Bharati Dubey (MID-DAY; March 3, 2014)

Here is another fall out in the music world. It has emerged that composer Ram Sampath has walked out of Bhushan Kumar and Abhay Chopra’s co-production, Bhootnath Returns. A source close to the composer says, “Ram had a difficult time with the producers of the film due to their differing views on the music royalty issue. Now he has decided to not work on this film.” It may be pointed out here that at the trailer launch of the film, there was no mention of the film’s music composers. Bhushan Kumar clarifies that it was ‘just a trailer launch’. “Once the music goes on air next week, the composers’ names will be mentioned,” he says, adding that Ram Sampat was one of the three music directors working on the film.

Sources say that Ranbir Kapoor was supposed to feature in a song from the film but since Ram Sampat’s compositions were not well received, the actor only put in a guest appearance.

However, a source close to the unit says that the makers wanted Ranbir to do more than just appear in a song. Bhushan says, “We asked Ram to do a song with Yo Yo Honey Singh, but that didn’t happen. I was okay with this because Honey Singh anyway composes his own songs.”

On his part, Ram replied that they have parted ways amicably. “Let’s just say that I left the project due to creative disagreements. That’s all there is to it and I have nothing else to say,” he said.