Producer Kumar Taurani has finally spoken about his strained relationship with fellow filmmaker Vashu Bhagnani, revealing how a legal dispute over music rights has affected their decades-old association. In an interview with film trade analyst Komal Nahta, Kumar discussed the disagreement involving Tips Industries and Bhagnani’s production house, Pooja Entertainment.
The dispute centres on the use of the songs Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai from the 1999 film Biwi No. 1 in the Varun Dhawan-starrer Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
Kumar, whose brother Ramesh Taurani heads Tips, said the disagreement was particularly disappointing because of the long professional relationship between the two sides. He questioned why Bhagnani chose to initiate legal proceedings in Bihar instead of approaching them directly or pursuing the matter in Mumbai, which Kumar said was the jurisdiction specified in their contracts.
The producer’s comments have brought renewed attention to a dispute that involves not only music rights but also longstanding personal and professional connections in Bollywood.
“Abhi Thodi Doori Hai”: Kumar Taurani on Their Friendship
Asked whether he and Ramesh Taurani were still on speaking terms with Vashu Bhagnani, Kumar gave a candid response: “No. Abhi thodi doori hai. What to do? If he had a grievance, he could have come and spoken to us.”
The remark suggests that the legal disagreement has created a noticeable distance between people who once shared a close professional association.
Kumar recalled that the Taurani family had supported Bhagnani when he was entering film production. According to him, they worked together on early projects and encouraged Bhagnani when he expressed a desire to produce films independently.
He said they had been happy to see Bhagnani establish himself and had encouraged him to build his own production business. Against that background, Kumar appeared disappointed that the dispute had escalated into legal proceedings rather than being discussed directly.
His remarks reflect his side of the disagreement. Bhagnani has also publicly shared his perspective on the dispute, and the underlying legal questions remain separate from the personal fallout.
Why Did Vashu Bhagnani File the Case in Bihar?
One of Kumar Taurani’s strongest objections concerned the location of the legal proceedings. He said the contracts between the parties, signed around 20 to 25 years ago, specified Mumbai as the jurisdiction for disputes.
Kumar questioned why Bhagnani had filed the case in Katihar, Bihar, which he described as being around 200–300 kilometres from Patna.
He also said the Taurani side had received relief from the High Court and Supreme Court and maintained that the dispute should be pursued in Mumbai in accordance with the contractual arrangements.
These are Kumar’s statements about the litigation and its procedural history. The legal significance of jurisdiction depends on the relevant contracts, applicable law and court orders, rather than either party’s public characterisation alone.
The dispute became more prominent in May 2026, when Pooja Entertainment pursued a claim reportedly seeking ₹400 crore over the alleged unauthorised use of songs from Biwi No. 1. The case brought Tips Industries, the Taurani brothers and director David Dhawan into the controversy.
The Real Issue: Who Owns the Rights to Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai?
At the heart of the controversy is the question of who holds the relevant rights to the two songs being recreated for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
Vashu Bhagnani’s side has argued that the permissions granted to Tips did not cover all the rights required for the use of the songs in the new film. Pooja Entertainment has alleged that the use of the tracks was unauthorised.
Tips Industries, on the other hand, has maintained that it lawfully owns the rights to Chunari Chunari and Ishq Sona Hai. The company and the film’s team have rejected Bhagnani’s allegations and described their position as legally justified.
Kumar Taurani defended the music company’s position by arguing that the relevant rights had been acquired under contracts signed years ago. He questioned why objections were being raised now, after the agreements had remained in place for decades.
However, the precise scope of music rights can depend on the wording of individual agreements, including whether they cover audio recordings, visual use, remakes or other forms of exploitation. The competing claims must therefore be distinguished from a final legal determination.
Kumar Taurani Recalls the Coolie No. 1 Connection
Kumar also referred to Bhagnani’s film Coolie No. 1 (2020), which featured songs from the original 1995 film of the same name.
According to Kumar, Bhagnani had approached Tips to negotiate a deal for using two songs from the original film. Kumar said the parties discussed the matter and reached an arrangement at that time.
He cited this earlier interaction as part of his argument that the music-rights relationship between the two sides had been acknowledged in the past.
Bhagnani’s position, however, centres on the specific rights he believes were granted and the permissions required for the later use of the disputed songs. The earlier agreement, as described by Kumar, is part of his account and does not by itself settle every question relating to the current case.
The disagreement illustrates how music rights can become complicated when songs from older films are reused in new productions, particularly when contracts were signed under different industry practices.
A Legal Dispute That Has Changed a Longstanding Bollywood Relationship
The Kumar Taurani–Vashu Bhagnani disagreement has grown beyond a question of music licensing. Kumar’s comments show that the dispute has also affected a relationship built over years of collaboration and mutual professional support.
Both sides have publicly presented their positions, but their competing claims about ownership and permissions remain matters for the legal process.
For now, Kumar’s phrase “Abhi thodi doori hai” captures the personal consequences of the disagreement. Whether the relationship can improve may depend on how the dispute develops and whether the parties find a way to resolve their differences.
Click here for the latest news from Bollywood, Hollywood, South Film Industry, Bhojpuri and TV world… Click here to join the Facebook Page, Twitter Page, YouTube page, and Instagram of Bollywood Mascot!
Leave a Comment