Choreographer Remo D’Souza Faces Dance Plagiarism Allegations Over ‘Laal Pari’ Song

June 10, 2025 | Mumbai In an unexpected revelation ahead of Housefull 5, renowned choreographer and director Remo D’Souza has come under scrutiny after a content creator accused him of plagiarising dance choreography in the films newly released hit song ‘Laal Pari’.

This allegation surfaced on Monday when a digital creator and dance influencer, Rhea Malhotra, known for her viral fusion dance reels on Instagram and YouTube, claimed that a significant portion of the choreography in Laal Pari resembles her original routine, which was posted in October 2023. She alleged that her work was replicated without permission or credit. She shared side-by-side comparison videos showing similarities between her routine and the one featured in the song.

In a post on social media paform X (formerly Twitter), Malhotra wrote:

“While I’m flattered to see my choreography on the big screen, I was never contacted or credited. This is not inspiration—this is replication.”

The song Laal Pari, by lead actors Akshay Kumar, Kriti Sanon, and Jacqueline Fernandez, released last week has already gained spotlight over its massive sets and style-of-perfection dance steps. However, the plagiarism controversy had a shadow cast over its viral success.

Remo D’Souza, who has choreographed for a few of Bollywood’s highest-grossing films and also judged several dance reality shows, has so far not released an official statement on the allegations. People close to the production indicate that the producers weren’t aware of any alleged infringement and are taking the issue internally into consideration.

Meanwhile, the fans and followers of Malhotra have taken to social media and rallied behind her, utilizing the hashtags #CreditCreators and #DanceWithIntegrity and demanding accountability from the production team that works on films. Industry insiders have also chipped in with the view that the line between inspiration and imitation has grown very thin because of the age of digital content, and large productions need to exercise due diligence.

Housefull 5 is going to be an upcoming release in Diwali 2025, to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. A multi-starrer comedy is one of the most awaited movies this year, but this controversy can put a spotlight on the ethics of choreography credit in mainstream cinema.

Legal experts note that while copyright for dance routines can be complex and hard to litigate in India, cases like this may prompt the industry to develop more robust systems for crediting and compensating digital artists.

So far, Remo D’Souza and the makers of Housefull 5 have not responded to the allegations.

As the issue continues to unfold, creators and choreographers across platforms are watching closely, hoping that this incident sparks a larger conversation around ownership, originality, and respect for creative labor in the entertainment industry. Keep reading Celewood.in for more news.