Pritam bats for Blackpink’s Jennie amid plagiarism claims

Bollywood music composer Pritam, who has often been accused of being heavily inspired by other musicians while composing tracks, has come forward in support of Blackpink’s Jennie after accusations surfaced regarding her new song, Like Jennie.

Some listeners claimed that the track bore a striking resemblance to the theme music composed by Pritam for Alia Bhatt’s character, Rani, in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

Addressing these concerns, Pritam dismissed the claims, stating that minor similarities in music are common and do not necessarily indicate plagiarism.

The controversy arose after Jennie released a teaser for her song, with many social media users pointing out that its melody and rhythm were reminiscent of the score from Karan Johar’s film.

In response, Pritam clarified that such overlaps are often unintentional. "Rani and Jennie are names that rhyme, and a slight similarity in phrasing doesn’t mean one is copied from the other," he explained. He also claimed that shared elements in musical genres, rhyming patterns, or phrasing are natural occurrences in the industry.

Pritam also highlighted the evolving nature of music, emphasising that artists today are exposed to similar influences and platforms, making deliberate imitation unlikely.

“In a world where musicians are constantly drawing inspiration from diverse sources, it’s unfair to assume that every resemblance is intentional,” he said. Instead of fixating on minor similarities, he encouraged fans to appreciate the creative process behind a song.

He concluded by urging listeners to celebrate artistic expression rather than scrutinise every detail for potential copying.

“Music is meant to inspire and evolve, not be limited by comparisons. Wishing Jennie success with her new album,” he added.

Jennie’s solo track, Like Jennie, officially debuted on March 7.