The newly unveiled recreation of the iconic 90s track ‘Chunnari Chunnari’ has set the internet on fire — but not everyone is loving it. As part of the upcoming Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde-starrer ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’, the remix has sparked a wave of criticism, a legal battle over rights, and most notably, the disapproval of original singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya. Now, the creators of the remix, Akshay Raheja and IP Singh, have finally spoken out.
The Backlash From The Original Singer
Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who lent his voice to the original ‘Chunnari Chunnari’ back in the 90s, did not hold back his disappointment with the new version. While the exact specifics of his criticism remain under wraps, industry insiders confirm he was unhappy with how the classic was reimagined. The original track, composed by Anu Malik and written by Sameer, holds a nostalgic place in the hearts of many, so the pushback was perhaps expected. Adding to the heat, a legal dispute over the song’s rights has also been making headlines, though details are still emerging.
The duo behind the remake, however, chose to respond with grace rather than fire. In a recent interaction, they acknowledged the veteran singer’s concerns while staying focused on the positives.
Akshay Raheja And IP Singh React
Speaking about the controversy, Akshay Raheja and IP Singh made it clear they hold nothing but respect for Abhijeet. “He’s a legend,” they shared, adding that they have grown up listening to his songs and hope he eventually gives them his blessings. “We are kids trying to do something here,” they said, emphasizing their admiration for the veteran. IP Singh elaborated on the subjective nature of art: “Some people will like it, some people won’t. We worked on it with our whole hearts, trying to honour the essence of the song.” The team also pointed to endorsements from industry veterans like Anu Malik and Sameer, which they consider a strong validation of their work.
Despite the mixed reactions, the creators remain unfazed. They believe that after the initial shock wears off, even the skeptics might come around. “After a week, maybe they also start to like it,” IP Singh added optimistically.
The Film And Its Music
Directed by David Dhawan, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ is one of the most anticipated Bollywood releases of next year. The film stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde in lead roles, and is set to hit theatres on June 5, 2026. The ‘Chunnari Chunnari’ remake is just one of the many tracks from the film’s soundtrack, which has already generated significant buzz. While the legal dispute over the song’s rights continues, the creators are choosing to focus on the love they’ve received from fans and industry peers. Akshay Raheja summed it up best: “We are mostly grateful and focusing on the positives.”