Original Singer Criticizes Composer Praises Chunnari Remake

The release of a recreated version of the iconic 1999 song "Chunnari Chunnari" has sparked a sharp debate, drawing contrasting reactions from its original creators. The new track features in the upcoming romantic comedy "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai," starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde.

The original singer, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, has strongly criticized the remake. In an interview, he stated he was not approached by the film's makers and expressed disappointment with the new version, which he described as sounding like a devotional hymn, or bhajan, compared to the original romantic track. He defended the legacy of the song, calling it one of the biggest hits of Salman Khan's career, who starred in the original sequence from the film "Biwi No. 1."

Bhattacharya also directed criticism at actor Varun Dhawan, suggesting the actor primarily works in what he termed "secondhand" films, especially those directed by his father, David Dhawan, who also directed the original "Biwi No. 1." He stated there is a significant difference between the two actors and that Dhawan cannot become Salman Khan by recreating his songs.

In stark contrast, the song's original composer, Anu...