Abhijeet Slams 'Chunnari Chunnari' Remake: Varun Can't Be Salman!

Top Summary

• What happened: Abhijeet Bhattacharya, the original singer of 'Chunnari Chunnari,' has strongly criticized the remake featuring Varun Dhawan, calling it a 'bhajan.'
• Why it matters: The remake of iconic Bollywood songs often faces scrutiny, and Abhijeet's comments highlight the challenge of recreating the magic of the original.
• What changes for people: It sparks a debate about the value and impact of remaking classic songs versus creating original content.
• Who is affected: Varun Dhawan, the makers of 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai,' and fans of the original song are affected by the criticism.

Abhijeet's Critique

Abhijeet Bhattacharya, the voice behind the original 1999 hit song 'Chunnari Chunnari' from Biwi No. 1, has expressed his displeasure with the reprised version.

The remake features Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur in the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.

He described the new version as a "bhajan" during an interview with ANI, contrasting it with the original romantic feel.

Varun Dhawan Under Fire

Abhijeet stated that Varun Dhawan cannot replicate Salman Khan's charisma.

 

"Varun Dhawan iss gaane se Salman Khan nahi ban sakta (Varun Dhawan can't become Salman Khan by doing my songs). There is a big difference between Salman Khan and Varun Dhawan."

 

He also criticized Varun for frequently starring in remakes, particularly those directed by his father, David Dhawan.

Lack of Communication

Abhijeet revealed that the makers of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai did not approach him before recreating the song.

The original song was a collaboration between Abhijeet and Anuradha Sriram.

The new version features vocals by IP Singh, Jonita Gandhi, Asees Kaur, and Sudhir Yaduvanshi.

 

"If they had approached me for the remake, I would still have rethought before doing it. My original version had a lot of acting. I am very happy that I didn't do the song because it would have been degraded."

 

The Original's Legacy

Abhijeet emphasized the original song's enduring popularity and its significance in Salman Khan's career.

 

"Yeh gaana Salman ki life ka biggest song tha. Jab aayi thi, tab se ab tak trending hai. Salman Khan ki life ka sabse bada hit hai 'Chunnari Chunnari'. Uss waqt ek rising star tha, not a superstar. (This was the biggest song of Salman Khan. Ever since it came out, the song has been trending to date)."

 

Online reactions echoed Abhijeet's sentiments, with many calling the remake bland and lacking the nuance of the original.

About 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'

The film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is slated for a June 4 release.

The trailer shows Varun Dhawan's character wanting a child and his involvement with two women played by Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde.

The film also stars Maniesh Paul, Chunky Pandey, and Jimmy Sheirgill.

The title is derived from a song from David Dhawan's 1999 film Biwi No. 1, which starred Karisma Kapoor, Salman Khan, and Sushmita Sen.

What to Watch Next

The film's release on June 4 will reveal if the controversy surrounding the 'Chunnari Chunnari' remake impacts its reception. It will be interesting to see how audiences respond to the film's humor and storyline amidst the ongoing debate about remakes.