If
‘Munni’ was about bawdy folksy numbers being the latest source of
inspiration for Bollywood, this one’ll prove that the internet is the
fastest and the most convenient source of invention and inspiration. A
song named “Australian Challa”, a YouTube sensation two years ago,
formed the basic idea of “Challa” in ” Crook – It’s Good To Be Bad”.

This original number is composed and sung by an Indian studying in
Australia, named Babbal Rai. Rai’s song was based on and dedicated to
Indian, Punjabi cab drivers in Australia, which is exactly the theme of
Crook’s ‘Challa’ number. His few-minutes-song has been adapted into an
out-and-out Bhangra track, with dhol and nagaras pumping up the pace.
More stanzas have been added to it as the original is a short one, and
the track’s singers are Babbu Mann and Suzane D’Mello, and the music
director is Pritam, as stated in the film’s official CD.

What
makes the genesis of Crook’s “Challa” track clear is the day and date
(March 10, 2008) “Australian Challa” was uploaded online. It created
quite a buzz, after which Babbal, with his friends, made “Australian
Challa 2″ on March 31, 2008, followed by “Australian Challa 3″ on
September 29, the same year. Rai’s Challa, however, is also inspired
from the Punjabi folk track by the same name, that has been sung years
ago by various singers – Inayat Ali, Shaukat Ali and Gurdas Mann.

Babbal Rai (original name Simranjeet Singh Rai) was pursuing a course
in community welfare in Australia. Two years ago, on his birthday, this
song that he sung casually with friends, and uploaded online, changed
his life. Post his “Australian Challa” fame, he recorded many albums
and songs, including “Aine Jogi Hai Ni”. Sometime later, Rai found out
that the latter had been lifted by Punjabi pop singer Preet Brar and
also filed a case against him. But he’s making no bones about his song
being featured in “Crook” as he has been given some credit for it.

Two days ahead of the official music release of “Crook”, a fan uploaded
“Babbu Mann Challa Crook” on Rai’s official web page (as this song was
available online). Minutes later multiple comments followed – ‘How is
Babbu singing this song?’ ‘This clearly indicates that “Babbu Mann
Challa” is a copy of “Babbal Rai Australian Challa” and ‘At least they
should give Babbal’s name in the credits’. But Rai didn’t reply to
comments. When such comments multiplied, he uploaded the song himself,
this time the song had his credit. But no credit has been given to him
in the official music CD of the film. On September 21, Rai uploaded a
separate version of the “Challa” track on his official page with a
message –’This song is in the music CD of “Crook” as a bonus track. May
be you will miss it in some CDs as they were made before our
agreement.’

‘Australian CHALLA’ lyrics

It begins with an intro explaining that this song is based on Indians
(especially male cab drivers) who come to Australia and the work they
do there.
Lo ji mitro, pesh karan ja reyaan Australian Challa –
Australian de vich aaye hue Gabru jo-jo kam kardeyaan, te jo-jo unha de
beetdi ai, udde tey ek taaja tareem nagma pesh hai…

*Song: Oh Challa Taxi Chalaunda, Ni Challa Taxi Chalaunda
Bhai 6-6 Raatan Ni Sounda, Bhi Dollar Mote Banaunda
Bi Gal Sun Chaliya
Cabbiyaan Kyun Hoya Gaddi Da Kehendiyaan
Haye!
Tadan Na Tadan Da Tadaan Na Na
(*This para is in Crook’s Challa)
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Read more: ‘Challa’ inspiration for Crook – The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Cha