#NewsBytesExplainer: Composer Uttam Singh's credit-stealing accusations against 'Gadar 2' makers
What's the story
Sunny Deol starrer Gadar 2 is enjoying a dream box office run and has emerged as one of the most commercially successful films in Hindi cinema history. But it has also encountered its share of controversies.
Recently, music composer Uttam Singh—who scored Gadar (2001)—expressed disappointment over Gadar 2 makers not seeking permission to recreate his songs.
Now, Gadar 2 director Anil Sharma has responded.
Allegations
But first, here are Singh's allegations
Singh told Bombay Times that he wasn't "informed" about the recreation of his tracks Main Nikla and Udd Jaa Kaale for Gadar 2.
"They may have given me the credit, but [that] is not all. They should have told me they were using my songs," he alleged, adding Gadar 2 features his original background music.
"This was very bad on the part of [Sharma]."
Anger
Singh reminisced about 'culture' of music industry
Singh asserted, "I am not saying anything wrong about anybody, I'm just stating facts and truth."
"When people would come to me for background music, I would ask them to get a letter from the composer allowing me to work on the BG music for that particular film."
"This was the culture of our Hindi music industry. Bollywood has ended all this," he added.
Sharma's response
Sharma has promised to speak to Singh
Responding to the controversy, Sharma told the aforementioned portal, "I showed Uttam ji all the songs," adding he was surprised by the composer's new statements.
Technically, the rights were with the label. I still can't believe it. Now that I know about this, I will definitely speak to him," he stated, adding he is very close to Singh and is shocked at this development.
Mithoon's response
How composer Mithoon reacted to controversy
Gadar 2's composer Mithoon has also chimed in the debate, "The rights are with the label...the original music composer's permission to recreate the songs is not needed."
But I had told the makers to talk to the original creator... [Sharma] told me that he had spoken to the original creator and shown him my work. I was told that Uttam ji had liked [it]."
Necessity of songs
Both songs indispensable for narrative
Mithoon spoke about how pivotal the aforementioned songs are.
"When I heard the script, I understood that the story could not be told without these two melodies... I showed respect to fellow artistes by retaining Udit Narayan's vocals, the poetry of Anand Bakshi saab, as well as the music by Uttamji... [Gadar 2] starts with an acknowledgment note for [Singh and Bakshi]," he said.