23 May,2026 08:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mashooqa song. Pic via screenshot
Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Kriti Sanon, has been creating buzz lately. However, the film recently found itself in a controversy after many alleged that its latest song Mashooqa, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon, was copied. Many labelled it as plagiarised, comparing it to the 1993 Italian song Se So Arrubate A Nonna by duo Bibi and Coco, claiming that it sounds similar.
Amid the claims, the song's singer, Raghav Chaitanya, has come forward to defend music composer Pritam Chakraborty, calling the plagiarism allegations "completely baseless."
Chaitanya posted a note in support of Pritam, that reads, "There has been a lot of conversation around the song Mashooqa, and I feel it's important to address the ongoing speculation directly. The allegations of plagiarism against Pritam da are completely baseless."
"As someone who has sung the song and been closely associated with its creative process, I can confidently say that Mashooqa is an original composition," he added.
He further explained, "In music, certain melodic movements or motifs can occasionally evoke familiarity because there are only so many ways emotions can be expressed musically. A motivic similarity does not amount to copying or plagiarism,
He added that describing the Cocktail 2 song as an inspired track would be "inaccurate." He said , "To call this song inspired by another track is itself inaccurate, because the composition, arrangement, emotion and treatment of Mashooqa are entirely its own."
Concluding the note, he said. "Pritam da has contributed immensely to Indian music for decades, and reducing creative coincidence to plagiarism undermines the integrity and hard work of everyone involved. I would urge listeners to experience the song in its entirety before jumping to conclusions based on short clips or online comparisons. There is already so much negativity in the world, let's please spread some love."
Earlier, Pritam had also reacted to the accusation via a strongly worded note on Instagram Stories, which read, "Every single one of my song releases comes with a set of self-appointed music detectives, who have created a new genre called âimaginary similarities'. Same people, same âinspired by' thesis. Boss, at this point, you are my unpaid PR team. I just want to say, guys, NOT NICE."
