The team behind the upcoming film 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' has firmly rejected producer Vashu Bhagnani's allegations regarding the unauthorized use of the songs 'Chunnari Chunnari' and 'Ishq Sona Hai'. The film, directed by David Dhawan, is slated for release on June 5, and the makers have accused Bhagnani of orchestrating a smear campaign to disrupt its launch.
Dispute Over Song Rights
The controversy centers on songs originally featured in the 1999 film 'Biwi No. 1', which was produced by Bhagnani and directed by Dhawan. According to reports from ANI, producer Ramesh Taurani, along with Tips Films and the 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' team, issued an official statement addressing Bhagnani's claims. The statement, also covered by ABP Live, described the allegations as baseless and part of a personal vendetta.
The makers stated: “Recently, a series of baseless allegations have been made against us by Mr. Vashu Bhagnani. It is amply clear to us that this is a smear campaign driven by personal vendetta, intended to derail the release of our film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.”
Long-Standing Association Referenced
The statement highlighted the long-standing professional relationship between the parties, noting that Tips Films had previously collaborated with Bhagnani on the 1995 film 'Coolie No. 1'. The makers claimed they offered Bhagnani a 50 percent partnership and producer credit on that project, which became a major box office success and helped launch his career.
“Our association with Mr. Bhagnani dates back to 1995, when we generously offered him a 50 percent partnership and a producer credit on a project for which we had laid out all the ground work. Coolie No. 1 went on to become a massive box office hit and gave Mr. Bhagnani a kick-start in the industry,” the statement added.
Legal Maneuvers Questioned
The team questioned Bhagnani's legal strategy, noting that he chose to file a complaint in a Katihar court in Bihar, far from the film industry hub of Mumbai, rather than engaging in direct dialogue. The Indian Express had earlier reported that the dispute involved alleged unauthorized use of intellectual property from older films, including 'Biwi No. 1'.
The statement continued: “We are deeply disheartened and disappointed by Mr. Bhagnani’s conduct. We urge the public to not pay heed to such targeted negativity. We maintain that we are the absolute and lawful owners of the songs Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai.”
Supreme Court Relief Sought
NDTV reported that Tips Films had previously sought legal recourse, obtaining relief from the Supreme Court of India on May 22, 2026. Bhagnani's side has indicated plans to challenge that order. The makers emphasized that the matter is sub judice and stated that this would be their only public statement for now, expressing full faith in the legal system.
The dispute underscores the complexities of intellectual property rights in the Indian film industry, particularly when songs from older films are reused in new productions. As the release date approaches, both sides await further legal developments.
