Directed by Prabhu Deva, Rowdy Rathore, that has Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha in the lead roles, is set for release in June.
"There is a signature tune in Vikramarkudu, which we couldn't avoid. It was an integral part of the theme in the Telugu film. Our producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is very music-minded, our director Prabhu Deva and my brother Sajid decided that we needed to incorporate that refrain in the Hindi remake, so we did," said Wajid adding that there is nothing underhanded about the appropriation.
"We've taken the rights of the original music and then we've used it. We've also changed the original tune completely. But we still want to draw attention to the borrowed bits before others jump in gleefully and accuse us of plagiarism.
"The Vikramarkudu score is by M.M. Kreem. We're big fans of Kreem Saab. And we agreed to borrow his tune only because it's an honour to associate with him. Otherwise we maintain we'll never borrow let alone copy anyone's music."
"There is a signature tune in Vikramarkudu, which we couldn't avoid. It was an integral part of the theme in the Telugu film. Our producer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is very music-minded, our director Prabhu Deva and my brother Sajid decided that we needed to incorporate that refrain in the Hindi remake, so we did," said Wajid adding that there is nothing underhanded about the appropriation.
"We've taken the rights of the original music and then we've used it. We've also changed the original tune completely. But we still want to draw attention to the borrowed bits before others jump in gleefully and accuse us of plagiarism.
"The Vikramarkudu score is by M.M. Kreem. We're big fans of Kreem Saab. And we agreed to borrow his tune only because it's an honour to associate with him. Otherwise we maintain we'll never borrow let alone copy anyone's music."