When Sony Music India released the remixed version of "Humma Humma" from the upcoming Bollywood movie "Ok Jaanu" on YouTube last week, it was described by the makers as the "The Foot Tapping Song of 2016".
However, fans of the original song, a classic composed by Oscar winner AR Rahman for Mani Ratnam's 1995 hit film "Bombay", were anything but impressed and criticised the remake composers, Badshah and Tanishk Bagchi, for "ruining" the song.
"OK Jaanu", starring Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur, is an official remake of Mani Ratnam's Tamil film "Ok Kanmani", which revolves around a young couple in a live-in relationship. Several fans, mostly from South India, pointed out that the Hindi remake didn't have the same chemistry as "OK Kanmani" did.
"Humma Humma" appears in place of the "Parandhu Sellava" number from "OK Kanmani- it occurs in the segment when the two friends end up staying a night together at a hotel.
Composer Tanishk Bagchi has now spoken up about the reactions that the song has generated and said that while they were anticipating this kind of feedback, he was initially a "tad sceptical about touching a Rahman song".
Speaking to News18.com, Bagchi said, "We had anticipated the reactions that would come after the song, to be honest. So, all of us knew what we were getting into. When I was first briefed about it, I was scared. I have been a huge fan of AR Rahmanji all my life and didn’t want to touch his song."
Bagchi, who is known for popular compositions like “Banno Tera Swagger”, which features in “Tanu Weds Manu 2” and “Bolna” in “Kapoor & Sons”, also defended Badshah's rap in the song stating, "We had the option of not including the rap also, but later thought the inclusion would give the song a contemporary twist."
Recently, the original singer of the song, Remo Fernandez, had also slammed the new version calling it a "pale, insipid version of the original".
"There is nothing wrong in doing new versions of existing songs, as long as one brings something new to the table. It can be something plus, or at least something different. This version of ‘Humma Humma’, I am afraid, brings neither. It is but a pale, insipid version of the original. Vocally, instrumentally and arrangements-wise, it seems to be a hurried, uninspired job," Fernandez told mid-day.
Reacting to the comments, Bagchi told Hindustan Times, "How will you like if someone comes and starts painting your house with a different colour? Obviously, you won’t be happy with it. It’s the same case with him as well. I think he is right in criticising the song. It was originally sung by him, so it’s quite natural for him to be upset with it."
Directed by Shaad Ali under the Dharma Productions banner, "Ok Jaanu" is slated for a January 13 release.