Just days before its theatrical release, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai has suddenly found itself pulled into a legal mess involving old Bollywood songs, remake rights, and a fresh copyright fight. What started as allegations from producer Vashu Bhagnani has now turned into a bigger industry dispute after Tips Music Limited publicly pushed back against the claims. The company has now stated that it legally owns all rights connected to the songs Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai, which are reportedly at the center of the controversy.
The legal drama has created a lot of buzz around the Varun Dhawan-led entertainer because both songs are strongly linked with classic David Dhawan-era comedy films from the late 90s. Fans quickly noticed similarities and references after promotional material from the upcoming movie surfaced online. While social media users started debating whether the film crossed a line creatively, the companies involved have now taken the matter directly into the legal space.
Tips Music Says It Holds All Legal Rights
On May 25, Tips Music Limited released a detailed public statement responding to the allegations made by Puja Entertainment India Limited (PEIL), the company headed by producer Vashu Bhagnani. In its clarification, Tips described itself as the “absolute and lawful owner” of the copyrights and associated rights related to the songs being questioned. The music label also rejected claims of copyright infringement and insisted that all usage connected to the tracks has been carried out legally.
The company further revealed that it has already approached the Supreme Court of India regarding the matter and referred to an order dated May 22, 2026. According to the statement, all necessary legal remedies are currently being pursued with the advice of its legal team. Tips also made it clear that it intends to continue protecting its intellectual property rights under applicable laws.
Interestingly, this dispute comes at a time when Bollywood has heavily leaned into nostalgia-driven remixes, recreated tracks, and callbacks to older franchises. Over the past few years, several producers and music labels have clashed over ownership rights, adaptation permissions, and revenue sharing involving legacy content. That larger industry tension seems to be reflecting again in this latest case.
Why Vashu Bhagnani Took Legal Action
The controversy reportedly began after Vashu Bhagnani accused the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai of using elements connected to Biwi No.1 and other older films without proper authorization. His objections mainly focused on the iconic song Chunnari Chunnari, which remains one of the most recognisable tracks from the Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen starrer. Bhagnani argued that intellectual property linked to his productions was allegedly being reused without consent.
Reports claimed that Bhagnani later approached a court in Katihar, Bihar, seeking protection of rights connected not only to Biwi No.1 but also films like Coolie No.1 and Hero No.1. Some reports also suggested that the court directed all involved parties to maintain status quo until further legal review happens. However, Bhagnani reportedly stated he would withdraw objections if the filmmakers are able to prove that no unauthorized material has actually been used.
The situation has also reopened discussions around Bhagnani’s long-standing working relationship with filmmaker David Dhawan. Industry insiders have often spoken about their successful collaborations during the 90s comedy era, which delivered several commercially successful films. Because of that history, many people were surprised seeing the disagreement become public in such a serious way.
Meanwhile, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur, is currently scheduled to release in cinemas on June 5, 2026. The film has already been gaining attention for its colourful commercial setup, comedy-heavy tone, and strong connection to classic David Dhawan-style entertainers.
