Showing posts with label Labh Janjua. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labh Janjua. Show all posts
Mundian To Bach Ke lyricist Charanjit Singh Maakar sues Baaghi 2 makers for copyright infringement
8:13 AM
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 15, 2018)
Writer-lyricist Charanjit Singh Maakar, known in Punjabi folk circles as
Channi Khannewala, collaborated with the late singer Labh Janjua on the
song “Mundian To Bach Ke Rahin” in 1996. It was released by the music
label MC Punjabi, and by 2002, it had become a worldwide sensation as
British-Punjabi singer Rajinder Singh Rai’s bhangra remix for the same
label. That’s when Channi and Labh decided to safeguard their rights and notarized the track on October 23, 2002, whereby it could not be
reused, recreated, filmed or composed in any other language without
their written permission.
“So imagine my shock when I was home in Punjab and saw a Hindi version of our song, 'Mundiyan', playing on TV. The words of the first two lines and the last stanza had been changed but it was still our song,” Channi said about the new version that features in the Tiger Shroff-starrer Baaghi 2, adding that he contacted several people associated with the film, including producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who refused to entertain him. Ten days of unattended calls later, Channi sent notices to Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, director Ahmed Khan, music label T-Series, lyricist Ginni Diwan, music director Sandeep Shirodkar, singers Navraj Hans and Palak Muchhal and Tiger.
“The noticees deliberately deprived me of my royalty. It is not only cheating, but also disrespecting a legend like Labh,” Channi said angrily. He has also reached out to the Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd., which has been paying him royalties for every time his song is used, for 16 years now, and the Central Board of Film Certification chief Prasoon Joshi.
Channi’s lawyer Ashu Latawa, has also filed a suit alleging plagiarism against the Baaghi 2 makers for altering the lyrics. Channi has demanded damages amounting to Rs 5 crore for Indian and international territories and that the song be immediately removed from audio-video promotions of the film. “Our next step will be seeking criminal and civil action since we have all appropriate documentation to obtain injunction and compliance orders,” he told Mirror.
In 2003, Kaizad Gustad’s Ayesha Shroff production, Boom, had featured a similar remix. “Labh and I had challenged the makers in court. They had to finally drop the song from their film,” Channi recalled, adding that when American rapper and music mogul Jay Z had wanted to use the track in an album, he’d sought their permission and they continue to receive royalties even today.
Actor-filmmaker Sandeep Kalhotra, who was Labh Janjua’s friend and neighbour in Mumbai, recalled, “I was in the city when Labh ji passed away in his sleep. I’d reached out to many singers and composers he had worked with, as well as two superstars, who didn’t even show up at his funeral. The Mumbai police helped us with the arrangements for the post-mortem, while I made sure his wife, Daljeet Kaur, and son, Kulvinder, who was only eight at the time, reached the city in time.”
While they fight the case, Kalhotra and Channi are also putting together a tribute to Labh’s musical journey featuring hits like “Bair Bura Hunda Jatt da”, and “Soni De Nakhre” (from Salman Khan and Govinda’s Partner). “The proceeds will be given to Daljeet, who had to resort to sewing clothes to put their son through school,” Kalhotra informed, promising that the duo will see the fight against the Baaghi 2 makers till the end.
When Mirror contacted the film’s team, a spokesperson said, “T-Series has acquired all the required rights to the song from Sony Music.”
Sony Music was also the music label behind Boom.
Writer-lyricist Charanjit Singh Maakar, known in Punjabi folk circles as
Channi Khannewala, collaborated with the late singer Labh Janjua on the
song “Mundian To Bach Ke Rahin” in 1996. It was released by the music
label MC Punjabi, and by 2002, it had become a worldwide sensation as
British-Punjabi singer Rajinder Singh Rai’s bhangra remix for the same
label. That’s when Channi and Labh decided to safeguard their rights and notarized the track on October 23, 2002, whereby it could not be
reused, recreated, filmed or composed in any other language without
their written permission.“So imagine my shock when I was home in Punjab and saw a Hindi version of our song, 'Mundiyan', playing on TV. The words of the first two lines and the last stanza had been changed but it was still our song,” Channi said about the new version that features in the Tiger Shroff-starrer Baaghi 2, adding that he contacted several people associated with the film, including producer Sajid Nadiadwala, who refused to entertain him. Ten days of unattended calls later, Channi sent notices to Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, director Ahmed Khan, music label T-Series, lyricist Ginni Diwan, music director Sandeep Shirodkar, singers Navraj Hans and Palak Muchhal and Tiger.
“The noticees deliberately deprived me of my royalty. It is not only cheating, but also disrespecting a legend like Labh,” Channi said angrily. He has also reached out to the Indian Performing Rights Society Ltd., which has been paying him royalties for every time his song is used, for 16 years now, and the Central Board of Film Certification chief Prasoon Joshi.
Channi’s lawyer Ashu Latawa, has also filed a suit alleging plagiarism against the Baaghi 2 makers for altering the lyrics. Channi has demanded damages amounting to Rs 5 crore for Indian and international territories and that the song be immediately removed from audio-video promotions of the film. “Our next step will be seeking criminal and civil action since we have all appropriate documentation to obtain injunction and compliance orders,” he told Mirror.
In 2003, Kaizad Gustad’s Ayesha Shroff production, Boom, had featured a similar remix. “Labh and I had challenged the makers in court. They had to finally drop the song from their film,” Channi recalled, adding that when American rapper and music mogul Jay Z had wanted to use the track in an album, he’d sought their permission and they continue to receive royalties even today.
Actor-filmmaker Sandeep Kalhotra, who was Labh Janjua’s friend and neighbour in Mumbai, recalled, “I was in the city when Labh ji passed away in his sleep. I’d reached out to many singers and composers he had worked with, as well as two superstars, who didn’t even show up at his funeral. The Mumbai police helped us with the arrangements for the post-mortem, while I made sure his wife, Daljeet Kaur, and son, Kulvinder, who was only eight at the time, reached the city in time.”
While they fight the case, Kalhotra and Channi are also putting together a tribute to Labh’s musical journey featuring hits like “Bair Bura Hunda Jatt da”, and “Soni De Nakhre” (from Salman Khan and Govinda’s Partner). “The proceeds will be given to Daljeet, who had to resort to sewing clothes to put their son through school,” Kalhotra informed, promising that the duo will see the fight against the Baaghi 2 makers till the end.
When Mirror contacted the film’s team, a spokesperson said, “T-Series has acquired all the required rights to the song from Sony Music.”
Sony Music was also the music label behind Boom.
London Thumakda singer Labh Janjua’s voice will be heard for final time in RunningShaadi.com
5:22 AM
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; January 11, 2017)
Punjabi music sensation Labh Janjua’s sudden demise in October 2015 came as a shock. The singer delivered chartbusters like Jee Karda (Singh Is Kinng; 2008), Dance Pe Chance (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi; 2008), Soni De Nakhre (Partner; 2007) and London Thumakda (Queen; 2014). But now, Labh’s admirers will get to listen to his voice for the last time in a new Bollywood song.
Hitlist has learnt that he recorded an uptempo number, Dimpi De Naal Bhaage Bunty, for Shoojit Sircar’s upcoming production, RunningShaadi.com, before his untimely death. The track, which has a blend of Punjabi and Hindi lyrics, has been composed by Abhishek-Akshay.
The makers are elated that Labh’s vibrant voice will feature in the movie’s soundtrack. RunningShaadi.
com director Amit Roy says, “The experience of working on this track with Labhji was surreal. Before leaving the studio, his last words to me were, ‘Yeh song bahut bada hit hoyega (This song will be a huge hit).’ He was an amazing soul, a pure and exceptional singer. He sang the song effortlessly. He took it to a different level altogether. I feel he is blessing us from somewhere up.”
No one from the industry came forward to help Labh Janjua's wife-Neighbour
8:01 AM
Gagandeep Dhillon (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2015)
Singer Labh Janjua, 55, known for hit songs like “London Thumakda“ from Queen and “Jee Karda“ from Singh is King, was found dead at his flat in Goregaon, during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. He is suspected to have died of a heart attack, although the exact cause of his death is yet to be ascertained, the police informed.
Janjua, who shuttled between his home in Punjab and Mumbai for work, had arrived in the city two days ago and was found dead when his maid showed up in the morning.
As news of his demise spread, the music and film industry rushed to offer condolences on social media. However, it was a different sight at the hospital where he was brought, as only a handful of his friends turned up, while his wife arrived from Punjab in the evening.
“He lived alone in a flat in Dheeraj Residency, Goregaon (West), and spent a few days every month here for recording his songs. On Wednesday, he complained of stomach ache and acidity, and his friend Rishi Raj took him to a private hospital following which he was fine,“ said Gautam Sharma, one of Janjua's friends. On Wednesday evening, Raj dropped Janjua home and later received a call from him at 9.20 pm, saying he was fine. He also spoke to his wife over the phone at night. In the morning, when his maid went to his place, he did not open the door. “Since it was Dussehra, he had asked me to come as per my convenience. I went there at 9 am and rang the bell multiple times, but there was no response. Worried, I informed the neighbours and the police,“ the maid said. The police opened the door using a duplicate key obtained from the landlord and found Janjua lying motionless on his bed. He was rushed to the nearby Siddharth Municipal Hospital, where doctors declared him dead-on-arrival.
A police officer from Bangur Nagar police station told Mirror that they have almost ruled out any foul play into the incident. “He had a history of medical conditions. There were no external injuries. His body was handed over to his wife following an autopsy,“ said the officer.
Janjua is survived by his wife, father and an eight-year-old son. His last rites will be conducted in Khanna town in Punjab's Ludhiana district on Friday. “It was unfortunate that initially, no one came forward to help his wife. When I went to his house in the morning, the police asked me to call his family and friends to complete legal formalities. While people instantly started tweeting about the tragedy, nobody answered my calls and nobody from the industry turned up. Even by 4 pm, only two of us were present at the hospital while a few of Janjua Sir's friends joined later,“ said Sandeep Singh, a neighbour of the deceased.
Janjua's long-time friend and music producer Rishi Raj said, “When I met him yesterday, he was in pain but after spending a few hours at the hospital, he seemed to be fine. He said that every person has to leave this world whenever the Almighty desires so. Those were his last words to me.“
Labh was scheduled to perform at a concert in Varanasi next week.
London Thumakda singer Labh Janjua found dead in Mumbai residence
4:25 PM
Punjabi singer Labh Janjua, 57, was reportedly found dead at his residence in Goregaon, Mumbai today morning. The singer is best known for songs in films like Queen and Singh is Bliing. Mr Janjua is originally from the Khanna, in Ludhiana district of Punjab. He learned music from a well-known local teacher, late Jaswant Bhanwra, in the same city.
Mr Janjua shot to fame with 1999 Punjabi folk song Mundian To Bach Ke, which was produced by Punjabi MC. The song was later used in 2003 film Boom. But he had to wait till 2005 for his big break in Bollywood. Chori Chori song from the film Garam Masala became his ticket to Bollywood.
One of 2006's top songs Pyaar Karke from Pyaar Ke Side Effects was also sung by Mr Janjua.
In 2007, he sang Soni De Nakhre from Partner, which was picturized on Salman Khan, Govinda and Katrina Kaif. He also gave vocals for O Yara Dhol Bajake from the film Dhol.
Next set the party mood for many with songs like Jee Karda and Talli Hua in Singh Is Kinng and Dance pe Chance (duet with Sunidhi Chauhan) in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.
In Anurag Kashyap's 2009 film Dev. D, Emotional Attyachar overshadowed other songs from the film, Mahi Mennu and Hikknaal sung by Mr Janjua were also music lover's favourites.
His latest songs include Dil Kare Chu Che from Singh Is Bliing, London Thumakada in Queen and Farukha Baadi in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana.
Apart from Bollywood numbers, Mr Janjua's solo albums include Raatan Toon Lambe Khat, Bewafa, Beyond Belief, Bair Bura Hunda Jatt Da, Labh Janjua - The King, Beware Of The Boys and Labh Janjua Live.
Mr Janjua's body was discovered in a suspicious condition by his domestic help and taken to Cooper Hospital for post mortem. Police are investigating the reasons for the death.
NDTV
Punjab mein struggle thi, Mumbai mein balle balle-London Thumakda singer Labh Janjua
7:44 AM
Riding high on the success of London Thumakda from Queen, Labh Janjua gets vocal about Amit Trivedi, singing hit songs for Katrina Kaif and why filmmakers should spend more money on promoting songs
Garima Sharma (BOMBAY TIMES; April 25, 2014)
Way back in the 80s, Labh Janjua was a popular singer in Punjab. Luck, a series of unfruitful collaborations and a phone call from Jackie Shroff brought him to Mumbai nine years ago, from where he started his Bollywood journey. Since then, he has lent his voice to 136 Hindi and Punjabi songs in films here, which include numbers like Mundian Toh Bach Ke Rahin, Jee Karda, Talli Hua from Singh Is Kinng and the recent London Thumakda. We chat with him about the high and low notes of his life.
How did you get into singing?
I come from a Jaat family from Punjab. My grandfather used to do kirtans and I would sit by him whenever I got a chance. That’s how my association with music began. I won many prizes in school and college but my father didn’t like it. He told me once, ‘Ya toh kheti baadi karo, ya naukri.’ When I didn’t pay heed to this, he gave me an ultimatum, ‘Ya toh ghar chhod do, ya gaana’. So, I left home and went to Ludhiana for music. There I trained with music director Shri Jaswant Bhamra for three years and released my cassette. I became a star in Punjab and came out with 15-20 more cassettes. I started going abroad for concerts.
How did you get a break in Bollywood?
My song Mundian Toh Bach Ke Rahin was quite popular by this time. Punjabi MC came from England and recorded it with me. After three years, they called and said that we are releasing it and giving you 1 lakh for it. I was quite happy as they were giving me the money, even after three years. Little did I know about their intentions. They made me sign an agreement, according to which I had relinquished all my claims to the song and they earned arbon rupay ki royalty from it. Sab kha gaye woh. Some time later, this song came in Jackie Shroff’s film Boom. I saw it on TV with Punjabi MC’s credit, so I contacted Jackie Shroff’s office. He returned my call and spoke to me at length. Once I disconnected the call, I broke into bhangra as he had called me! He asked me to come to Mumbai and meet him. That’s when I decided to shift to Mumbai.
And you started getting work immediately?
People who had been looking for me earlier had gone to sleep, so I had to struggle for six months to wake them up. After that, work just started coming. Mumbai has given me so much. I have sung Farukha Baadi in Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana, Baari Barsi in Band Baaja Baaraat, Dance Pe Chance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Pyaar Karke in Pyaar Ke Side/Effects and so many others. I’m very lucky for the songs I sing. Punjab mein struggle thi, Mumbai mein balle balle. That is the truth. Amit Trivedi is my friend and gives me different kind of music. He is also one of those people who don’t make several artistes sing one song and then picks the one he likes from it. He takes a singer after deliberation and goes ahead with him. It’s very nice working with him always.
Are Punjabi singers in vogue these days?
Punjabi singers have always been popular. Many come and many go, it all depends on the requirement of your music directors. The only thing is that money is now being spent on some singers and they are making appearances in movies and video too. My only grouse is that makers spend so much money on films, but not as much on promoting songs. They must play these songs on TV. How will Labh Janjua be lucky if you keep his songs at home and not play those on TV?
You too plan to come in front of the camera?
I do, in Punjabi films. I’m doing a film called London Di Heer and one called Kudi 420. I’m also playing a villain’s role in Bubby Beniwal’s next. There’s one called Tera Band Bajega Pakka. I like acting and my friends always encourage me, like Mukesh Rishi, Shaam Malkar and Rishi Raj. Plus, I’m blessed by Shri Ganesh, Bholenath, Ma Parvati and Sai Nath, so I get success in whatever I do.
Any collaborations in the future?
Never. I’ve done many with musicians from England and Canada, but I have always been cheated. Collaboration ka koi faayda nahi hai.
What is your take on double meaning lyrics, like some bits of London Thumakda?
Jo part maine gaaya hai, usmein koi double meaning nahi hai. I do feel bad since the traditional folk song, which was adapted in bits, had a very different meaning. I personally feel that folk songs shouldn’t be used like this, but I guess the audience likes it.
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