Filmmaker Priyadarshan has firmly dismissed suggestions that he lifted lyrics for his upcoming film 'Bhooth Bangla' from Satyajit Ray’s 1969 classic 'Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne'. The controversy arose after listeners noted that the hook of the new song 'Ram Ji Bhala Karein' bears a linguistic resemblance to 'Bhuter Raja Dilo Bor' from Ray’s iconic musical.
Speaking at a promotional event on Monday, Priyadarshan argued that such overlaps are inevitable in an industry with a century of history. He pointed out that words like "bhoot" (ghost) or "deewana" (crazy) have been used in hundreds of Indian films, noting that the first person to use a common term does not hold an exclusive right to it. He was also careful to clarify that the actual melody of the song bears no resemblance to the original Bengali track.
The director, who is behind cult favourites like 'Hera Pheri' and 'Bhool Bhulaiya', went on to describe Satyajit Ray as the "god of Indian cinema," insisting that his respect for the master filmmaker remains absolute. He defended his lyricist’s work, noting that the repetition of themes — and even titles — is a standard part of Bollywood. He cited the fact that 'Bhooth Bangla' itself shares its name with a well-known 1965 film starring Mehmood and featuring music by RD Burman.
This latest horror-comedy features a high-profile ensemble cast including Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, and Wamiqa Gabbi. Produced by Akshay Kumar alongside Shobha and Ektaa Kapoor, the film is presented by Balaji Motion Pictures. 'Bhooth Bangla' is scheduled to hit cinemas on April 17, with paid previews starting late in the evening on April 16.
Also read: ‘Bhooth Bangla’ teaser promises chills and thrills
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