''Uncanny...'': Israel Envoy Shares 'Diljale' Song That Sounds Similar To Israeli National Anthem

Singer-composer Anu Malik is being called out on Twitter after Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel to India, shared an audio clip of a Bollywood patriotic song that sounds similar to the Israeli National Anthem. Notably, Mr. Malik had copied the exact tune of Israel's national anthem titled Hatikvah for his song 'Mera Mulk Mera Desh' from Ajay Devgn's 1996 film 'Diljale'. 

Mr Gilon shared the audio clip, along with the flags of India and Isreal, and wrote, ''Today I discovered a beautiful Indian patriotic melody that deeply touched me. I couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance to Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah," in the harmonious notes and cadence. Yet, it was the lyrics, that resonated in my heart like a beacon of hope and unity.''

Here's the post:

Today I discovered a beautiful Indian patriotic melody that deeply touched me.

I couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance to Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah," in the harmonious notes and cadence.

Yet, it was the lyrics, "मेरा मुल्क, मेरा देश, मेरा ये वतन, शांति का… pic.twitter.com/KSUiZKSJeN

— Naor Gilon (@NaorGilon) October 23, 2023

'Hatikvah' was composed in 1887 and was later adopted by Israel as its National Anthem in 1948.

Reacting to Mr Gilon's post, many on X slammed the 62-year-old composer-singer, while others posted messages of solidarity and peace. 

One user wrote, ''Bollywood! copied again!'' Another commented, ''Oops you caught us! Highly popular number sung by Kumar Shanu. With little help from Israel of course.''

A third wrote, ''Annu Malik plagiarized it! That is so sad. We apologize on his behalf.''

A fourth added, ''We are touched by the Israeli Ambassador's appreciation of the Indian patriotic melody. It is indeed a beautiful song that expresses the love and pride for our country, our land, and our people. It is also a song that reflects the values of peace, progress, and harmony that India and Israel share. We stand with Israel in friendship and solidarity.''

In the past too, Anu Malik has been accused of copying other musicians' work on several occasions. The singer, who has won the National Award for Best Music Direction for the 2000 film Refugee, has been called out for copying the music of Wham!'s song Last Christmas for his 1995 track Dil Mera Churaya Kyun, the tune of Linear's Sending All My Love for Neend Churayi Meri from Ishq and the music of Toto Cutugno's L'Italiano for the song Nasha Ye Pyar Ka Nasha.