The cultural exchange between India and Pakistan is often celebrated through the shared appreciation of each other’s film and television. However, this relationship is frequently marred by accusations of creative plagiarism. The latest controversy involves the newly released Bollywood song “Danger,” which is facing severe backlash for allegedly being a blatant copy of the popular Pakistani drama OST “Laal Suit” from the series Mannat Murad.
The original song, “Laal Suit,” was released a year ago as a special wedding soundtrack for the drama. It featured celebrities Iqra Aziz, Talha Chahour, and Rabia Kulsoom, with Iqra Aziz adorned in a deep red anarkali suit. The new Bollywood production, “Danger,” features Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra in dance moves strikingly similar to the Pakistani original. The visual parallels are amplified by Janhvi Kapoor’s attire—a deep red silk saree that mirrors the aesthetic of the “Laal Suit” video.
The similarities extend beyond visuals to the core of the song itself. Critics and fans point out that “Danger” carries the same tune and lyrical concept. The line “Laal color ki saree mein tu danger lagti hai” is a direct conceptual match to the original Pakistani song, leading to accusations of copying the composition, lyrics, and overall creative idea without any attribution or credit.
The response from Pakistani fans has been one of intense anger and disappointment. Social media platforms are flooded with comments trolling the Indian media industry for its “cheap habit” of replication. Users have sarcastically renamed Bollywood as “Copy wood” and a “Chapa factory” (copy factory), questioning the originality of the industry. Comments like, “They can’t even make music and fly planes,” reflect the depth of frustration, highlighting a sentiment that such acts undermine the genuine artistic talent and original content produced within Pakistan. This incident has sparked a fresh debate on intellectual property rights and creative integrity in the South Asian entertainment industry.
