North India Statesman
Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s upcoming folk-thriller Vvan: Force of the Forest has landed in legal hot water just days ahead of its scheduled theatrical premiere. Independent singer and composer Sargam Vaish has publicly called out the makers, alleging that his original devotional track a contemporary rendition of Aigiri Nandini was lifted and incorporated into the film’s official trailer without his prior authorization or consent. Issuing an ultimatum through social media channels, Vaish demanded that the production team immediately remove his composition from all promotional materials or face legal proceedings.
The controversy emerged shortly after the high-energy trailer dropped across digital platforms, spotlighting mystical central Indian lore. Taking to Instagram, Vaish shared a side-by-side comparison video demonstrating that an approximate 25-second segment of the trailer (playing between the 1:08 and 1:30 timestamps) features his original master recording, vocals, and sound production.
Allegations of Unlicensed Master Audio Use
Vaish revealed that he had spent over three years developing, producing, and polishing his version of Aigiri Nandini. According to the artist, the creators did not merely recreate the arrangement but allegedly ripped the untouched master files directly into the trailer’s background soundscape.
The unauthorized inclusion has put the composer in a precarious professional bind. Vaish stated that he had already signed exclusive commercial rights for the piece with a leading music label. The unexpected public release of the audio in a major motion picture trailer threatens his contractual standing, raising critical questions regarding intellectual property rights and commercial exclusivity in mainstream Bollywood marketing.
Threat of Court Intervention Ahead of September 25 Release
Directly addressing the production partners behind the film, Vaish asked the team to present proof of valid licensing if they believe they acquired rights through third-party intermediaries, or take down the music immediately. He confirmed that if the production does not address the issue, his legal counsel has been briefed to pursue formal legal action against the producers.
Vvan: Force of the Forest is jointly produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and The Viral Fever (TVF), with Deepak Mishra and Arunabh Kumar at the helm. With the movie set to hit the big screen on September 25, the production house has yet to release an official statement regarding the licensing claims or confirm whether the disputed soundtrack cue will be modified in digital prints.
