Top News

Mumbai: The recently released song Mashooqa from Cocktail 2, featuring Kriti Sanon and Shahid Kapoor, has sparked a fresh online debate after social media users claimed its music resembles a 1993 Italian folk track.

The song, which quickly gained popularity online for its vibrant visuals and chemistry between the lead actors, is now facing allegations of being “copied” from the Italian song Se So Arrubate A Nonna by Bibi and Coco.

While the makers of the film have not officially responded to the comparisons, discussions around sampling, inspiration and plagiarism have intensified across social media platforms and online forums.

Reddit users compare songs

The controversy began after a Reddit post claimed that Mashooqa shares musical similarities with Se So Arrubate A Nonna, a track released in 1993 as part of the album Le Origini Vol. 2.

The Italian song, though not a mainstream global hit, has retained a cult following for its traditional Neapolitan folk-inspired style and theatrical musical arrangement.

Internet users soon began comparing the beats and rhythm patterns of the two songs, with some alleging that the Bollywood track borrowed heavily from the original composition.

Others, however, argued that the similarities were limited to certain rhythmic elements and did not amount to outright copying.

Debate over sampling versus plagiarism

The online discussion soon shifted towards a larger debate over sampling in the music industry.

Several users defended Mashooqa, arguing that borrowing or adapting musical beats through legal sampling is a common global practice used by artists across genres.

One user commented that sampling involves taking portions of an existing track and creatively layering new instruments, lyrics and arrangements over it.

Others pointed out that global musicians including Taylor Swift, Pitbull and Kanye West have also used sampled music in their work.

However, some users remained sceptical and questioned whether the similarities were officially licensed or simply inspired by the original composition.

A few critics also referred to earlier plagiarism allegations involving Bollywood music composers, reigniting long-standing conversations around originality in Indian film music.

Italian track has cultural significance

The original Italian song Se So Arrubate A Nonna is rooted in Neapolitan comedic folk music traditions.

The title loosely translates to “They Kidnapped Grandma” and is known for its humorous storytelling, theatrical presentation and energetic rhythm.

The track reflects a musical style popular in Italy during the 1990s, where exaggerated narratives and regional dialect-based performances formed an important part of local pop-folk culture.

Music enthusiasts online noted that the song also carries cultural significance because it preserved regional linguistic identity during a period when mainstream Italian pop music was becoming increasingly commercialised.

The renewed attention surrounding the track has introduced many younger listeners to the Italian folk-inspired composition for the first time.

‘Mashooqa’ gains popularity despite controversy

Despite the debate, Mashooqa continues to trend online and has received positive reactions for its visuals, choreography and overall summer-themed presentation.

The song has been composed by Pritam, written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and sung by Raghav Chaitanya, Mahmood and Ruaa Kayy.

The track was shot in Sicily and has been described by Kriti Sanon as “groovy and flirty”, while Shahid Kapoor called it “pure summer energy”.

Fans of the actors praised their on-screen chemistry, with many social media users saying the song successfully captures a vibrant holiday romance atmosphere.

‘Cocktail 2’ gearing up for release

Cocktail 2 is directed by Homi Adajania and also stars Rashmika Mandanna in a leading role.

The film reportedly features Rashmika as Diya, Shahid Kapoor as Kunal and Kriti Sanon as Ally.

Backed by Maddock Films, the film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on June 19.

As anticipation for the trailer and soundtrack grows, the debate surrounding Mashooqa has further amplified online attention around the film.

However, with no official response yet from the makers regarding the comparison claims, the discussion remains largely driven by social media speculation and fan interpretations.