Chand Sitaare: Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai (2000)
Composer Rajesh Roshan was keen on incorporating non-Bollywood music into Bollywood songs. He tried this in the opening melody of the famous beachside romance song. It was sung by Kumar Sanu in 1999 and is a copy of the music from composer Vangelis’s album Voices that was given an Indian flavour by the audience.
Tirchi Topi Wale: Tridev (1989)
The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You by Gloria Estefan, a famous English singer and actress, was plagiarized by Anand Ji and Kalyan Ji for Tirchi Topi Wale. Though the entire song was not used for the Bollywood piece, significant sections of the song were emphasized from the original song.
Neend Churayee Meri: Ishq (1997)
Linear’s debut single, Sending All My Love, was released in 1990 by the Freestyle/Pop song group Linear. It was their most significant hit, reaching number five. Anu Malik did not waste time in incorporating this composition into the song Neend Churayi Meri in 1997.
Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya: Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995)
The 1995 number Raja ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya was adapted from the acoustic version of the 1972 movie The Godfather. Anu Malik copied the instrumental version of Speak Softly, Love.
Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaye: Jurm (1990)
Kumar Sanu undoubtedly pulled off this song in the 1990s with his smooth voice, and it remains a devoted song to the cherished people to this day, but it is yet another imitation from a slow and calming English tune, Five Hundred Miles by Mary, Paul, and Peter in 1962. This was the American Folk Revival period, and this song, with repeated lyrics, reintroduced the core of American folk music.
Tumse Milke: Parinda (1989)
Another love scene from the 1989 film Parinda was inspired by the hit song When I Need You, written by Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager. Leo Sayer’s rendition of this song appeared on the album Endless Fight in 1977. It was appropriated for the song Tumse Milke.
Akele Hain To Kya Gum Hai: Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, a 1988 romance film starring Juhi Chawla and Amir Khan, established a name among the young for its beautiful romantic songs. This song, interestingly, is an altered version of Return to the Alamo, another beautiful instrumental by The Shadows released in 1977.
The iconic dance number from the movie Disco Dancer, once again sung by Usha Uthup, is a rip-off of The Buggles’ song Video Killed the Radio Star from their album English Garden. This song is believed to have been a major hit for this band in 1979, and it was later picked up by a Hindi-language film in 1982.
Hari Om Hari: Pyaara Dushman (1980)
Usha Uthup’s upbeat tune in 1980 drew the attention of the Indian public. However, the other image is its uniqueness, which can be seen in the famous Eruption band song, One Way Ticket, from 1978. Hari Om Hari is an identical replica of this band’s song, which quickly rose to the charts following its release.
Dil Deke Dekho: Dil Deke Dekho (1959)
In 1958, the McGuire Sisters’ version of “Sugartime” became a significant hit in the United States. It was composed initially by Odis Echols and Charlie Phillips, both English vocalists and songwriters. It became so successful that an adaptation of the song was released the following year as the title tune for the film Dil Deke Dekho.
Babuji Dheere Chalna: Aar-Paar (1954)
This Hindi song by Geeta Dutt from the 1954 film Aar-Paar is based on the Spanish song Quizas, which was later adapted into an English version. Desi Arnaz, a Cuban-born Hollywood singer and actor, first recorded the English version “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” in 1948.
