Music composer Pritam has hit back at fresh plagiarism allegations surrounding Cocktail 2’s romantic track Mashooqa, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon. The song, which has been generating buzz for its sizzling chemistry and scenic Sicily visuals, faced immediate backlash after netizens pointed out striking similarities with a 1993 Italian track titled “Se So Arrubate A Nonna” by Bibi & Coco.
Social media platforms, particularly Reddit and X, erupted with side-by-side comparisons shortly after the song’s release. Users accused Pritam of lifting the melody, with some dubbing him Copytam and referencing his history of similar controversies. While many praised the vibrant visuals, energetic vocals by Raghav Chaitanya, Ruaa Kayy, and Italian singer Mahmood, critics argued the core tune felt too familiar.
In response, Pritam took to Instagram Stories to address the claims directly. He dismissed the accusations as imaginary similarities, calling out self-appointed music detectives who emerge with every release. Every single of my song release comes with a set of self-appointed music detectives, who have created a new genre called ‘imaginary similarities’, he wrote. Pritam further labeled his critics his unpaid PR team, suggesting the buzz only helps promote the track.
The controversy has reignited broader debates about originality in Bollywood music. Defenders argue it could be inspiration, sampling, or coincidental melodic overlap common in global music. Others remain skeptical, citing Pritam’s past tracks that drew similar scrutiny.
Cocktail 2, directed by the Maddock Films team and starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna, is slated for a June 19 release. Despite the row, “Mashooqa” continues to trend, blending catchy beats with summer romance vibes.
As the film industry navigates global influences and digital scrutiny, such allegations highlight the thin line between inspiration and imitation. Pritam’s sharp rebuttal underscores his confidence in the track’s originality while turning potential negativity into additional spotlight. Whether Mashooqa stands on its own or echoes the past remains a topic of passionate online discussion.
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