'Total teamwork': Kumar Sanu defends himself in 'Tujhe Dekha' controversy
What's the story
Kumar Sanu is trying to quell the controversy born due to composer Lalit Pandit's comments about the credit dispute for the iconic song Tujhe Dekha To. The track, from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, was recently named the UK's favorite '90s Bollywood song by the BBC. Pandit, part of the composer duo Jatin-Lalit, recently expressed dissatisfaction with Sanu for allegedly not acknowledging lyricist Anand Bakshi and Jatin-Lalit's contribution to the song. Now, Sanu has clarified his stance.
Credit acknowledgement
Sanu acknowledged the entire team's contributions
Sanu responded to Pandit's remarks by expressing his appreciation for their work. He told Hindustan Times, "Of course agar music aisa nahi hota toh yeh gaana hit nahi hota (The song wouldn't have been a hit without their music). Same for the lyrics. Jatin Lalit are such music directors... every song has something special. It was total teamwork." "The lyrics were so easy to digest for the public."
Clarification and preference
Sanu addressed potential misunderstanding with the composers
When questioned about any potential misunderstanding, Sanu dismissed the idea. "Kuchh nahi hai. When we meet, we will talk it out. They shouldn't think like this, I have respected them and will always do," he stated. "They have contributed a lot to my life and career, I want to give them respect all the way." Sanu has crooned other iconic Jatin-Lalit songs like Ae Kaash Ke Hum and Ek Din Aap.
Composer's anger
It all started with Lalit's comments
Earlier, Lalit had expressed his anger while speaking to Bollywood Hungama, "The fact that Kumar Sanu didn't acknowledge Anand Bakshi who penned the lyrics and us Jatin-Lalit who composed the music for Tujhe Dekha To, which became a success, was a little upsetting." "It is not good on his part to continuously say, 'Mera gaana hai, mera gaana hai (It's my song, it's my song).'"