EMI Pakistan sends legal notice, bars use of 'Bhar Do Jholi' in Bajrangi Bhaijaan

E-Paper | March 10, 2026

While many were talking about Adnan Sami Khan's comeback in Bajrangi Bhaijaan in the not-so-liked rendition of 'Bhar Do Jholi', it turned out that the singer, filmmakers, distributors as well as music distributors had never acquired the rights to use the popular qawali.

The qawali's copyright holders, EMI Pakistan, has issued a legal notice that bars the film from using the song without the fulfillment of legal formalities. 'Bhar Do Jholi' is the kalaam of Purnam Allahabadi and was first sung by the late Sabri Brothers, Haji Ghulam Fareed Sabri and Haji Maqbool Sabri.

The notice dated July 9 2015 is addressed to Kabir Khan, Salman Khan, Adnan Sami Khan, T-Series and Media Concepts (T-Series' representative in Pakistan). It talks about the popularity of qawali and accepts the practice of their reworking by various artists as long as 'original copyrights get the rightful remunerations for their creations':

An excerpt of the legal notice issued by EMI Pakistan — Courtesy: EMI

A three-day deadline has been given to the filmmakers to fulfill legal formalities, before which the fate of the song hangs in the balance.

The producers' oversight has put a damper on the excitement surrounding the prominence of Pakistani artistes on the Bajrangi Bhaijaan soundtrack. The film, which deals with the sensitive issue of Pakistan-India border tensions, features not only Adnan Sami Khan, but also Atif Aslam who's lent his vocals to the ballad 'Tu Chahiye'. Both singers were specifically asked to contribute to the film's music by the producer/actor Salman Khan.

Pakistan

Law minister stresses need for caution when discussing Pakistan’s foreign policy amid tensions in Middle East

Pakistan to implement four-day work week under ‘war austerity plan’

PPP slams govt in NA over increase in petroleum prices

kalyan

Jul 10, 2015 02:14pm

It is stupid of Salman khan &co to not acquire rights for the song, given that the entire song is inspired by the original.

Recommend 0

Taimoor Khan

Jul 10, 2015 02:16pm

Heard this film is anti-Pakistan. Why our artists are contributing to Indian films which creates a negative perception of Pakistan? There should be proper checks and balances by GOP to ensure these things dont happen in future.

Recommend 0

S. A. M.

Jul 10, 2015 02:24pm

rights should have acquired through the proper channel

Recommend 0

VLP

Jul 10, 2015 02:30pm

Good move.... Copyrights must be respected

Recommend 0

Haroon Rashid

Jul 10, 2015 02:30pm

The kings of cheating and copying

Recommend 0

Nilesh

Jul 10, 2015 02:41pm

@Taimoor Khan I'm sure my friend this film won't be anti Pakistan. Long back we have stopped preaching hate to our kids. My kids know Pakistan as neighbouring country, nothing more.

Recommend 0

gilgit baltistani

Jul 10, 2015 02:50pm

@Nilesh I wish that was true brother. Unfortunately, Indian films in the recent past still contain anti Pakistan elements, hidden as jokes which might be jokes for most indians but not for any Pakistani.

Recommend 0

I'M ALWAYS RIGHT

Jul 10, 2015 02:57pm

@Nilesh While I appreciate the way you have raised your kids, trust me it so very common to run into Indians who spew so much hate at us, so please don't tell me that Indians as a whole have stopped. There are Pakistani people who hate too but are far less compared to Indians.

Recommend 0

iamauk

Jul 10, 2015 03:06pm

If they had just asked the authorities they would not have face this today.

Recommend 0

shabbzz

Jul 10, 2015 03:16pm

@Nilesh I wish we have more parents like you in India and also in Pakistan. My last trip to India in Dec 2014 - Jan 2015 was a completely 'opposite' experience. The 'hatred' for Pakistan I witnessed by 'common' people like you in me in India is 'indescribable' and very 'disappointing' ... With parents like you I 'hope' we will be able to develop 'tolerating' new generation on both sides !!!

Recommend 0

Adil Jadoon

Jul 10, 2015 03:19pm

How does EMI hold the right to the Lyrics????

Recommend 0

razi

Jul 10, 2015 04:11pm

In a digital world, the concept of copyright is outdated and must be abolished. It is a tribute to the original creation when it is copied and that should be the only compensation.

Recommend 0

PANKAJ

Jul 10, 2015 04:49pm

Amid the brick and bat between both countries. There is humanity hidden somwhere in everybodys heart. I bet if i ever come to Pakistan and you come to know I am from India. I am 100% sure you will treat me like a special guest. And same feelings I will have for you..I would like to do with the best capacity . I dont understand why our daggers are drawn when we are on internet

Recommend 0

Aurangzeb

Jul 10, 2015 05:26pm

Is this film is anti-Pakistan !

Recommend 0

Pakistani

Jul 10, 2015 05:49pm

The legal issues should be resolved. From the movie ad it looks like a good film to promote Pak-India relations.

Recommend 0

Ajay Parghi

Jul 10, 2015 06:00pm

@PANKAJ I visited Pakistan as a citizen of usa of indian origin and was treated with great hospitality and an extra measure of warmth when pakistanis discovered I was from india.No anti Indian hostility at all!

Recommend 0

Farooqui

Jul 10, 2015 06:39pm

Adnan Sami, to my knowldge, has applied for the Indian citizenship at least twice and has been rejected. So much for "prominence of Pakistani artistes".

Recommend 0

hmmm

Jul 10, 2015 06:57pm

good job finally someone took the step to teach Indians the lesson for copying stuff...im glad it was taken

Recommend 0

hmmm

Jul 10, 2015 06:58pm

@Nilesh lol really who are you trying to fool?

Recommend 0

Nikiryder

Jul 10, 2015 07:10pm

@ I'M ALWAYS RIGHT yes obviously the number of anti India pakistanis would be less you even know the difference between the population of the 2 countries ? its close to a billion.

Recommend 0

Nikiryder

Jul 10, 2015 07:14pm

Good and bad people are everywhere not only in India and Pakistan in entire world so we should never judge the opinions of entire populations of nations based on our singular experiences. We still share a lot of things between us Movies, TV serials, and Music of great legends Ustaad Nusrat fateh ali khan saahab. Im a Huge Fan myself!

Recommend 0

Tahir Khan

Jul 10, 2015 09:04pm

If Pakistan actually has a will and power to enforce the copyright, a lot of other indian 'musicians' will be in trouble.

Recommend 0

canpakman

Jul 10, 2015 10:06pm

I was watching an interview of a pak song writer and I think he said somewhere around 200 or 400 pak song were used in Indian movies without any permission. Munni badnam Hui is an example, it was stolen from Omar Sharif's movie from 90s. Another song in mahesh that not sure he got permission, was " too joo nahi hai tou kuch bhi nahi hai"

Recommend 0

Jul 11, 2015 12:52am

@shabbzz Unfortunately it is not merely limited to "'common' people like you in me in India " rather this virus has infected vast majority of Indians aboard too. Just read there comment sin New York Times, Washington Post, ........ etc, They need just enough of any thing that can be twisted to and directed towards spewing hate and foul language towards Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Jul 11, 2015 12:57am

@Nikiryder "Good and bad people are everywhere " very right. but we need to see how a majority/big number of people behave as a group. and that makes their character. there Indians put cobras to a shame. I am just sorry for the good intentioned ones.

Recommend 0

Jul 11, 2015 02:02am

@Taimoor Khan : Oh stop it. Indian movies are great and people in Pakistan love them. Banning or censoring movies is just plain wrong. If someone in Pakistan thinks that it is Indian propaganda then the answer is to produce better movies in Pakistan -Compete

Recommend 0

Ashraf

Jul 11, 2015 02:13am

@Nilesh I think you don't watch Indian movies. May be at home you don't teach hatred and I respect that but Indian movies are known for their anti-Pakistan stances.

Recommend 0

Shahryar Shirazi

Jul 11, 2015 02:21am

I saw the trailer, and looking forward to it. I don't watch anti Pakistan movies, but this doesn't look like one. Furthermore, EMI should let them use the song. Every one knows who the real owner is. Producers on the other hand should write a note of credit in the beginning or the end of the movie. Problem solved :)

Recommend 0

Jul 11, 2015 06:09am

@shabbzz, we all know how much India & Pakistan LOVE each other but if you would have said during your India visit that you from Pakistan than I don't think you would have faced any hate. Many people talk not so good things behind your back. I have met many Pakistani and some of my close friends are Pakistanis, when I visit India lots of my friends are curious to know how Pakistani people are as most of the Indians never met a Pakistani and always my reaction is Indian and Pakistani has so much in common.

Recommend 0

Insanely Atheist

Jul 11, 2015 07:49am

@Shahryar Shirazi If you see the album the producers have termed the song as "traditional". Traditional songs don't come under the purview of copyright but EMI is saying that it is not a traditional song rather its their song hence this legal notice. Anyways this legal notice can only prevent the film in Pakistan,outside it has null value.

Recommend 0

Dipak Singh

Jul 11, 2015 09:49am

Watch Bahubali instead of Bajrangi Bhaijan if you want Entertainment.

Recommend 0

samrendra singh

Jul 11, 2015 11:52am

@gilgit baltistanstani-- see few film will always be made where one or other countries is portrayed in negative manner, it happes all over world. PAKISTAN BIGGEST

Recommend 0

Dawar

Jul 11, 2015 11:56am

It is very good step by EMI Pakistan.

Recommend 0