Rajiv Rai, who has directed hit films like Tridev, Mohra, Gupt, and Vishwatma before migrating out of India after an underworld threat in 1997, is in the news for a very special reason. A hit RD Burman song — Keh Doon Tumhein Ya Chup Rahun — from his father, producer Gulshan Rai’s, Deewaar was “recreated” or re-mixed if you will, without the proper permission of the producer, which in this case is Gulshan Rai’s son Rajiv.
Long due
The courts have ruled in Rajiv’s favour and the song had to be removed from Ajay Devgn-starrer Baadshaho. Speaking from London, where Rajiv is currently based, he said, “This victory was long due. It was due for the often-abused ilk in Mumbai’s entertainment world known as producers.”
Rajiv says he grew up respecting the hard job producers have to undertake. “My father was an immensely respected figure in the film fraternity. His films like Johnny Mera Naam, Vidhaata, Deewaar and Yudh redefined the equation between producers and the entertainment industry. I am afraid the kind of respect that my father commanded has gradually waned. Producers as a fraternity are taken for granted and exploited.”
Rajiv says he grew up admiring the producer’s job. “Because of my father, I was surrounded by producers. Their job in the making of a film filled me with admiration. This is why I decided to tackle the copyright infringement of my father’s song. I’ve seen how other producers had to struggle to hold together a film under situations of great stress. Even when I was directing films for my banner, I looked towards my father for guidance and advice. So, this victory is for him.”
It’s happened before
Rajiv adds this is not the first time in recent times when songs belonging to his father’s banner, Trimurti Films, were infringed upon. “There have been several occasions when songs belonging to our banner have made unscheduled appearances in recent films, like Azhar and Machine. In fact, while ripping off my Tu Cheez Bahi Hai Mast Mast in Machine, the film’s team said they had taken the blessings of Akshay Kumar (the leading man in Mohra). The copyrights of the song are with us. How did it help to seek Akshay’s divine intervention?” Rajiv asks.
The expatriate feels turning a blind eye to copyright infringement is wrong. “In London, I would get congratulatory messages from Mumbai for remixed versions of songs from my father’s banner. ‘You must’ve got a lot of money,’ they asked. Well, here’s the truth: I got nothing out of these songs that were used. This time, I had to fight it out.”
Adding insult to injury
He says he has no problems with Bhushan Kumar. “They’ve been very nice. But the way they have brought in the song Keh Doon Tumhein is wrong.” Adding insult to injury is the quality of the remix. Exclaims Rajeev, “They’ve ruined the original song. Even if they had not, copyright infringement is a serious offence. For years, self-styled religious leaders have gotten away with it because of our feeble laws. I am glad the courts ruled in my favour. It restores my faith in the Indian judiciary.”
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 "Rajiv Rai")
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