In a dramatic turn of events, YouTube has taken down the viral song “Bado Badi” by Chahat Fateh Ali Khan due to copyright infringement. The song, which had amassed over 28 million views since its release in April 2024, was removed on June 6, 2024, igniting a flurry of reactions across social media platforms.
Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, a British Pakistani singer, released his rendition of the iconic song “Akh Ladi Bado Badi,” originally performed by the legendary Noor Jehan for the 1973 film *Banarasi Thug*. The track quickly gained traction, becoming a viral sensation and inspiring numerous memes, TikTok videos, and Instagram Reels. Despite its popularity, the song’s resemblance to Noor Jehan’s original melody and composition led to a copyright claim, prompting YouTube to pull the video.
The Backstory Of Chahat Fateh Ali Khan: From Cricket to Music
Kashif Rana, known by his stage name Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, has had an unconventional journey to fame. Born in Sheikhupura in March 1965, Rana’s first love was cricket. He played first-class cricket for Lahore and participated in the 1983 Quaid-E-Azam Trophy before moving to the United Kingdom. After 12 years in professional cricket, he transitioned to driving a taxi, but his passion for music eventually took centre stage.
Khan began creating and sharing music videos during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. His unique style, characterized by repetitive beats and quirky lyrics, quickly caught the public’s attention. Despite mixed reactions, his songs became viral sensations, leading to appearances on various Pakistani talk shows and podcasts, including “Public Demand with Mohsin Abbas Haider” and “The Honest Hour.”
“Bado Badi” became an overnight sensation, capturing the attention of audiences across South Asia, including Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. The music video, featuring Pakistani actor Wajdan Rao Ranghar, added to its viral appeal. However, Ranghar faced significant backlash for her participation in the video.
“Unfortunately, I performed in the song out of desperation. People are trolling me and asking why I would agree to feature in this song. I replied I didn’t have money to buy clothes for Eid, and it is better than stealing,” Ranghar explained in an interview with The Indian Express.
Despite the controversy, the song’s catchy hook, “Aye haye Oye Hoye, Bado Badi,” resonated with young audiences and became a popular soundbite for social media content creators. Yet, this success was marred by the copyright infringement claim from Noor Jehan’s team, which protected the rights to the original composition.
Khan’s response to the setback has been resilient. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, he expressed gratitude to his fans from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. He announced plans for multiple new projects, including a sequel to “Bado Badi” featuring a new model and a movie titled “Sabaq.”
“Many people are ready to work with me now. Thank you, everyone,” Khan shared, demonstrating his determination to continue his musical journey despite the challenges.
