Writ petition filed in High Court seeking cancellation of singer Konal’s National Film Award
A writ petition has been filed in the High Court seeking cancellation of the National Film Award received by singer Somnur Monir Konal for singing the song “Tumi Amar Jibon, Ami Tomar Jibon” from the movie “Bir” starring actor Shakib Khan.
Supreme Court Advocate Khan Ziaur Rahman filed the writ petition on Monday (March 7) on behalf of Sheikh Shamim, a member of the Film Artists’ Association, at the relevant branch of the High Court. The writ petition has been filed by the concerned persons including the Ministry of Information and the Jury Board.
Khan Ziaur Rahman, the lawyer who filed the complaint, said that the controversy and criticism over the song started after the name of Konal was published in the notification of the Ministry of Information. Several media and netizens are vocal about this.
The movie ‘Bir’ starring Shakib Khan was released in 2020. Popular singer Konal won the National Film Award for the first time as the best female vocalist for her song titled ‘Bhalobasar Manush Tumi’. However, after the release of the song of this movie, there was controversy and criticism about it. An old popular song ‘Tumi Amar Jibon, Ami Tomar Jibon’ was used in the movie ‘Bir’ without the permission.
Concertgoers say an old popular song line, “Tumi Amar Jibon, Ami Tomar Jibon” has been used as a bridge line to Konal’s song without permission, in violation of copyright law. With the national recognition of such songs, the copyright law and its creator have also been downplayed. At the same time, the use of other people’s songs without permission is also encouraged.
The song ‘Tumi Amar Jibon, Ami Tomar Jibon’ from the movie ‘Abujh Hridoy’ released in 1989 became very popular. Runa Laila and Andrew Kishore sang the song written and composed by Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul.
Konal’s award cancel demand
Distinguished director Delwar Jahan Jhantu has raised questions about Konal receiving the award. He said in a video message that perfect people are never hired for the National Film Awards. I have seen it so far. In my opinion, there will be two photographers on the jury who will judge cinematography and two good music directors who understand music well and have an idea about the songs of that subcontinent. If there should be two good lyricists then the issue of awarding is determined correctly. Lyricist and composer Ahmed Imtiaz Bulbul hit song “Tumi Amar Jibon Tumi Amar Maran”. The melody and lyrics of this song used in Bir movie are fake. Konal won the National Film Award for his use of this song in the movie Bir. How to get a national award? He also said that if two lines or one line of a song carry the same meaning, then the song is no longer original. For example, suppose I know Rabindranath, I know you, Ogo foreigner. If I insert this one line in another song, then everyone will say that it is a song written by Rabindranath.
