Mumbai: Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics has come as a big embarrassment for Bollywood music composer.
After Dolgopyat was presented his medal at the podium on Sunday, the Israeli national anthem, Hatikvah, was played. It was then that Twitter users in India realised that the anthem sounded similar to the song ‘Mera Mulk Mera Desh’ in the movie Diljale.
The 1996 patriotic song was composed by Malik and sung by Kumar Sanu and Aditya Narayan. The video featured Ajay Devgn.
After Hatikvah was played, several internet users took to Twitter and criticised the composer for plagiarising the tune of Israel’s national anthem.
“Israel won their second ever Gold at Olympics and Indians ended up remembering Anu Malik,” a Twitter user joked. “I was today years old when I realised Anu Malik plagiarised Israel national anthem. What… shamelessness is this man. How sad,” another added.
“Anu Malik just simply didn’t copy Israel national anthem in 1996 film Diljale song. It needs years or research and analysis to find out which country isn’t going to win medals for years. Visionary man,” another Twitter user joked.
Malik has been accused of plagiarising music on several occasions in the past. Songs like Dil Mera Churaya Kyun, Kaho Na Kaho, Neend Churayi Meri and Nasha Ye Pyar Ka Nasha are a few songs that appear to be “inspired” by international songs, Hindustan Times reported.
