Chura Liya Hai to Mehbooba: 7 Bollywood songs that were ‘inspired’ by others

Bollywood is notorious for copying music from existing songs by artists across the world and no, we are not just speaking of Pritam in specific.

By: Siddhant Pandey |
September 12, 2017 6:07 pm

Bollywood is wildly popular across the world. And if there is one thing it is best known for, it is for its upbeat songs with those peppy dance moves. While it gets annoying at times that Bollywood has stereotyped like that, but it is better to be peppy than sullen. But, did you know that all that fame is not really ours to keep?

Bollywood is notorious for getting ‘inspired’ by someone else’s music – and no, we are not just speaking of Pritam in specific. Over time, several music composers have “taken inspiration” from older songs from across the world. It kinda makes you wonder if humans are even capable of coming up with original things.

Anyway, here are 7 Bollywood songs that sound strikingly similar to music originally produced by artists from across the globe.

1. “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko”- Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)

RD Burman is remembered as Bollywood’s legendary music directors but as it turns out, he didn’t shy away from revamping existing western songs. The popular “Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko”, sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi, is actually inspired by Bojoura’s 1969 song called “If it’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium”. Seriously, just check it out for yourself:

2. “Babuji Dheere Chalna”- Aar Paar (1954)

Released back in 1954, Aar Paar‘s “Babuji Dheere Chalna” was inspired by Spanish song called “Quizás, quizás, quizás”. Originally produced by Cuban singer Osvaldo Farrés in 1947, “Quizás, quizás, quizás” was covered by many artists. It was even translated in English by the name “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps”, and here is one of the versions of the song:

3. “Mehbooba Mehbooba”- Sholay (1975)

Apparently, this popular song from the film Sholay is inspired by the super hit 1973 song “Ta Rialia” by Michalis Violaris, which has been sung in Cypriot Greek. Even Greek singer Demis Roussos came out with an English version named “Say You Love Me” around the same time as Sholay. Here’s the song:

4. “Laila O Laila”- Qurbani (1980)

No, that Sunny Leone version of the song from Raees was not the only duplicate. Turns out, the original was actually based on an African song “Chicano” by Black Blood in 1975.

5. “Teri Meri Prem Kahani”- Bodyguard (2011)

Featured in the 2011 movie Bodyguard, “Teri Meri Prem Kahani” sounds very similar to Cleopatra Stratan’s 2009 song “La Betleem colo-n jos”.

6. “Nazrein Mili Dil Dhadka”- Raja (1995)

As Indian as this song sounds with Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Kapoor dancing around in some broken-down building, it surprisingly did not come from the mind of an Indian. If you listen carefully, it sounds very much like Billy Vaughn’s 1962 song “Come September”.

7. “Akele Hai To Kya Gham Hai”- Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)

This song from Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak remains to be one of the most romantic songs of all time. It is widely believed to be adapted from The Shadows’ 1977 song called “Return To The Alamo”.

Hey Remo, can you also make a film called Anyone Can Make Music, please?

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