Tag: Kriti Sanon

Music

International Producer KMKZ Accuses T-Series of Plagiarizing His Beat in Hit Song Raanjhan

Tanisha Cardozo

A major controversy has erupted in the Indian music scene as international music producer KMKZ has come forward with serious allegations against India’s largest music label, T-Series. According to KMKZ, his original beat was used without permission, credit, or payment in the hit song Raanjhan, featured in the OTT film Do Patti starring Kriti Sanon and Kajol.

In a video posted to his Instagram, KMKZ detailed how he discovered the alleged plagiarism. He explained that he had uploaded the beat online nearly two years ago, and it was recently brought to his attention by a follower who recognized the beat in Raanjhan. After listening to the track himself, KMKZ said he was shocked to hear the similarity. The song, which has been composed by the well-known Bollywood duo Sachet-Parampara and sung by Parampara Tandon, has amassed over 290 million streams on Spotify and more than 33 crore views on YouTube, making it one of the most popular Indian tracks in recent months.

What makes the claim more significant is KMKZ’s assertion that he had absolutely no knowledge of the beat being used until it was flagged by a listener. “I produced the number one song in India and didn’t even know about it,” he said. “They pretty much just ripped the beat off of YouTube and didn’t contact me or pay me or credit me or anything.” He also shared that he made several attempts to contact T-Series and other involved parties via email, but received no response.

The song Raanjhan is part of Do Patti, a suspenseful thriller released on OTT platforms in November 2024. Directed by Shashanka Chaturvedi, the film features Kajol and Kriti Sanon as twin sisters hiding dark secrets, alongside Shaheer Sheikh and Tanvi Azmi. The emotional and haunting soundtrack played a key role in the film’s appeal, making the allegations even more serious.

Adding to the controversy, this isn’t the first time T-Series and Sachet-Parampara have faced such accusations. In 2024, musician Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar accused the same team of plagiarizing her husband Rajarshi Mitter’s composition for the song Maiyya, also featured in Do Patti.

KMKZ is now seeking public acknowledgment and justice. In his Instagram post, he made a direct request to his followers: “If anyone knows anyone who can help me out with this in some way then please get this video to them and have them DM me asap! And please leave a comment on this video and share it so it can reach the right people.” He concluded with a clear message: “There’s so many stories of producers getting ripped off nowadays but man 300 million streams and number 1 on Billboard is crazy. I DEMAND A PLAQUE.”

The video has since gone viral, with growing support from independent musicians and creators online, sparking a larger conversation about intellectual property, music ownership, and fair recognition in the industry. As the story gains momentum, all eyes are now on T-Series and how they respond.

Personal Grooming

HYPHEN Crosses ₹400 Cr in Gross ARR in Just Two Years, Defining New Milestone in India’s D2C Beauty Space

Tanisha Cardozo

Mumbai, July 31, 2025 – In a bold display of consumer-led growth and business execution, HYPHEN, the D2C beauty and personal care brand co-founded by actor Kriti Sanon and Pep Brands, has reported ₹400 crore in gross annual recurring revenue (ARR) at the end of its second year.

The brand added ₹300 crore in the past 12 months alone—following an initial ₹100 crore in its debut year—placing HYPHEN among an elite group of Indian D2C brands to scale this rapidly in such a short time.

Strategic Frameworks & Execution

Tarun Sharma, Co-founder and CEO of HYPHEN, attributes the success to more than just star power. “You need to understand the consumer, create a category, and align your channels accordingly,” Sharma said. Drawing from Pep Brands’ proven playbook, HYPHEN uses a ‘three Cs’ framework—Consumer, Category, Channel—and a ‘six Ps’ strategy—Proposition, Product, Packaging, Pricing, Platform, and Promotions.

The brand also capitalized on the backend and distribution infrastructure of Sharma’s earlier success, mCaffeine, enabling it to scale swiftly across e-commerce and quick commerce.

A Brand That Listens

Unlike trend-chasing beauty labels, HYPHEN has focused on solving recurring consumer concerns with scientifically-backed and naturally formulated products. A high 60% repeat purchase rate, average ratings above 4 stars, and a 4 million-strong user base reflect how deeply it resonates with its audience.

The brand currently delivers across 19,000+ pin codes in India and aims to deepen presence in newer categories like facewash while continuing to optimize supply chains and operations.

The Role of Kriti Sanon: Co-founder & CCO

Beyond being the public face of the brand, Kriti Sanon is actively involved in product development, feedback loops, and strategic decisions. As Chief Customer Officer, she connects with 40–50 consumers monthly, helping refine product iterations based on real user experiences.

“The past two years have been nothing short of incredible,” Sanon shared. “Watching this brand grow into something trusted by millions feels surreal. We’re only just getting started—this is where we continue to hyphen skincare with innovation.”

A standout product in the brand’s portfolio has been its lip balm, which saw a surge in demand following public appearances, including at the IIFA Awards, where Sanon was seen using it.

What’s Next?

Originally targeting ₹500 crore by 2027, HYPHEN is now ahead of schedule. With the foundation in place, the brand is shifting toward steady growth, focused category expansion, and deeper consumer connection.