Sachet-Parampara Challenge Amaal Mallik’s Claims About Bekhayali Song Origin, Seek Apology

Music composers Sachet and Parampara have firmly addressed recent allegations regarding the originality of their work on the blockbuster film “Kabir Singh,” emphasizing that their creative process was thoroughly transparent and collaborative.

In a detailed statement, the composer duo revealed that they developed the soundtrack in the presence of the film’s entire creative team, including director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and music supervisor Amaal Mallik. “Every melody, every composition, every arrangement, every lyric was done when the entire team was there, and it is purely a Sachet and Parampara original composition,” they stated, directly refuting any claims of plagiarism or uncredited influences.

The controversy emerges at a time when “Kabir Singh,” starring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani, has cemented its place as one of Bollywood’s most commercially successful films of recent years. The 2019 romantic drama’s soundtrack, featuring hits like “Bekhayali” and “Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage,” became a cultural phenomenon, dominating music charts for months after the film’s release.

Industry insiders note that music copyright disputes have become increasingly common in Bollywood as digital platforms make global music more accessible, raising questions about inspiration versus appropriation. The stakes are particularly high for film soundtracks, which can significantly impact a movie’s commercial success in the Indian market.

Sachet and Parampara, who rose to prominence after their work on “Kabir Singh,” have since become one of the industry’s most sought-after composer pairs. Their emphasis on having documented chats with Amaal Mallik and conducting composition sessions with the entire film team present suggests they anticipated potential scrutiny of their creative process.

Music analyst Rajiv Vijayakar points out that such transparency in the creative process is becoming essential in today’s music industry. “With social media making it easier than ever to compare songs and point out similarities, composers are increasingly documenting their creative processes to protect their intellectual property,” he explains.

The film, an adaptation of Telugu hit “Arjun Reddy,” relied heavily on its musical score to convey the emotional journey of its protagonist. The soundtrack’s success contributed significantly to the film grossing over ₹380 crore worldwide, despite mixed critical reception of its controversial themes.

T-Series, which owns the music rights to “Kabir Singh,” has not issued any official statement regarding the composers’ claims. However, industry observers note that the music label has a strong legal team that typically conducts thorough checks for potential copyright issues before releasing major soundtracks.

This situation reflects the broader challenges facing the music industry in the digital age, where the line between homage and copying has become increasingly blurred. Several high-profile international cases, such as the “Blurred Lines” lawsuit involving Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and Marvin Gaye’s estate, have made composers worldwide more cautious about documenting their creative processes.

For Bollywood, where music remains integral to a film’s identity and commercial prospects, such controversies can have far-reaching implications. Film music contributes approximately 20% of India’s music industry revenue, estimated at ₹1,500 crore annually.

As the industry continues to evolve with streaming platforms changing consumption patterns, transparency in creative collaborations may become standard practice rather than the exception. Sachet and Parampara’s approach of creating music with all stakeholders present could represent a new model for protecting artistic integrity in an increasingly complex landscape of musical influences and inspirations.