i dont know how atif got the copyrights to sell to the bhatt guy but this is very interesting stuff in this article. Why did jal break up and whose song is it?? why is there so much fighting going on over the song?? i think jal should sue atif not the bhatt’s because if its true that atif has to copyrights then atif should get in trouble.
http://movies.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1116922.cms
Mukesh Bhatt: ‘I don’t need Pakistan to give me hits’
URVASHI ASHAR
INDIATIMES MOVIES
During an Indiatimes chat, the Pakistani music group ‘Jal’, responsible for the song ‘Woh Lamhe’, expressed disappointment with the Bhatt clan, saying, “It was in Pakistan that we heard our composition, “Woh Lamhe” in a Hindi film (‘Zeher’) and felt hurt that nobody took our permission before using it.”
When we got in touch with Mahesh Bhatt and asked him for his explanation, he said, “I thought the issue was already sorted out. They came to our office; we showed them the legal documents of the transactions made with their representative. They should be questioning the label they have sold their album to and not us. Mukesh (Bhatt) and I are too big to be irresponsible in such matters.”
Producer Mukesh Bhatt told us that “Najam Sharaz, a popular Pakistani singer, helped us get in touch with Aatif (who was once part of ‘Jal’). He claimed that he had sung the song and was its rightful owner. We flew Aatif to Mumbai, put him up in a hotel for a week and re-recorded the whole song. We have borrowed only the basic melody from the album song, and re-worked ‘Woh Lamhe’ to suit the current trend. I have an ear for music and made the necessary changes to make it what it is. If you hear the original version, you’re not going to be very impressed.”
Mukesh goes on, “If ‘Jal’ continues to claim that we did not seek permission, let me tell you that I had no reason to doubt it when I was told that Aatif held the copyright to the song. Najam and Aatif are big singers, and I took their word for it. I paid Aatif his fee. I want to ask the band, when the music released eight months ago, where were they? Why didn’t they claim their rights then? It’s such a big thing - why didn’t they scream from the rooftops? Now that the music has become a hit, they want to jump on to the credit bandwagon. They are misusing the opportunity.”
This seems to have become more than an issue between individuals. “People in Pakistan, I guess, are not very well versed with copyright issues,” continues Mukesh. “And Mahesh and I are giving them a pedestal to showcase their talents. Instead of appreciating the fact, they are accusing us. All I have to say is that I don’t need Pakistani singers if they are going to behave this way and show no decorum. Let them rot there. I have 20 other very talented singers here who are more than willing to work for me. I made an ‘Ashiqui’ and a ‘Ghulam’ without them. Yash Chopra’s brilliant musicals didn’t need Pakistani singers. Had you heard of ‘Woh Lamhe’ before ‘Zeher’ released? We made it popular. And why are they bringing the issue up now, when they ideally should have done so months ago? If they really believe they are right, tell them to go ahead and send us a legal notice and take us to court. I don’t believe in such foul play.”
Is this becoming a cross-border issue? Can it be sorted out amicably, and soon? We certainly hope so!
kameenay!
Bhatts need to be reminded of their auqaat. They are theives themselves and using harsh language for the youngsters they have been robbing for years.