Veteran playback singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, known for his golden voice and timeless Bollywood hits, has strongly reacted to the remake of his iconic song Chunari Chunari in the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The track, originally picturised on Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen in the 1999 hit Biwi No. 1, remains etched in the memory of 90s music lovers for its infectious energy, catchy rhythm, and of course, Abhijeet’s spirited vocals.
Now, with a modern version of the song appearing in a new-age romantic drama, the singer hasn’t held back in expressing his disappointment. In a candid statement, Abhijeet remarked, “Unke paas woh aukaat nahi hai. Woh himmat bhi nahi kar sakte original jaise gaane ko recreate karne ki. Yeh bas ek copy hai, aur woh bhi bejaan.” (They don’t have the standing or courage to truly recreate a song like the original. This is just a lifeless copy.)
The new version of Chunari Chunari, remixed with contemporary beats and an EDM twist, was recently unveiled online and quickly began trending — not necessarily for the right reasons. While some younger audiences found the track “peppy,” a majority of music aficionados and fans of the original were quick to express their discontent, calling it a “disservice” to the classic.
Abhijeet, known for speaking his mind, added that the remake industry in Bollywood is growing increasingly lazy. “Instead of creating fresh melodies, they keep going back to our songs — not because they want to pay tribute, but because they’re banking on nostalgia to cover up lack of creativity. If you can’t bring new soul into the song, then don’t touch it.”
The original Chunari Chunari was composed by music maestro Anu Malik, with lyrics by Sameer. It became one of the defining songs of its era, loved not just for its upbeat tempo but also for its vibrant visual treatment. Abhijeet’s voice played a massive role in the song’s popularity, cementing it as one of the most celebrated tracks of the 90s.
Reflecting on that era, Abhijeet said, “There was an energy, a spirit to our songs. We lived every beat, every word. The music back then had character. It wasn’t just about bass and beats — it was about emotion. Today, they just take the hook line and throw in loud drums. That’s not music, that’s noise.”
He also pointed out that there is a pattern to such remakes — and it rarely includes acknowledging the original creators. “The least they can do is show some respect. Credit the original team properly, involve the original voices, or at least understand what made the song click in the first place.”
Many fans have echoed Abhijeet’s sentiments on social media, with comments like, “This new Chunari Chunari is an insult to the original,” and “Why can’t Bollywood just stop remaking classics and give us new music?”
Despite the controversy, the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai have stood by their creative decision, claiming the remake is a “modern tribute” to the golden era of music and meant to reintroduce iconic tunes to a younger audience. However, that defense hasn’t done much to pacify those, like Abhijeet, who feel Bollywood’s musical past deserves more reverence.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear — classics like Chunari Chunari are more than just songs. They are memories, milestones, and emotional time capsules for an entire generation. And for artists like Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who poured their soul into these creations, seeing them remixed without heart or purpose is not just disappointing — it’s personal.
