Skip to content Skip to navigation

Neeraj Pandey’s ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ Faces Plagiarism Row Over Assamese Song

By Prantik Deka |

Acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey’s web series ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’, presently available on OTT platforms, has faced criticism for purportedly utilising the melody of a famous Assamese song without acknowledging its original composers. The song “Moina”, presented in the fourth episode of the series, bears resemblance to “O Moina Kon Bidhatai Sajile”, a classic piece from the 1969 Assamese blockbuster movie ‘Dr. Bezbarua’, directed by Brajen Barua.

Notably, the web series does not specify if the melody was obtained with permission, raising issues about unauthorised usage. Film critic Utpal Datta has strongly condemned this work for its plagiarism, urging the creators to recognise the original source.

“This is a blatant case of disrespect to the artist,” Datta stated. “It is unacceptable for a celebrated writer-director like Neeraj Pandey to use an iconic Assamese melody without giving due credit. Such acts undermine the contributions of pioneering regional artists and disregard the rich legacy of Assamese cinema.”

Datta emphasised the cultural significance of ‘Dr. Bezbarua’, calling it a milestone in Assamese film history. “The film’s music has been deeply cherished for decades. Lifting a tune from it without acknowledgement insults its creators,” he added.

While music director Jeet Ganguli has not commented on the controversy, background music director Sanjay Chowdhury has told Datta he was unaware of the issue. Datta requests the film-tv and music unions to demand corrective action from ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ makers.

“This is not the first instance of Assamese music being appropriated without acknowledgment,” Datta noted. “Even legendary composer Naushad was once accused of borrowing a tune from Assamese musician Yogesh Bharali. Such practices must stop, and we must collectively protest to ensure that regional artists receive the recognition they deserve.”

Datta says “The creators of Khakee: The Bengal Chapter must acknowledge the original song and its composer. This is about preserving the integrity of our musical heritage.”

As the controversy gains momentum, it remains uncertain whether the show’s makers will address the demands for appropriate attribution. Meanwhile, the resurfacing of “O Moina Kon Bidhatai Sajile” has rekindled public interest in ‘Dr. Bezbarua’, reminding audiences of the timeless beauty of Assamese cinema and music.

  • 6824 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Puppet show performed in Port Blair

Puppet dance, popularly known as 'Potola Nach', was once the most popular form of entertainment, especially for children, but the tradition has struggled to survive against the onslaught of modern popular culture.  For some years now, people in the State have been able to enjoy the ancient art form of puppetry due to the tireless efforts of the artistic couple, master puppeteers Binita Devi and Simanta Sarma. This couple has invested a great deal in reviving this art form with their clever and refreshing approach by adopting new but simple techniques, enacting stories through glove puppetry that act as a bridge between the child’s world and that of the adult.  It has also...

New documentary ‘slaughtered dream’ released

‘Slaughtered Dream’ (Understanding Woman & Child Trafficking in Assam), a documentary film on women and child trafficking was screened to immense praise and appreciation at the Jyoti Chitraban in Guwahati recently.  In a clarion call that compel us to take a sharp look at one of the most striking human rights abuses which has been going on in our backyard, the documentary recounts the harrowing experiences of a number of women, children and the destitute in general.  A first-hand accounts and stories of survivors, victims' families and alleged traffickers, this documentary film is a clarion call. Sonapur-based Reema Teron, a survivor of human trafficking, describes the...

New short film Not My Thing released

Women’s participation in the work force has increased over the years, yet, a healthy percentage of the female employees have also had to constantly endure sexual harassment and abuse at the hands of their employers, leading to an oppressive environment in the workplace. Many women prefer to suffer silently over the injustices committed against them, out of fear of losing their jobs. At times, when they do speak up, they are often met by apathetic superiors and colleagues.  A healthy public awareness about the issue of sexual harassment may, perhaps, help prevent its recurrence, which prompted Partha Bharadwaj to produce an Assamese short film - ‘Not my Thing’, that celebrates the...

Natasurya Drama Fest Concludes Successfully

Without doubt, this year’s Natasurya Drama Festival has turned out to be the most outstanding one since its inception. The 23rd edition of the event, organised by Natasurya Memorial Celebration Committee in association with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Assam, from August 1 to 7, treated the audience to a weeklong theatre festival at the Sri Sri Madhab Dev International Auditorium and Srimanta Sankaradeva International Auditorium, Kalakshetra, Guwahati.  I was highly impressed with the quality of plays this year, distinguished by their singular artistry and aesthetics. One could notice a sea of change and obvious professionalism in the use of sound, make-up, costume and...

Short film: Kio Eman Humoniyah

A new short film 'Kio Eman Humoniyah', inspired by real life stories of people who have succumbed to drugs, depression and alcoholism, has been creating waves in social media. Directed by Prasant Saikia of ‘Rum Vodka Whisky’-fame, the musical takes a look at the epidemic of addiction in our society where a lot of young people are overwhelmed by drug and alcohol addiction, resulting in severe anxiety and panic attacks.  The film emphasises on the importance of compassion and fellow feeling. Many lives can be saved if we pay heed to the quiet whispers of those who are suffering and those struggling to liberate themselves from the grip of addiction. It is those very affected who...

Rebel filmmaker Shankar Borua

Shankar Borua is an independent filmmaker from Assam who has continued making cinema with a distinct sensibility and incorporates the voices of the many communities that make up the State. Even though you never went to film school, what inspired you to pursue this line of writing as well as directing indie films? My initial foray into the world of motion pictures began, I believe, when I was a little boy growing up in my hometown Duliajan in Upper Assam. My father, active with the Duliajan Film Society, back in the seventies, would have us kids watch wildlife movies playing off a 16mm projector at home. The cans, the screen, and the projector would occasionally be parked at our residence...

D Day for Piano Kids

GUWAHATI:            The State’s leading music institute Piano Kids celebrated its sixth anniversary with an evening of exhilarating piano music performed by a group of talented youngsters in chic costumes at the Pragjyoti Cultural Complex, Machkhowa, Guwahati, on April 6. The combined musical energy of these kids truly lived up to the expectations and interests among music aficionados. The musical programme, designed and directed by renowned piano maestro Kushal Krishna Dev Goswami, was titled ‘Night Of The Little Pianists 2018’.             After a welcome speech by Dr Pradip...

Sattriya rendering towards perfection

Recently, the audience at the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra’s Sri Sri Madhabdev International Auditorium were treated to an evening of Sattriya Oja pali - 'Sampurna Apaal Poda Gowa', which was enacted for the first time by an all-female troupe, led by the versatile Sattriya exponent Kashmiri Hazarika Kakati, in the august presence of eminent scholars, gurus and danseuses, including renowned danseuse and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr. Sonal Mansingh. Presented by Krishnam, the evening also saw the presentation of the Mahapurush Sri Sri Sankardeva-Sri Sri Madhavdeva Award 2017.             On the occasion, Dr Mansingh, highly impressed...

III Smoking Barrels set to premier at German Film Fest

After a very successful World Premiere at the 38th Durban International Film Festival in South Africa, Sanjib Dey’s debut feature film ‘III Smoking Barrels’ is all set to have its European Premiere in the International Competition section of the 66th International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg, Germany, on November 12, 2017. It is one of the biggest and oldest film festivals in the World that screens the works of first time filmmakers. During its history, the debut feature films of legendary directors such as Satyajit Ray, Francois Truffaut, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Lars von Trier, Fateh Akin, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Jim Jarmusch among others were showcased at this prestigious...

Curiosity Shop opens in theaters

The tag line of the film says it all, "A father, a daughter, and a book store...The Curiosity Shop". Independent filmmaker Shankar Borua's widely anticipated new film The Curiosity Shop opens in movie theaters in Assam on November 3, 2017. Starring Upamanyu Boruwa, Debasmita Borgohain (as Hope, the adopted daughter in the movie), Anupjyoti Choudhury, Krishna Sarma, Ribhu Ranjan Baruah, Stuti Choudhury, Imtinaro Longkumer, Bidisha Kashyap, Sumi Borah, Satya Doley, and Bhargavjyoti Bora, among many others, The Curiosity Shop is an unusual narrative with very pertinent and potent thematic considerations centering around the adoption of a girl child as well as the abuse of women, particularly...