PPL India, which is known to manage public performance rights for labels like Sony Music India, accused Endemol Shine India and Banijay of blatant infringement by airing the songs without a licence. The notice demands retroactive fees and punitive damages, bringing to the fore the financial stakes in reality TV, where music is considered central to the drama.
Music rights clash in the house
Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL) has issued a legal notice to the makers of Bigg Boss 19, pressing for an amount of Rs 2 crore in damages for using two Bollywood hits without permission. Episode 11, aired on September 3, prominently included high-energy performances to “Chikni Chameli” from Agneepath (2012) and “Dhat Teri Ki” from Gori Tere Pyaar Mein (2013), most definitely elevating the contestants’ antics, but at the same time, ended up drawing the copyright regulator’s ire.
Legal fallout and netizen reactions
The notice, dated September 20, highlights how the tracks were integral to choreography and were broadcast to a national audience without clearance, reports Bollywood Hungama. Industry sources suggest miscommunication often causes such lapses, but the Rs 2 crore penalty, comparable to a mid-tier celebrity fee, has made waves. An X user quipped, “Bigg Boss 19 serving drama inside and outside the house now, Rs 2 cr for two songs? That’s Teri Ki level of expensive”.
PPL Chairperson Amitabh Kant has long championed stricter enforcement to curb piracy. For Bigg Boss, already managing contestant feuds and TRP battles, the legal notice adds pressure. Endemol Shine India has yet to comment, but a settlement or court escalation appears likely.
Broader implications
Streaming partner Jio Cinema is also named, potentially sharing liability. The row could push reality shows towards royalty-free or in-house music, while enforcing royalties for original artists.
As the season heads toward its finale, the incident serves as an admonition that even blockbuster entertainment must respect intellectual property, or risk turning a ratings hit into a costly legal saga.
