Filmmaker Rajiv Rai has expressed concern over the unauthorized use of his iconic song “Saat Samundar” from Vishwatma (1992) in the teaser of the upcoming romantic comedy Tu Meri Main Tera, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday.
The 32-second teaser, released in December 2024, featured the opening beats of the classic track, prompting Rai to take action. Speaking to Mid-Day, he revealed that he was surprised to hear the familiar musical cues and immediately instructed his legal team to contact Dharma Productions and Saregama, the music label that holds distribution rights to his works. According to Rai, no prior approval was sought for using the track in the film’s promotional material.
“Saat Samundar’s beats are not in the latest teaser. I am unsure if they are part of the final film. Nevertheless, they cannot be used without permission. There is a concerning trend of filmmakers reusing old songs without proper authorization,” Rai stated.
Rai emphasized that while Saregama can distribute his music, the label cannot license his compositions for use in other films under his existing contracts. His legal team has formally reached out to producer Karan Johar and the Tu Meri Main Tera team, requesting that the use of his music be halted unless proper permissions are obtained. Despite this, Rai hopes for an amicable resolution.
“They can use the songs for television and stage performances, but not in a new film. The proper legal process must be followed, including financial compensation. I prefer to avoid legal battles, but will take action if necessary,” Rai added.
This is not the first time Rai has faced such issues. He recalled the unauthorized remix of “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” (Mohra, 1994) for Sooryavanshi (2021), which was later resolved amicably with director Rohit Shetty. Rai also noted that he has allowed his compositions to be used in some projects without charge, including Aryan Khan’s debut series, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.
Tu Meri Main Tera is slated for a Christmas 2025 release, generating anticipation among fans of the lead actors and Bollywood romance films.
