The release of the new Chunnari Chunnari in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai has split opinions faster than you can say ‘item number’. While fans are loving the Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde track, original singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya wasn’t too impressed. Now, the composers behind the remake have finally spoken up — and they’re taking the high road, yaar.
Akshay Raheja and IP Singh, who recreated the iconic song for David Dhawan’s upcoming rom-com, say they’re not bothered by the hate. In fact, they’re focused on the love from the original creators themselves.
A Reimagination, Not A Remix
IP Singh was quick to clarify that their version is a “reimagination and not a remix”. According to the composer, the most important thing for them is the approval of the song’s original makers — Anu Malik and Sameer. “We are getting a lot of love and not just that, for us the blessings of Anu Malik sir, Sameer sir, the original creators is what matters the most to us. So we are just over the moon about it,” IP told industry sources.
The duo described presenting the track to a new generation as a ‘responsibility’. They blended the original sounds with a contemporary vibe while also giving a platform to fresh talent. And if wedding DJs are already spinning it barely a week after release, they seem to have hit the mark on the dance floor.
Respect For The Original Singer
Abhijeet Bhattacharya’s criticism has been the loudest note of dissent. But instead of getting defensive, the creators responded with pure class. IP Singh said, “He’s a veteran and there’s only respect for him from our end. I’m sure he has his point of view, he has his experience, and he has reasons to say whatever he’s saying.” The composer added that they hope to eventually earn Bhattacharya’s blessings, calling themselves “kids trying to do something here.”
Akshay Raheja echoed the sentiment, pointing out that the original singer’s reaction comes from a deeply personal place. “He must be coming from a place, because he originally recorded this song. His expression is coming from his experience. Now, obviously, the style of music has changed and evolved,” he said. The composers aren’t taking the criticism to heart — instead, they’re keeping their eyes on the positives.
Legal Dispute? Not A Concern
The track has also gotten tangled in a legal dispute over rights, but the creators remain unfazed. “So many people are talking about it, whether they like it or not. Anything else around it, we can’t do anything about that so we don’t get perturbed by it,” IP Singh said.
With the song already making waves and the film scheduled to hit theatres on June 5, 2026, the duo seems confident that the music will do the talking. Directed by David Dhawan, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai also stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. And if the Chunnari Chunnari buzz is anything to go by, this one’s going to be a masala entertainer with plenty of chartbuster numbers.