ISLAMABAD: Pakistani singer Abrar-ul-Haq has once again spoken about his long-running dispute with Indian filmmaker Karan Johar regarding the use of his hit song Nach Punjaban in a Bollywood film.
During a recent interview with journalist Mubashir Hashmi, Abrar-ul-Haq claimed that neither Karan Johar nor his team contacted him to seek permission before using the popular track. He said he never approved the song’s inclusion in the film and maintained that his rights were violated.
Furthermore, the singer alleged that the film gained significant popularity from Nach Punjaban. He added that the song played an important role in the project’s success. Therefore, he believed proper authorization should have been obtained before its use.
Abrar-ul-Haq also revealed that he filed a legal case against Karan Johar over the matter. However, he stated that the dispute remains unresolved and continues to be active.
Discussing the controversy in greater detail, the singer claimed that the rights to the song were obtained through a company called Movie Box. He described the company as fraudulent and questioned its authority to transfer ownership rights. Moreover, he insisted that he never signed any agreement allowing the company or any third party to use, distribute, or sell Nach Punjaban.
According to Abrar-ul-Haq, the issue is straightforward. He said that any document proving a transfer of rights should be presented publicly. However, he maintained that no such agreement exists bearing his signature.
In addition, the singer claimed that different explanations have emerged over the years regarding the song’s rights. He argued that these conflicting accounts have only intensified the controversy.
Abrar-ul-Haq further suggested that the case remains unresolved partly because he has not actively pursued it in recent years. Nevertheless, he stressed that the matter was never settled and continues to view the use of Nach Punjaban as unauthorized. The song remains one of his most celebrated hits and continues to attract fans across the region.
