Rajesh Roshan: “Pay royalty to Asha Bhosle for Dum Maro Dum”

While the renowned music composer Rajesh Roshan is thrilled to see RD Burman’s Dum maro dum being used as the hookline in the new ad for the Apple phone, he wonders who benefits financially from it.

“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.