What is brewing between Bollywood singers Neha Kakkar and Falguni Pathak over Navratri song 'O Sajna'

Fans of singers Neha Kakkar and Falguni Pathak are engaging in a war of words after the former released ‘O Sajna’, which has been called a remake of Pathak’s song ‘Maine Payal Hai Chhankai’. Kakkar faced social media backlash for the Navratri song released recently when fans of Pathak questioned her right to remake the iconic song from the 90s. Above: Neha Kakkar

53-year-old singer Pathak also weighed in on the debate against Kakkar, at first on social media and then in interviews. On being asked about reacting on social media, Pathak told Hindustan Times, “What else could have I done? I could not take legal action." She added, “I was overwhelmed to see so many people write on social media that they love my music, and they didn’t like this (Kakkar’s) version." Falguni alleged that she wasn't approached by the makers of 'O Sajna', Kakkar's version of the song. Above: Falguni Pathak

The legality of the remix was brought into question by one of Pathak’s supporters which is when the singer revealed that she did not own the rights to the song, and therefore, could not contest the remake in court. Pathak told HT, “I wish I was aware back then. Jab khud pe guzarti hai tab pata chalta hai. I regret that I didn’t know about it then, otherwise I would have definitely done something about it.”

Kakkar on her part reacted to the backlash through her Instagram stories. She wrote, ““For those who’re s unhappy seeing me happy and successful, I feel sorry for them. Bechaare… Plz keep commenting. I won’t even delete them. Coz I know and everybody knows what Neha Kakkar is! If talking in such a manner, saying such bad things about me, abusing me.. makes them feel good and if they think it will ruin my day. Then I’m sorry to inform them that I’m too blessed to have bad days. This God’s child is always happy coz God himself is keeping me happy."

Other celebrities also joined in on the ethical aspect of the remake. Singer Sona Mohapatra took to Twitter to urge decision makers in the Bollywood and music industry to take note of the controversy. She wrote, “I can only hope that the music labels & #Bollywood film producers killing the creative community & creators by commissioning short-cuts; remakes, remixes take note of the public backlash on the recent #FalguniPathak hit."

Interestingly the two singers seems to have made up. Pathak and Kakkar was spotted together on reality show ‘Indian Idol'.