Days after reports of Jasleen Royal filing a lawsuit against label T-Series, lyricist Raj Ranjodh, and singer Guru Randhawa hit headlines, Randhawa says “it’s her right” to fight her case. “I usually write and compose my own songs. The song in question, however, was written by Raj [Ranjodh], who has previously written a lot of songs in the Punjabi language. [My team] removed the song from all the platforms on the day we learned that there is [a dispute]. I have not composed or written it; I am only the singer,” says Randhawa, adding that any dispute regarding the ownership of the number should have transpired between the lyricist and Royal.

The Heeriye singer, however, refutes that any exchange of ownership rights occurred. “Neither were the rights transferred nor was any paperwork executed. No money was even received [by me]. This is also why this whole episode is unsettling,” she tells mid-day, adding that she finds the “disregard for creative ownership” showcased in this incident disrespectful.

“I composed this song for Ajay Devgn Ffilms to serve as a promotional track for their film [Runway 34]. Raj provided the lyrics, and a scratch version was subsequently recorded with Guru. But, I wasn’t satisfied with how that version turned out, so the producers and I decided not to move forward with it for the film. To my shock, a year later, Guru and Raj decided to release the song through T-Series, without my permission. I don’t know how often this happens to others, but it’s deeply shocking that any artiste would take someone else’s work and think it’s okay to release it as their own. You don’t expect this from anyone, let alone someone of Guru’s stature.”

Randhawa, on his part, says he doesn’t intend to reap benefits from the song. “We will not take [any credit] or money for this song. [Fighting this case] is her right. I have never collaborated with her, but I like her music. I understand that this happens; when someone is popular, the blame falls on him.”

Mid-day reached out to the team behind T-Series, which didn’t respond till press time.

Composer-singer Jasleen Royal has accused singer Guru Randhawa and lyricist Raj Ranjodh of releasing her composition 'All Right' without her consent.

Jasleen, known for songs like Ranjha, Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Heeriye and Nachde Ne Saare and others, is upset that she wasn’t even credited or paid for her work.

Talking about how it all began, she explained, “Last year, I did all the songs for the film 'Runway 34', and later, I was also asked to do a promotional number for the film by the makers. I composed the track and commissioned Raj Ranjodh to write the lyrics. I had some singers in mind that I wanted for this song, but the producers suggested Guru Randhawa. So, I sent him the song and asked him to do a vocal dub on it. He did the dub, but creatively it didn’t work for me. I conveyed that to him and the producers of the film. It was a pleasant conversation. However, Guru was obsessed with the song, and he told me he really wanted to sing it. Eventually, I didn’t do the song because I was not happy with it.”

Jasleen adds, “In October, Raj reached out to me and asked if he could use my composition. I categorically refused. They can use their lyrics, but not my composition. There was no communication from either party after that, and then suddenly, on December 12, my song was released with Raj as lyricist, Guru as singer and both as composers. They didn’t bother to give me any credit or compensation for the song. So, my lawyer, Priyanka Khimani, sent them a notice and asked them to take down the song. But they didn’t respond to it, and till now, the song hasn’t been taken down.”

She added, “It takes a lot to create a song, and when you send your song to an artiste of Guru’s stature in good faith, you don’t think they would steal it! I am at a loss of words.”

We reached out to Guru and his team, but there was no response till the time of going to press.