Pritam admits copying Yeh Ishq...

Pritam never denies his sources of inspiration. Whether it is the successful songs in Awaraapan or Race, he accepts the inspirational charges with grace. But the charge that the chartbuster 'Yeh Ishq Haaye Jannat Dikhaye' in Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met is ripped off from Indonesian singer Anggun's French number 'Etre une femme' has the habitually-calm composer frothing in indignance.

"I've never denied the sources for my songs. So why should I deny it now? But the fact is, I had never heard Anggun's song when I composed the song in Jab We Met. I don't know the song myself. My friend who's a keyboard player had the groove programmed. I liked the groove and I composed my tune on it. I composed the song in front of so many people. I can guarantee the melody isn't anyone's but my own. I must admit the groove is similar to the one in my song. But that's it. And too to is totally unintentional. Not a note in the rest of my song sounds like Anggun's tune. And if anyone can prove I've copied her song I'm ready to stop composing songs forever.

Catching his breath Pritam admits, "In fact, let me tell you my songs in Mukesh Bhatt's forthcoming film, Jannat, which I had claimed were completely original are no longer so. Some parts of the soundtrack now have borrowed sounds. But 'Yeh Ishq Haye' in Jab We Met is an absolute original."