When Michael Jackson's THIS 1996 hit song was compared to Kajol-Saif Ali Khan's song; Anu Malik defended inspiration claims

The song "Neela Dupatta Peela Suit" from the 1997 film 'Hameshaa' continues to remain familiar among Bollywood music fans. The track was composed by Anu Malik, while Dev Kohli handled the lyrics. Vocals were provided by Abhijeet Bhattacharya and Alka Yagnik. Some reports also credit Sadhana Sargam for the song. The number became known for its vibrant visuals and youthful energy. Its playful mood and romantic presentation matched the style that dominated several Bollywood songs during that period.

The track became a popular dance number

For many listeners, the song starring Kajol and Saif Ali Khan became associated with the music trends of the late 1990s. It gradually built recognition as a memorable dance track from that era.

While the song enjoyed popularity, it later became part of wider discussions involving musical similarities in Bollywood. Music listeners and critics often pointed to noticeable similarities between "Neela Dupatta Peela Suit" and Michael Jackson's 1996 track "They Don’t Care About Us," which was part of the HIStory album. Discussions largely focused on similarities involving percussion patterns, rhythm design, and the overall musical structure of the songs. Over time, the track frequently appeared in conversations about inspiration and adaptation trends seen in Hindi film music during the 1990s.

Anu Malik addressed the originality debate

Anu Malik has repeatedly spoken about such criticism during different interviews over the years. The composer has maintained that similarities in music do not necessarily mean direct copying. He has often explained that composers across generations have drawn influence from various sources while creating their work. As reported by IANS, Anu discussed the topic in an earlier interview and also referred to Salman Khan's song “Ek garam chai ki pyali ho,” which has often been compared with Queen's track “We will rock you."

Anu Malik defended his perspective

Anu told IANS in an interview: “That is one of my most iconic original songs. If we go back in time, even R.D. Burman was influenced by many songs, or even today’s composers are. There are seven notes—Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni… No one is original in the world. We have to play around the notes and make our own stuff. People won’t give me a national award just like that.” "People believe in my originality more than anything else. It’s a great feeling. But my best is yet to come,” he added.

Featuring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol, the energetic dance number "Neela Dupatta Peela Suit" attracted attention for its lively presentation and catchy rhythm.