“Pay royalty to Asha Bhosle for ‘Dum Maro Dum'” – Rajesh Roshan

By Subhash K. Jha -

September 22, 2021 - 11:00 AM IST

While the renowned music composer Rajesh Roshan is thrilled to see R D Burman’s ‘Dum Maro Dum’ being used as the hook line in the new ad for the Apple phone, he wonders who benefits financially from it.

“Pay royalty to Asha Bhosle for ‘Dum Maro Dum'” – Rajesh Roshan

“Panchamda is no more. But Ashaji who sang the number to eternal fame must get royalty for it. That’s the least bit of courtesy one can expect from a multinational,” says Rajesh Roshan

As for the durability of ‘Dum Maro Dum’ Rajesh reasons, “Well, firstly it mentions the God Lord’s name prominently… bolo subah sham hare Krishna hare Rama..Secondly it’s the genius of Panchamda at work here. It’s a huge hit song, cutting across barriers of language race and culture.”

However Rajesh Roshan who in his time carved such melodic gems as ‘Bhool Gaya Sab Kuch’ (Julie), ‘Kya Mausam Hai’ (Doosra Aaadmi), ‘Aa Ree Aaja Neendiya’ (Kunwara Baap) and ‘Choo Kar Mere Mann Ko’ (Yaraana) feels the version of ‘Dum Maro Dum’ used in the Apple ad has not done justice to the original RD composition.

“They should’ve worked harder on it. It is very poorly done. What Panchamda did in ‘Dum Maro Dum’ 40 years ago is beyond a miracle. He was way ahead of his times,” ends Rajesh enthusiastically.

Also Read: Zeenat Aman on Apple using her ‘Dum Maro Dum’ in their international ad