The much-awaited reunion of Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar in the upcoming horror comedy Bhooth Bangla has already excited fans. However, the release of the film’s first song, Ram Ji Aake Bhala Karenge, sparked a wave of speculation among film buffs. Many pointed out striking similarities between the song’s lyrics and the iconic Bhooter Raja Dilo Bor from Satyajit Ray’s 1969 fantasy classic Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne.
At the trailer launch of Bhooth Bangla today, Priyadarshan took center stage to set the record straight. Addressing the media during an interactive session, the veteran filmmaker responded to the comparisons with his trademark poise and deep reverence for the legendary Ray. When asked if the lyrical similarities were a conscious decision or a tribute, Priyadarshan was quick to explain his admiration for Satyajit Ray. He said: “The first thing I want to tell you is that he is fine, that is, I have great respect for him because he is one of the teachers from whom I learned cinema.”
Addressing the specific use of the word “Bhoot” (ghost) and the rhythmic listing of various spirits in the song, which mirrors Ray’s famous Bengali song, the director questioned the notion that words can be possessed in a creative sense. He said, “The word you are saying is Bhoot, correct? Wahan Bhoot, Yahan Bhoot. Now, can I ask you something? How many songs, hundreds of them, have used the word Deewana in Indian cinema? How many? That means the first person who used the word Deewana has the right to use it. So it is just a word.”
Priyadarshan further explained that while the lyrics may share a thematic or phonetic vibe with the 1969 masterpiece, the musical composition stands on its own. He clarified that the two lines in question do not constitute a copy of the soul of the original work. He explained: “We can’t use… if someone uses two lines, everyone can use them, but the melody has nothing to do with that song. It has nothing to do with it. The person who writes the lyrics has written them… and that’s why we were so confident.”
The director also noted that titles and themes often repeat themselves in cinema, citing the 1964 film Bhoot Bungla, starring Mehmood and RD Burman, as an example of how certain creative elements are part of a shared cinematic heritage. Concluding his response, Priyadarshan reaffirmed that any reference to Ray’s work must be seen through the lens of deep admiration and not imitation. It placed the legendary filmmaker on the highest possible pedestal. He mentioned, “As I already told you, I respect Satyajit Ray as the god of Indian cinema.”
Also Read: Exclusive: Rohan Shankar says Bhooth Bangla has dialogues from Akshay Kumar-Priyadarshan’s past hits
