Did Blackpink star Jennie plagiarise Alia Bhatt's intro song in Bollywood hit?

What happens when you listen to a song teaser by a famous artist and it sounds vaguely familiar? Chances are you keep racking your brain to find a musical match!

K-pop sensation Jennie is at the centre of a social media debate over the recently dropped teaser for her new track Like Jennie, which some claim sounds like Rani’s Intro Theme from Bollywood film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

Rani’s Intro Theme, created by Indian composer Pritam, introduces actress Alia Bhatt’s character Rani in the 2023 film.

Like Jennie is the second track from Jennie’s debut solo album Ruby, slated to release on March 7.

Fans have commented on the similarities between the Bollywood track and the Like Jennie teaser, with one writing on X, “Girl Jennie’s new song reminds me of Rani (aliaa bhatt) Entrance song from Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani!!! Like do my desi/Indian peeps get it??? #JENNIE #RARKPK #aliaabhatt

However, many did not see any resemblance.

“Like Jennie’s song sound heavier than “rani’s intro”, instruments are different too, also it’s just flow how they says the names and that’s not enough to call it plagiarism,” wrote another X user.

Pritam himself has faced allegations of plagiarism in the past. One of his most popular tracks, Pehli Nazar Mein, was alleged to have been lifted from a Korean song.

Track sampling, subject to certain legal rules and permissions, is not uncommon in the music industry. However, controversies and conflicts sometimes tend to arise, which often lead to lawsuits. A famous example from two years ago: British musician Ed Sheeran was cleared in court of allegations of copying elements of Motown legend Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On for his popular track Thinking Out Loud.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Do Like Jennie and Rani’s Intro Theme sound similar?