Music composer Anu Malik, who originally composed the iconic song Woh Ladki Jo from the 1999 film Baadshah, has shared his thoughts after singer Dua Lipa performed a mashup of her hit song Levitating and Woh Ladki Jo. The mashup, created by DJ Ruchir Kulkarni, gained significant attention, with Dua Lipa’s performance adding to the song’s worldwide popularity.
Anu Malik Expresses Gratitude to Dua Lipa
Anu Malik recently expressed his appreciation for Dua Lipa, calling her “a very, very talented” singer. He thanked her for introducing Woh Ladki Jo to a broader audience, making it even more popular than it already was. Speaking to News18, Anu shared how he was proud of the song’s success and its viral spread across the globe. He acknowledged the huge contribution of Shah Rukh Khan, the actor on whom the song was picturized, in making it a memorable part of Baadshah. Anu believes that Shah Rukh’s star power played a key role in taking the song to greater heights.
However, Anu Malik also emphasized that the true origin of the song must be recognized. “Credit is important,” he said, explaining that people should know that Woh Ladki Jo was composed by him and sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya. He noted that while he is grateful for the song’s global recognition, it is essential to give credit where it is due.
A Request for Proper Credit
While Anu is thankful for the song’s continued popularity, he made it clear that he believes artists deserve recognition for their work. “We can only request them to give us the rightful credit,” he stated. “Aaj kal toh hum sirf haath jodke request karte hain (these days, we only request with folded hands).” Anu expressed that he is not someone who likes to stir controversies but simply wants the world to acknowledge the contributions of the people behind the song.
He went on to explain that while they are proud that Woh Ladki Jo has reached such a global stage, he wants to ensure that both he and Abhijeet are properly credited for their roles in creating the song. He expressed gratitude to Dua Lipa for giving the song a new life through her mashup, but also felt it was important for the public to know the original creators.
Anu Malik’s Curiosity About the Song’s Rights
Anu Malik also expressed curiosity about how the rights for the song were obtained for the mashup. He questioned whether Dua Lipa’s team had obtained permission from the right sources and if his and Abhijeet’s names were mentioned when the mashup was created. “I don’t know the whole story,” he admitted. “All I know is that people are celebrating the fact that my song was used so well in the mashup. They are loving the production, and I’m happy to see how my tune plays in the background.”
The Original Song and the Mashup’s Success
Woh Ladki Jo is a popular track from the film Baadshah, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Twinkle Khanna. Sung by Abhijeet Bhattacharya, the song became an instant hit. In 2020, Dua Lipa released her song Levitating, which was later combined with Woh Ladki Jo in a mashup by DJ Ruchir Kulkarni. The mashup was released in 2023 and quickly gained attention, especially after Dua’s live performance, which caught the eyes of fans worldwide.
Dua Lipa’s Reaction
Dua Lipa herself shared her excitement about the mashup, calling it “amazing” when she first heard it. In a comment on a fan’s post about her performance, she wrote, “I HAD TO!!!! Tooo much fun!!” The singer’s enthusiasm has only added to the buzz surrounding the mashup and the song’s renewed popularity.
Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s Take on the Situation
Abhijeet Bhattacharya, the original singer of Woh Ladki Jo, also spoke out about the lack of credit given to the creators. He pointed out that Dua Lipa, as a fellow artist, should have acknowledged the work of Anu Malik, Javed Akhtar, and himself. Despite his frustration, Abhijeet added that he did not mind whether Dua Lipa mentioned his name or not, but the fact that the song was getting attention was more important to him. However, he did express that credit should have been given, especially when it comes to such iconic tracks.
While Anu Malik and Abhijeet Bhattacharya appreciate the renewed attention Woh Ladki Jo has received, they both hope that the rightful credit is given to those who created the song. They also celebrate the fact that the song is still loved by audiences today, many years after its original release.
