Back on 25th March, rapper Badshah released Genda Phool through label Sony Music India - featuring Jacqueline Fernandes in the music video along with playback singer Payal Dev on lead vocals.

Unsurprisingly, the song released to mixed reactions. While no one, in particular, was upset at seeing Fernandes and several Bengali fans appreciated Payal Devâs vocals, Badshah was criticised for tepid lyrics, repetitive production and every artistâs favourite 10-letter word, plagiarism- concerning the lyrical work of Bengali folk songwriter, Ratan Kahar.

And all the credit goes to @Its_Badshah & Team? not to the #RatanKahar, writer & composer of the original folk song

Simply this isn't right, we felt really bad.

@Its_Badshah the ultimate plagiarist. How dare you steal the lyrics without giving a credit to Ratan Kahar

Badshah, however, soon played it down. 

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror in an interview the rapper said, âIf it was a case of plagiarism, we would be facing the consequences by now. The original song has been recreated several times in the past, even in Bengali films, and Ratan ji has never been credited. Itâs sad because royalties are an artisteâs only source of income. I want to share the royalty of this song with him.â

The rapper followed this promise by sharing that he wished to âmeet him and record a song with him.â

The song in question happens to be Borloker Bitilo - a Santhali folk song from the 1970s that talks about a young man falling in love with a woman from a richer household, a theme that resonated with thousands of Bengalis in the 1980s when the song became widely popular - so much so that fans remembered it even today after listening to Badshahâs track.

Badshah had earlier shared a detailed post about how he was trying to reach out to Ratan but was unaware of his whereabouts. According to a report in IANS, Ratan lives in Birbhum districtâs Siuri town with his family. 

© Twitter

On being made aware of the song, Ratan had humbly replied, âIt feels great that such a renowned artist has used my song and has expressed his desire to help me. I have watched his video and I liked it.â He had added, âI hope Badshah will help me. I expect a little monetary help from him. I live in a poverty-stricken condition and will be glad to receive his help.â

Soon after, Badshah extended monetary help to the 80-year-old singer-songwriter by paying him Rs 5 lakh upfront, while maintaining his promise of royalties. 

While weâre not sure yet if this is the exact compensation that Ratan deserves, Badshah was quick to move the conversation to critical appreciation of his work - especially remakes in an era where theyâre becoming less and less welcome.

âIt worked but Iâm still asked to play my version wherever I go,â he chuckles, pointing out that he worked on the only remake AR Rahman agreed to. âWe were at an event and he called me from the other end of the room, to say that he really liked my remixed version of âHumma Hummaâ. Now, that was a compliment.â

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