Why is Bollywood remixing so many of its classic songs?

It was the early 2000s when most of us stumbled upon a rendition of Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle's Chor Do Aanchal, that too by Bombay Vikings. That led to us being subjected to a dozen other revamped versions of Bollywood classics, including hits such as Kaanta Laga, Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar, Pardesia and many more.

The very same trend has, fortunately or unfortunately, returned. Many recent Bollywood films feature classic Indian and Pakistani songs.

PHOTO: HINDUSTAN TIMES

But why? Why are so many composers reverting to old material and ruining some of the best music we have ever produced? Is there such a lack of originality now?

Interestingly enough, many of these composers (perhaps to make themselves feel better about stealing ideas) tend to change some of the lyrics of the songs as well.

“I don’t understand why they change the lyrics because at the end of the day, people are listening to it only for that mukhda (bridge) which was so popular. I can understand if you redo the music with the modern sound and all, that is fine. But, changing the chorus is like there are two songs in one!” singer Shibani Kashyap, told The Indian Express.

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Playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan, who recently sang the rendition of Noor Jehan's Mohabbat for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Fanney Khan, told the publication, “If you are going to retain just one line and the rest of it is new, then you just might do a good original song. Why do you mix it? Then it is not here, not there; it is a mixed feeling."

Sunidhi added, “I will be happier if we give the listeners original music because it can never get the kind of recognition, the original stuff got. And that way, we are also discouraging new people who are working so hard to make original melodies. All the remixes sound the same, unfortunately. So, I am okay with songs being recreated, but it should be in the right manner and the right taste.”

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“The audience only listens to what is served to them. Therefore, the responsibility lies on the shoulders of the people who are either creating or recreating music,” remarked renowned musician Sonu Nigam.

Sunidhi and Sonu have lent their voices to Fanney Khan, in which the music of Mohammad Rafi and Shammi Kapoor plays an important part. Its songs Badan Pe Sitare and Halka Halka fit in this category.

Sonu said, “I have some Rafi Sahab songs in Fanney Khan, but that was at a very special request from Anil Kapoor. There is a situation of genuine justification and the best part is the original form of the song hasn’t been tampered with.”

So will Sunidhi croon a remix for personal happiness or for professional gains? “That’s what is happening 50% of the time. Obviously, I will not refuse. But if they are asking for my happiness then I will be like, ‘I am okay, but I am not kicked about it’,” she responded.

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