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Dua Lipa’s Stunning Viral Mashup of Shah Rukh Khan’s Iconic 1999 Song Sparks Anu Malik’s Demand for Proper Credit

Aastha Tyagi2 years ago2 years ago1767 mins

The recent tussle over Dua Lipa’s performance in Mumbai has opened intellectual property as well as the appreciation of music industry for interesting debate. Dua surprised her audience with creating a mash-up on the live performance of her virally hit Levitating to the famous track Woh Ladki Jo from 1999 film Baadshah where Shah Rukh Khan himself acted. While it is hailed as Indian music is now accepted the world over, the performances did raise a question about giving rightful credit to the creators involved.

Anu Malik Rebuttal

Anu Malik, who has composed the songs of *Woh Ladki Jo*, was mixed on the mashup. Talking to News18, he appreciated the art of Dua Lipa and went on to say that the whole world impact while listening to his music and reaching so deep into the hearts of listeners was welcome. On the other hand, he talked about apprehensions about how the rights and recognition will be associated with the performance.

He commented on the fact that proper crediting to the original minds is a must and “we can only ask them for proper credit. Aaj kal toh hum sirf haath jodke request karte hain.” He accepted his acts of fusing and how Indian music has been well taken but claimed that these industry contributors like him, and singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya do deserve proper crediting.

Jay Bhattacharya, Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s son, shared his take: “I think people remember him only because of Woh Ladki Jo. He does not get the credit because Shah Rukh Khan is the face of that song. But the playback singer and composer are the backbone of that song.” Jay felt frustrated that media houses did not give credit to playback singers regularly in Bollywood.

A Larger Concern of Recognition

Anu Malik and Jay Bhattacharya’s comments are part of a larger concern in the entertainment industry, that is, the struggle to give proper recognition to behind-the-scenes contributors when their work crosses borders. He points out that although he likes to believe that this is a big honor of his songs being heard by the people of other countries, the word “unlikely collaboration” trivializes the years of hard work that he and many of his fellow musicians have put into music.

He also remembered other examples of work done by him internationally acclaimed such as Chamma Chamma in the movie Moulin Rouge and tracks of the movies Monsoon Wedding and Bride & Prejudice.
This is because the success of the mashup reflects the universality of music and the power to bridge cultures. It, however serves as a reminder that there’s a need to honor creators who make these moments possible. Whether it’s in proper crediting or in royalties, the original artists must be made to see their due share in developing a fair and respectful creative ecosystem.

The rave reviews regarding Dua Lipa’s performance will also thrust to the limelight the major discourse about intellectual property, rights, and collaboration in the world industry.

Dua Lipa’s Role and Fan Reactions

Meanwhile, Dua Lipa’s performance has been appreciated for its creativity and for bringing Bollywood music to her global audience. While some fans loved the mashup as a beautiful representation of cultural exchange, others echoed Malik’s sentiments on giving credit to the original creators.

Credit: Youtube

The debate is ongoing, with fans and creators alike reflecting on the importance of collaboration and credit in an increasingly interconnected world.

Dua Lipa’s performance, which began as a celebratory moment of cross-cultural appreciation, has drawn attention to the need for proper acknowledgment of original creators. Whether it is in terms of royalties, mentions, or official permissions, giving credit to the hard work of artists like Anu Malik and Abhijeet Bhattacharya is crucial in fostering a fair and respectful music ecosystem.

As Malik succinctly puts it, “Respect should be given where it’s deserved.” And while the world enjoys this unique musical blend, the conversation about credit and collaboration continues to resonate just as loudly.
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