Playback singer Waris Baig disclosed that filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt publicly apologized to him on a Pakistani TV channel for using the melody of his famous song “Kal Shab Dekha Chand Jharokay Mein.”
In a recent appearance on a private TV show, Baig spoke candidly about various topics. He noted that he achieved fame through his audio albums before entering the realm of film playback singing.
After making the transition to films, he collaborated with legendary artist Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who had him sing several songs. Baig mentioned that Nusrat often had him perform Punjabi and Urdu songs with melodies reminiscent of qawwalis.
He also revealed that he sang for Indian films under Nusrat’s guidance and took pride in that experience. During the show, Baig pointed out that in the 1990s and 2000s, several Bollywood films used tunes from his Punjabi and Urdu songs without permission.
He specifically noted that the song “Lamha Lamha Doorie” from Mahesh Bhatt’s film “Gangster” was based on his hit track “Kal Shab Dekha Chand Jharokay Mein.” Although he did not take legal action regarding these instances, Baig mentioned that Mahesh Bhatt later appeared on a popular morning show in Pakistan and apologized, explaining that he was unaware the melody belonged to Baig and that it had been provided by a Pakistani artist.
Baig expressed his satisfaction with Bhatt’s acknowledgment and chose not to pursue any action against him. He also revealed that the popular song “Chanda Chamke” from Aamir Khan and Kajol’s film “Fanaa” was inspired by one of his Punjabi tracks.
Despite several Bollywood films using his melodies without permission, Baig opted not to take action against Yash Raj Films or other Indian productions.