Tu Meri Main Tera: 'Saat Samundar Paar' Sparks Credit Row As Anand Bakshi's Son Alleges Infringememt

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri (TMMTMTTM) has officially hit the silver screens on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025. The film, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, has only started with morning shows in major cinemas across India, and it has already sparked controversy. The family of lyricist Anand Bakshi is now calling out the makers for misattributing lyric credits in the film’s remix of the iconic song, Saat Samundar Paar.

Anand Bakshi’s son slams makers for failing to give proper credit to Saat Samundar Paar lyrics

So, what’s the controversy about? The original Saat Samundar Paar, which was featured in the 1992 film Vishwatma, was written by Anand Bakshi, composed by Viju Shah, and sung by Sadhana Sargam and Udit Narayan. Even after three decades, the song remains one of the most beloved Bollywood chartbusters.

The Kartik Aaryan–Ananya Panday film features a new remix of Saat Samundar Paar, sung by Karan Nawani, with Kartik dancing alongside viral choreography group Quick Style. In the end credits, the remix reportedly lists both Anand Bakshi and singer Karan Nawani as lyricists. Now, the lyricist’s son, screenwriter Rakesh Anand Bakshi, has slammed the makers, arguing that merely adding one or two lines to an original song does not warrant a co-lyricist status.

Rakesh Bakshi calls for industry reform

Rakesh recently posted a strongly worded message on Instagram to TMMTMTTM’s producers, urging publishers to clearly distinguish additional contributions from originals, as they do for music arrangements on streaming platforms. Pointing out the lyricist's misattribution, Rakesh stressed that the credits should not dilute the contributions of the original writers. He wrote:

“The producer and or publisher should not claim credit for any writer, singer, etc, as co-lyricist for adding one or two lines to the original lyrics; Like they've put original/additional music in the credits, they could have done it with the lyrics too. This is the format which is currently used in streaming Platforms. They need to reform it. ASAP. It’s 2025 today. Not 25 CE that they can’t effect reform ASAP.”

Rakesh further criticised the newly added lyrics in the remix, claiming that they are a “mismatch” that breaks the emotional continuity of his father’s original verse. While crediting the lyric changes, Rakesh urged the makers to give proper credit where it is due. He wrote:

“I appreciate the singer has recomposed it slower and sung it well, but I do not appreciate the lyrics he recreated. They are not in keeping with the thought behind the earlier verse. It's a mismatch, breaks the continuity of the earlier verse… please respect lyricists as much you have given deserving credits to all others; I have no other opinion on this matter.”

See the post here.

More about Tu Meri Main Tera

Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, starring Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday, is directed by Sameer Vidwans and produced by Dharma Productions and Namah Pictures. The film follows ‘Ray’ (Kartik Aaryan) and ‘Rumi’ (Ananya Panday) as they meet in Croatia, fall in love, and face family-driven obstacles. While Rumi cannot leave India because her widowed father (Jackie Shroff) will not allow it, Ray’s mother (Neena Gupta) insists on an Indian bride. 

The will-they-won’t-they film opened in theatres on the morning of December 25, 2025, and early reviews are already coming in. It seems to have missed the mark, with viewers calling it "Jab Harry Met Sejal 2.0." The Saat Samundar Paar remix has also sparked mixed reactions.

As of now, neither the makers nor the music label has issued an official response to Rakesh Bakshi’s remarks. What are your thoughts on the controversy?

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