)
Copied/Inspired:
26. "Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye" (Jurm, 1990) -- Rajesh Roshan
Original:
"Hear The Whistle Blow A Hundred Miles" -- Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs (1967)
Copied/Inspired:
27. "Dil Deke Dekho" (Dil Deke Dekho, 1959) -- Usha Khanna
Original:
"Sugartime" -- McGuire Sisters (1958)
Copied/Inspired:
28. "Yoonhi Kat Jaayega Safar" (Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke, 1993) -- Nadeem-Shravan
Original:
"Lovely Lady Of Arcadia" -- Demis Roussos (1978)
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