The recently released trailer and "Inside Look" video for the Hollywood film The Lost Bus, starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, has ignited a controversy among Indian film enthusiasts. Many fans are claiming that the background score used in the film bears a striking resemblance to the music from the 2023 Telugu blockbuster Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, starring Prabhas.
The Lost Bus, directed by Paul Greengrass, tells the true story of a school bus driver, Kevin McKay (played by McConaughey), and a dedicated teacher, Mary Ludwig (played by Ferrera), who heroically saved 22 children from the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California. The film premiered on Apple TV+ on October 3, 2025, and has been receiving generally favorable reviews. Critics have praised the film's visual effects and the performances of McConaughey and Ferrera.
However, the positive buzz surrounding the film has been somewhat overshadowed by allegations of music plagiarism. According to numerous reports, fans were quick to point out the similarities between the background score in The Lost Bus trailer and the original soundtrack of Salaar, composed by Ravi Basrur. The disputed music appears around the 1:10 mark in The Lost Bus trailer.
Social media platforms have been flooded with comments and comparisons, with many users expressing their surprise and disappointment. One user commented on the trailer, "Listen to the background music from 1:13, it's the same Salaar BGM". Another user asked, "Did anyone else hear Salaar bgm in this or just me??". Some fans have even called for legal action against Apple TV+ and the makers of The Lost Bus.
The controversy has sparked a broader discussion about intellectual property and originality in the global film industry. Some fans have pointed out the irony of the situation, noting that Indian composers are often accused of copying Hollywood music, but this appears to be a case of the reverse. One fan commented, "You've seen Indian music directors copying Hollywood background music (BGM). But for the first time, Hollywood music directors have stolen the BGM from the Indian movie Salaar".
While some listeners are convinced that the scores are nearly identical, others believe the resemblance is only partial. Regardless, the incident highlights the increasing global crossover of regional cinema's creative assets and the need for greater vigilance in music licensing and originality checks.
Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire, directed by Prashanth Neel, is a Telugu-language action thriller film starring Prabhas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film is set in the fictional dystopian city-state of Khansaar and tells the story of two friends who turn into enemies. Salaar was a major commercial success, and Ravi Basrur's background score was widely praised. A sequel, Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam, is slated to release on November 14, 2025.
As of now, neither Hombale Films (the production house behind Salaar) nor Apple TV+ has issued an official statement regarding the controversy. It remains to be seen whether any legal action will be taken. In the meantime, the debate continues to rage on social media, raising important questions about music plagiarism and cross-cultural influences in the entertainment industry.
