Mumbai: A legal hurdle has emerged just days before the theatrical release of Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The Trimurti Films Pvt Ltd has gone to the Bombay High Court accusing Karan Johar Dharma Productions of having infringed copyright over the vintage song Saat Samundar Paar. The controversy has revived the debate that is going on concerning the reuse and remodeling of well-known Hindi film songs.
What the Lawsuit Claims
According to court filings, Trimurti Films has alleged that the upcoming romantic comedy uses the tune and lyrics of Saat Samundar Paar without obtaining proper authorisation. The production house has not only claimed damages of Rs 10 crore but has also applied a permanent injunction to prevent the use, adaptation, remix, or exploitation of the song in the film or in any other project. As the film, Tu Meri Main Tera is set to open to theatres on December 25, industry analysts are serving the case with keen interest because of the star power behind it.
Who Has Been Named in the Case
Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures Pvt Ltd, the film producers are defendants in the lawsuit. It also mentions Saregama India Ltd, which is the music label of the original song, and rapper-composer Aditya Prateek Singh, better known as Badshah, who is attributed to the so-called new version of the song. Trimurti Films maintains that the use violates its exclusive rights over the original composition. So far, the defendants have not issued an official response to the allegations.
A Song With Lasting Legacy
Released in 1992, Saat Samundar Paar featured in the film Vishwatma and was picturised on Divya Bharti. The song written by Viju Shah and sung by Sadhana Sargam emerged as one of the biggest hits in the decade. Its enduring popularity has made it both a nostalgic favourite and a valuable piece of intellectual property, often attracting interest for modern reinterpretations.
Remix Culture and Legal Scrutiny
Over the past few years, Bollywood has witnessed the introduction of remix and reimagined versions of old songs. Although some of them have achieved commercial success, some of them have encountered legal difficulties as well as the original rights holders. The case is another addition to this list of growing cases that show the thin line between creative reinterpretation and copyright infringement.
About Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri
Tu Meri Main Tera Tera is a romantic comedy directed by Sameer Vidwans and produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawala, Apoorva Mehta, Bhumika Tewari, Shareen Mantri Kedia and Kishor Arora under Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures. The film stars Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday in the lead, with Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff, and Tiku Talsania playing key supporting roles.
Also Read | Shah Rukh Khan Resumes ‘King’ Shoot on December 20, High Voltage Action Schedule to Begin
