The year 2022 started with our Indian neighbours copying Abrarul Haq’s ‘Nach Punjaban’ in Karan Johar’s movie JugJugg Jeeyo and sparking controversy. It is ending with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Pathaan being accused of stealing the tune for its signature track ‘Besharm Rang.’

Sajjad Ali raised the issue in a tweet this week, suggesting – without saying it at all – that ‘Besharam Rang’ is an adaptation of his famous ‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’ piece from 26 years ago.

However, Aaj News has found that the tune originated somewhere else, and Sajjad Ali – regardless of how much we love him – could be wrong.

The legendary Pakistani singer did not directly accuse ‘Besharm Rang’ musicians Vishal and Sheykhar of copying his music. “After listening to a new movie’s song, it reminded me of my song I released 26 years ago, Ab Ke Hum Bichare. Enjoy!!” this was all he said.

Now, if you listen to ‘Besharam Rang’ and go past the initial beats or lead-in, you will likely feel nostalgia if you are a Pakistani and over 35 years old.

As soon as the ‘Hamein To Loot Liya Milke Ishq Walo Ne’ line begins, there is a change in the music and you wonder if you have heard this song before.

Sajjad Ali skirted away from an open or even veiled reference to ‘Besharam Rang’, but his followers believe they knew what he meant. They were quick to name and shame Indian musicians.

However, the problem with ‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’ is a bit nuanced and you need to dive deep to understand why Sajjad Ali cannot openly accuse anyone of ‘theft’.

‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’ is a ghazal sung by several singers including legendary Noor Jahan and Mehdi Hassan.

Sajjad Ali was lucky to earn fame from the same ghazal by emulating his predecessors, but its tune comes closer to many other tunes.

You need fine ears to differentiate music pieces from one another when it comes to the golden era of the 1980s and 1990s.

Now, Besharm Rang may sound similar to ‘Ab Ke Hum Bichare’ tune but it sounds — no pun intended — closer to the song ‘Kisi Nazar Ko Tera Intezar Aaj Bhi Hai’ from the Bollywood movie Aitbaar.

The song was written by Hasan Kamaal and composed by Bappi Lahiri. Asha Bhosle and Bhupinder sang it for the 1985 movie.

Abrarul Haq’s case was different. His lyrics were original and were copied almost verbatim. So he was able to see his name on the credit rolls after arm-twisting his Indian fans.

Another Pakistani song copied by our Indian neighbours in 2022 was Hadiqa Kiani’s ‘Buhe Barian’. Singer Kanika Kapoor, who stole one of the most popular Pakistani songs, got away by claiming that she had only used the hook from ‘a folk song’.

Hadiqa, however, says that the song was written by her mother Khawar Kiani, who passed away in October 2022.