Pritam is once again facing plagiarism accusations online, and this time the controversy is linked to the recently released song Mashuqa from the upcoming film Cocktail 2. Ever since the track dropped, social media users started comparing it with the 1993 Italian song Se So Arrubate A Nonna, with many claiming the melody sounds unusually similar. The debate spread quickly across Instagram, X, and YouTube, where listeners began posting side-by-side clips and reaction videos discussing the resemblance between the two songs.
But unlike earlier times when such discussions mostly stayed among music fans, this time Pritam himself directly responded to the criticism. Late on Wednesday night, the composer posted a sharp message on Instagram Stories expressing frustration over what he described as repetitive “imaginary similarities” pointed out every time one of his songs gets released. Without naming anyone specifically, he sarcastically referred to online critics as “self-appointed music detectives” and joked that they had basically become his unpaid PR team by constantly discussing his work.
Pritam Says Social Media Turns Every Release Into A Trial
In his Instagram note, Pritam made it clear that he is tired of seeing every new release dragged into plagiarism conversations almost immediately after launch. According to him, the same cycle repeats every single time — comparisons, “inspired by” theories, and endless online breakdowns trying to connect his music with older international tracks. His reaction honestly sounded less defensive and more exhausted, especially because these accusations have followed him for a very long time throughout his career.
Pritam has faced similar criticism since the early 2000s, particularly during the phase when Bollywood music often borrowed heavily from global pop, Arabic, and European sounds. Despite that reputation, he still went on to become one of the biggest composers in modern Hindi cinema. Over the years, he delivered hugely successful albums for films like Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Barfi!, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Brahmastra Part One: Shiva. Many of those soundtracks became chartbusters and are still remembered among Bollywood’s most popular music albums from the last decade.
What makes the latest controversy more noticeable is how quickly internet users now identify similarities between songs from completely different countries and eras. A few seconds of melody comparison can instantly go viral online, and audiences today are far more exposed to global music libraries than before. Because of that, composers often find themselves under heavy scrutiny, especially if they already carry a past reputation for “inspiration” controversies.
‘Cocktail 2’ Already Generating Buzz Before Release
Apart from the music controversy, Cocktail 2 is already attracting major attention because of its cast and connection to the 2012 hit Cocktail. The upcoming film stars Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna in leading roles. Even though the new film is reportedly being treated more as a spiritual sequel rather than a direct continuation, fans are still curious to see whether it can recreate the stylish urban romance vibe that made the original movie so popular years ago.
Right now, though, the spotlight has shifted almost entirely toward Mashuqa and the plagiarism debate surrounding it. Some listeners continue defending Pritam by arguing that similarities in music are unavoidable in modern compositions, while others believe Bollywood composers should be held more accountable when melodies resemble older international tracks too closely. Either way, the controversy has already made the song trend online, which ironically might end up giving the film even more attention before release.
