Dabangg's original soundtrack may be flying off the shelves, as confirmed by leading music shops in the city, but here is a screechy footnote: the album's chartbuster — Munni Badnaam Hui — is a straight lift from the soundtrack of a Pakistani film.

The movie is Mr Charlie and the song 'Ladka badnaam hua haseena tere liye'.

The Pakistani song, which has been copied note for note by Lalit Pandit (of Jatin-Lalit fame) for Dabangg, was recorded back in 1993.

That year, to put things in perspective, two films of Salman's released — Chandra Mukhi and Dil Tera Aashiq. Both bombed at the box office.

'Ladka badnaam hua haseena tere liye' was picturised on Pakistani stand-up comedian-actor-producer-director Umer Sharif.

The song's lyrics are the only original element in its copy in Dabangg.

When contacted to Umer Sharif, he sounded both amused and angry. "Yeh chori nahin, seena zori hein," he said, and added that he had heard about the plagiarisation a couple of days back. "I am more surprised than angry.

If one has a name in the industry, every attempt should be made to make sure that it does not get sullied. I wish one of the Khan brothers (Salman/Arbaaz/Sohail) had made at least a courtesy call to me."

Sharif said he would raise the matter with the industry in Pakistan and "see what can be done."

Lalit flatly denied he copied Ladka badnaam hua haseena tere liye. I am busy in a meeting," he said before hanging up.

This is not a first for Lalit so far as allegations of lifting songs go. His ex-partner Jatin and he had once composed Haan Haan Yeh Pyaar Hai for Dillagi, a ditty lifted from the classic Frankie Valli song, Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Dabangg's producer Arbaaz Khan, whose wife Malaika Arora plays the Munni in Munni Badnaam Hui, did not respond to calls. Messages left on his cell phone went unanswered.