K-pop star Jennie, a member of the renowned group BLACKPINK, has recently come under scrutiny following the release of a teaser for her upcoming single, "Like Jennie." Fans and critics alike have pointed out striking resemblances between Jennie's new track and the "Rani Theme" from the Bollywood film "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani," leading to allegations of plagiarism.

Jennie unveiled a nine-second teaser of "Like Jennie," which is set to release on March 7. Shortly after, social media platforms buzzed with comparisons between her teaser and the "Rani Theme," composed by Pritam for the 2023 film starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh. Listeners noted similarities in the beats, hook, and overall melody of both tracks. 

An X (formerly Twitter) user highlighted the resemblance by juxtaposing the two tracks, stating, "The copy paste (crying emoji) she's shameless." Another commented, "This is the same song, even the vocals are similar.

Diverse Reactions from Netizens

The allegations have sparked a range of reactions online:​

Criticism of Jennie: Some users expressed disappointment, with one remarking, “I cannot believe Jennie is plagiarizing Pritam, out of all. Bollywood out of all.”

Defense of Jennie: Others defended the K-pop artist, pointing out Pritam's history with plagiarism accusations. One fan argued that Pritam might have sampled an international song without proper credits, suggesting Jennie would provide appropriate sampling credits. 

Racist Remarks Against Alia Bhatt: The controversy took an unfortunate turn when some BLACKPINK fans directed racist comments toward Alia Bhatt. One such comment read, "No one knows this, Khia, except for the fact that your country is the dirtiest in the world, lmao." ​

Broader Implications

This incident has ignited discussions about cultural appropriation, originality in music, and the responsibilities of global artists. As the debate continues, it underscores the importance of acknowledging influences and ensuring transparency in the creative process.​

As of now, neither Jennie nor her management has issued an official statement regarding these allegations. Fans and critics alike await further clarification as the release date of "Like Jennie" approaches.