Bollywood’s K-pop echoes: When melodies cross borders

In recent years, the global rise of K-pop has not only captured millions of fans but has also seeped into unexpected corners of the entertainment world—including Bollywood. While Indian cinema has long embraced musical experimentation, several Hindi film songs have come under scrutiny for bearing uncanny similarities to popular Korean tracks. From romantic ballads to peppy dance numbers, these resemblances have sparked debates about originality, inspiration, and cultural borrowing.

Notable Instances of Alleged K-pop Influence

Pehli Nazar Mein (Race, 2008)

This romantic chart-topper- sung by Atif Aslam and composed by Pritam- is frequently compared to “Sarang Hae Yo” by Kim Hyung Sup (Delightful Girl Chun-hyang, 2005). Fans noticed a striking melodic similarity.

Zaalima (Raees, 2017)

This emotional favourite, crooned by Arijit Singh and Harshdeep Kaur, has been linked to Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips” (2014)- with listeners pointing to pronounced melodic echoes.

Baatein Kuch Ankahee (Life in a... Metro, 2007)

Composed by Pritam and performed by KK, this song resembles “Ah reum da oon sa ram” from My Lovely Sam Soon (2005), especially in tone and structure.

Laaj Sharam (Veere Di Wedding, 2018)

This peppy track’s opening feels eerily close to GOT7’s “Girls, Girls, Girls” (2017), as many listeners have noted.

Dil Khol Do (2020)

A song featuring Benny Dayal that drew attention for its similarity to BTS’s energetic track “So What!” (2018). The resemblance was quickly flagged by the BTS fandom.

Sher Khul Gaye (Fighter, 2023)

Observers compared this track’s melody to BTS’s “Dynamite”. Social media mashups highlighted overlapping patterns in both tunes.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa (title track) (Bhool Bhulaiyaa, 2007)

The iconic opening notes are reminiscent of JTL’s “My Lecon” (2001), and some also suggest links to the Russian track “Ozero Slyoz” by Potap & Nastya.

Mantoiyat (2018)

Raftaar’s rap number drew sharp comparisons to BTS RM’s “Do You” (2015)- to the extent that Raftaar issued a public apology.

Pritam’s Record and Industry Recognition

Composer Pritam has frequently been at the center of allegations regarding melodic appropriation, including his involvement in several of the songs listed above. Indian site Rolling Stone India cites at least 52 instances between 2004 and 2010 where Pritam's work was labelled as “lifted” or “copied” from artists across East Asia, the Arab world, and beyond.

Bollywood's Complex Engagement With Global Music Trends

While melodies travel and cultures intermix- sometimes organically, sometimes contentiously- the examples above are well-documented and widely discussed by fans and critics. They reflect Bollywood’s complex engagement with global music trends, especially as K-pop’s influence intensifies across the world.