Bollywood music is experiencing a remix renaissance. Turn on the radio or browse a music app today, and you’ll likely hear a familiar old melody revamped with modern beats. Classic hits like “Humma Humma” or “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” have reappeared in new films, sparking both excitement and debate. Listeners sway to these remixed tunes at parties, yet many also ask: is Bollywood riding on nostalgia because it sells, or is it simply out of fresh ideas? This deep dive explores the trend of Bollywood remixes, from early 2000s DJ mash-ups to the latest film track recreations, analyzing why these old hits keep returning, how audiences and critics are reacting, and what it means for creativity in the industry.
Contents
- A Look Back at Bollywood’s Remix Culture
- The New Wave of Remixes in Mainstream Bollywood
- Why Do Old Songs Get Remixed?
- The Creativity Question: Trend or Troubling Sign?
- Audience Reception: Applause, Criticism, and Comparisons
- Original vs Remix: A Side-by-Side Comparison
- The Road Ahead: Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation
A Look Back at Bollywood’s Remix Culture
Remixing old Bollywood songs isn’t entirely new. As far back as the late 1990s and early 2000s, India saw a surge of remix albums produced by DJs and indie music labels. Popular DJs like DJ Suketu, DJ Aqeel, and Bally Sagoo took classic Hindi songs from the ’70s and ’80s and gave them a club-friendly twist. These remixes, often released with flashy music videos, turned songs like “Kaanta Laga” and “Bin Tere Sanam” into overnight sensations for a new generation. Back then, this trend was largely outside mainstream films, remixes were usually independent hits played on music channels and in nightclubs. They were fun and full of nostalgia, though purists often looked down on them as gimmicky. DJ Suketu himself noted that what DJs started in the ’90s as remixes (once dismissed by many) has now become “recreations” in Bollywood, enjoying much bigger acceptance. In other words, the remix culture has evolved from a niche trend into a major Bollywood obsession.
Bollywood filmmakers did occasionally flirt with remixes in the 2000s, but sparingly. For example, 2003’s Jhankaar Beats paid tribute to R.D. Burman’s classics (though mostly as covers), and in 2006 the new Don film reimagined the old hit “Khaike Paan Banaraswala.” However, these were exceptions rather than the rule. For a long time, film music relied mostly on original compositions. The real resurgence of remixes in Bollywood soundtracks took off in the mid-2010s. Since then, the industry has been remixing old hits at an unprecedented rate, making it almost standard for big movie albums to feature at least one revamped classic.
The New Wave of Remixes in Mainstream Bollywood
From around 2015 onward, Bollywood’s biggest films began heavily mining past musical gems. This new wave of remixes is marked by high production values and star-studded music videos, fully integrated into movie storylines and promotion. It kicked into gear with tracks like “Laila Main Laila” in Raees (2017) – a modern take on a 1980 classic – and “Tamma Tamma Again” in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017), which reinvented a 1990 dance hit. By the late 2010s, remix fever had truly gripped Bollywood: nearly every other film released featured a “recreated” retro song.
Take the example of “The Humma Song” from Ok Jaanu (2017). This catchy remix brought back A.R. Rahman’s 1995 hit “Humma Humma” with new hip-hop beats and a rap verse. Young singers Jubin Nautiyal and Shashaa Tirupati lent their voices, while rapper Badshah added a fresh verse. The song’s trendy music video, with modern choreography, helped it top the charts. In the same year, Machine (2017) reintroduced the ’90s flirtatious number “Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast” with a new rendition sung partly by the original singer, Udit Narayan. And who can forget “Suit Suit” in Hindi Medium (2017)? Although not a decades-old classic (the original Punjabi pop song was from 2016), its inclusion signaled that even recent hits could be repackaged to boost a film’s appeal.
You May Also Like to Read
Soon, the floodgates opened. In 2018-2019, Bollywood fans saw an array of old favorites remixed: “Dilbar” (from 1999, remade in Satyameva Jayate), “Aankh Marey” (from 1996, remade in Simmba), “Ek Do Teen” (the 1988 Madhuri Dixit classic, remade in Baaghi 2), “Mungda” (the 1970s cabaret hit, remade in Total Dhamaal), and “Chamma Chamma” (from 1998, remade in Fraud Saiyaan), just to name a few. Even iconic evergreen songs weren’t off-limits: Tumhari Sulu (2017) featured “Hawa Hawai 2.0,” a tribute to Sridevi’s 1987 number, and Baadshaho (2017) revved up the qawwali “Mere Rashke Qamar.” By the time Sooryavanshi (2021) came along with a revamped “Tip Tip Barsa Paani,” it was clear that remixing old hits had become more of a norm than a novelty.
This trend has carried into the 2020s as well. Recent films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) opened with a new version of its predecessor’s title track, and An Action Hero (2022) gave us an updated “Aap Jaisa Koi” (originally a hit from 1980). The music composer Tanishk Bagchi has become particularly famous (or infamous) as the go-to “King of Remixes,” spearheading many of these recreations. From “Dilbar” to “Aankh Marey” to “Tip Tip,” Tanishk and a few other producers have been churning out remake after remake. Their formula usually involves keeping the recognizable hook line and chorus, while rewriting verses and layering on contemporary production. The result: old wine in a shiny new bottle, served repeatedly to a willing audience.
Why Do Old Songs Get Remixed?
What’s driving Bollywood to keep remaking old hit songs? There are several motivations, and nostalgia is a big one. Nostalgia is a powerful force; hearing a beloved song from one’s youth can instantly trigger happy memories. Filmmakers and music labels understand this emotional pull. By including a familiar classic in a new movie, they tap into the audience’s collective memory and affection. For older listeners, it’s a trip down memory lane to hear “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” or “Humma Humma” again, albeit with a new twist. For younger listeners who might not know the original, a remix provides a catchy introduction to a timeless tune. In both cases, the song comes with built-in name recognition. Essentially, a remix piggybacks on the proven popularity of an earlier hit, it’s like bringing an established brand into a film’s soundtrack.
Another reason is the sheer marketability of remixed songs. In the age of YouTube and streaming, music is a crucial promotional tool for movies. A remix of a classic track often garners instant attention online. Fans are curious to see how an iconic song has been reimagined, whether out of genuine interest or even skepticism. This curiosity translates into clicks, shares, and discussions on social media. For example, when the new “Dilbar” was released with a glamorous music video featuring dancer Nora Fatehi, it quickly went viral. The song’s foot-tapping beats and nostalgia factor helped it cross hundreds of millions of views, ultimately crossing the billion-view mark on YouTube. Such numbers are a marketing dream for any film song. A popular remix can significantly boost a movie’s visibility prior to release.
Behind the scenes, there’s also a strategic business angle. Major music companies like T-Series (which owns a huge catalog of old film songs) actively push recreations of those songs. From a business perspective, it makes sense: the label already owns the rights to an old hit, so why not recycle that IP (intellectual property) for a new revenue stream? It’s often cheaper and quicker to “update” an existing melody than to develop a completely new hit from scratch. Producers know that an old favorite, if spruced up correctly, has a high chance of becoming a hit again, offering a safer return on investment. In a way, it’s a risk-averse formula. Rather than gambling on entirely new tunes (which may or may not catch on), using a song that has stood the test of time feels like a safer bet.
Bollywood is also riding a broader wave of remakes and reboots in entertainment. Just as filmmakers remake classic movies or adapt proven stories, music producers remake songs that are already known to work. Listeners today have shorter attention spans and countless options, so hooking them quickly is key. A familiar melody can hook an audience in seconds. Add to that fresh beats and trending singers, and you have a product that merges retro charm with modern style. As Bhushan Kumar of T-Series once explained, “Today’s listeners want to listen to recreations.” In his view, the young generation enjoys these revamped tracks and often even goes back to discover the original song out of curiosity. For him, as a music producer, remixes are simply giving people what they like, and as long as they like it, he sees no reason to stop.
The Creativity Question: Trend or Troubling Sign?
Not everyone is pleased with this remix overload. Critics often argue that the prevalence of remixed songs points to a creative slump in Bollywood music. Where are the new melodies and original anthems, they ask, if every other hit is a recycled tune from decades past? It’s a sharp contrast to earlier eras when each film tried to offer a unique soundtrack with fresh songs. The remix trend, say skeptics, reveals a lack of confidence among producers and music companies in new talent and new compositions. By leaning on older hits, the industry might be playing it too safe and stifling innovation.
Some industry insiders have voiced concerns as well. Prominent composers like Pritam and A.R. Rahman have at times hinted at frustration with the remix culture. In one notable instance, Pritam walked away from a film (Raabta, 2017) because the producers insisted on inserting a remixed song for marketing. He felt it didn’t fit and didn’t want his album to include a remake just for the sake of promotion. This incident became a talking point, highlighting how even top music directors felt pressure to conform to the trend. A.R. Rahman, whose classics like “Masakali” and “Muqabla” have been remixed, has openly expressed irritation at what he calls shortcuts to creativity.
He noted that apart from one recreation of his (he appreciated “The Humma Song” in Ok Jaanu), he finds most remixes of his work “disastrous and annoying.” For legendary artists like him, seeing their carefully crafted compositions altered without permission can be disheartening. Rahman even commented that you shouldn’t just reuse someone’s song years later in a new film under the guise of “reimagining” it, especially not without involving the original creators.
You May Also Like to Read
The phrase “lack of creativity” gets tossed around a lot in this debate. It’s true that churning out remixes might make the music scene feel a bit repetitive or derivative. Some listeners joke that Bollywood has become “Remake-wood” for both its films and songs. By relying too much on past hits, the industry runs the risk of not giving enough opportunities to new composers and songwriters to shine. After all, classic songs became classics because someone took a creative risk to make something new in the past. If today’s creators mostly rehash the past, what legacy will they leave for the future?
However, there’s another side to this argument. Is remixing really pure laziness, or just a trend like any other? Some defend it by saying that reinventing a song is also a form of creativity, it’s not always easy to strike the right balance between old and new in a remix. Music arranger and composer Tanishk Bagchi, often under fire for many remakes, has delivered chart-topping originals too. Supporters like singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan have pointed out that young composers often don’t have a choice: they’re assigned remixes by producers and labels.
In Shankar’s view, one shouldn’t solely blame the musician for remix culture; it’s a decision driven by producers and music companies who believe remixes are a sure-shot success formula. He even remarked that if a newcomer like Tanishk composed a great original song, there’s a chance the label might reject it and ask for an old hit to be recreated instead. This suggests the issue might be less about composers lacking talent and more about the industry’s commercial strategy steering them in that direction.
The remix phenomenon is a mix of both trend and troubling sign. It’s a trend that caters to popular taste and yields quick success. But it also reflects a creative complacency, where taking the tried-and-tested route becomes habitual. The challenge lies in not letting these shortcuts completely replace originality.
Audience Reception: Applause, Criticism, and Comparisons
How have listeners and critics reacted to this barrage of remixed songs? In one word: mixed. There’s no denying that many remixes have been wildly successful with the general audience. At weddings, clubs, and on TikTok reels, these songs are often the life of the party. For instance, the modern “Dilbar” (2018) with its fusion of Arabic flavor and a dazzling dance video became one of the biggest hits of its year, arguably even more globally recognized than its 1999 original. “Aankh Marey” (2018) quickly turned into a party staple, with its catchy “oh boy!” hook drawing in youngsters who had never heard the 1996 version. When such remixes drop, they rack up tens of millions of streams within days. A large section of the public enjoys them for what they are: high-energy, familiar-yet-new tracks that are easy to groove to.
However, alongside the popularity, there has been plenty of backlash and critique. Devoted fans of the originals often scrutinize every aspect of the remix, the vocals, the tempo, and the new lyrics, and they can be quite vocal if it doesn’t meet their expectations. Social media in the past few years has seen countless debates and memes about how certain remixes “ruined the nostalgia” or “should never have been made.” When Baaghi 2 released the new “Ek Do Teen” in 2018, many fans of the 1988 classic were horrified.
The original, immortalized by Madhuri Dixit’s performance and Alka Yagnik’s singing, was beloved for its charm. The remix’s slick music video starring Jacqueline Fernandez and its altered musical arrangement drew harsh criticism. Choreographer Saroj Khan (who created the original’s iconic dance moves) and Tezaab’s director N. Chandra both expressed disappointment, even calling the new version “crass” compared to the original. The internet quickly filled up with side-by-side video comparisons, with most viewers proclaiming Madhuri’s vintage magic unbeatable.
Another example was “Mungda” (remixed in 2019 for Total Dhamaal). The original song from the 1970s, sung by Usha Mangeshkar for actress Helen, had a kitschy charm of its era. The new version, picturized on Sonakshi Sinha, added Punjabi rap verses and a techno beat. It was pummeled with negative comments on YouTube. Even members of the legendary Mangeshkar family publicly denounced it, saying the remake lacked the soul and care of the old composition and that it felt wrong to “rip off” a classic arbitrarily. Clearly, emotions run high when a fondly remembered song is altered.
It’s not just older listeners or industry veterans who sometimes cringe at remixes; even young music lovers often compare versions and aren’t shy to call out a bad job. A recent remix, “Masakali 2.0” (a 2020 recreation of A.R. Rahman’s 2009 hit Masakali) was one such misfire. Listeners panned it for being too generic, and Rahman himself subtly suggested fans stick to the untouched original. The YouTube like-dislike ratios and comment sections for some of these songs reveal a stark divide: while the view count might be high, the sentiment can be sharply split.
On the flip side, some remixes have managed to earn a nod of approval, or at least avoid backlash, by handling the original with respect. “Tamma Tamma Again” (2017) won listeners over, perhaps because it retained much of the original’s funky vibe and even had the original singers (Bappi Lahiri and Anuradha Paudwal) involved alongside new vocals. And when Sooryavanshi (2021) brought back “Tip Tip Barsa Paani,” they chose to keep the original singers (Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik) and the core tune intact, changing only the instrumentation to sound more modern. Many fans appreciated that the essence of the 1994 classic was preserved, and seeing Akshay Kumar dancing to his own old hit with Katrina Kaif gave a sense of nostalgic continuity. The reception for “Tip Tip” was largely positive; it became a highlight of the film’s album without much controversy, proving that not every remix has to face criticism.
It appears that audience reception depends on how well the remix is executed and the emotional attachment to the original. If a remix is produced tastefully, keeping the beloved parts of the song and only enhancing or updating the rest, listeners are more forgiving or even enthusiastic. But if the new version strays too far or seems to lack the magic of the original, people are quick to reject it. In the age of social media, this feedback is immediate and impactful. Music producers are surely aware by now that while remixes can bring quick fame, they also come under intense scrutiny.
Original vs Remix: A Side-by-Side Comparison
To understand the nuances of Bollywood remixes, it’s helpful to compare some originals with their remixed versions. Below is a comparison of a few iconic songs and their modern remakes, highlighting what changed and how the public reacted:
| Song (Original) | Remixed Version | Notable Changes | Public Reaction |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Humma Humma” – Bombay (1995) Music: A.R. Rahman; Singer: Remo Fernandes (among others) | “The Humma Song” – Ok Jaanu (2017) Recreated by: Tanishk Bagchi & Badshah; Singers: Jubin Nautiyal, Shashaa Tirupati (plus rap by Badshah) | Added a rap verse and R&B groove; tempo made more dance-club friendly. Original lyrics mostly retained (hook line intact). | Mixed. The new version became trendy among youth and was a commercial hit, but some fans missed the quirky charm of Rahman’s original. AR Rahman himself felt it fit the film well, though purists found it “okay, not great.” |
| “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” – Mohra (1994) Music: Viju Shah; Singers: Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan | “Tip Tip Barsa Paani” – Sooryavanshi (2021) Recreated by: Tanishk Bagchi; Singers: Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik (original singers retained) | Modern arrangement with heavier beats; song structure and lyrics virtually unchanged. Visual remake with updated choreography. | Positive. Widely enjoyed as a nostalgic track done right. Keeping the original singers and melody earned praise. Fans loved seeing the ’90s rain song revived, and it topped charts without much controversy. |
| “Ek Do Teen” – Tezaab (1988) Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal; Singer: Alka Yagnik | “Ek Do Teen” – Baaghi 2 (2018) Recreated by: Sandeep Shirodkar; Singer: Shreya Ghoshal (feat.. rap interludes) | New upbeat orchestration; added intro rap and altered some verses. Iconic dance set reimagined with modern cinematography. | Negative. Met with heavy backlash. Comparisons favored the original’s authenticity. Many criticized the remix’s choreography and sound as “garish,” and the makers were accused of spoiling a classic. |
| “Dilbar Dilbar” – Sirf Tum (1999) Music: Nadeem-Shravan; Singer: Alka Yagnik | “Dilbar” – Satyameva Jayate (2018) Recreated by: Tanishk Bagchi; Singers: Neha Kakkar, Dhvani Bhanushali (feat.. rapper Ikka) | Significant makeover with Middle-Eastern musical elements and a faster tempo. New Arabic lyrics in parts; verses rewritten, keeping only the chorus from the original. | Very Positive. A blockbuster hit. The remix’s sultry belly dance video and catchy beats captivated listeners. It became more popular than the original, amassing over a billion views. Younger audiences embraced it, though a few missed the softness of the ’99 version. |
| “Mungda” – Inkaar (1977) Music: Rajesh Roshan; Singer: Usha Mangeshkar | “Mungda” – Total Dhamaal (2019) Recreated by: Gourov-Roshin; Singer: Jyotica Tangri (feat.. rap by Subhro Ganguly) | Converted the retro cabaret number into a high-tempo dance track with Punjabi-English rap verses. Original melody sped up and remixed with electronic beats. | Negative. Strongly criticized. Listeners found it noisy and lacking the charm of the original. Members of the Mangeshkar family and many fans said the remix “ruined” the song. It garnered millions of views but also many dislikes and harsh comments. |
As shown above, each remix takes a slightly different approach. Some stick close to the source (like “Tip Tip”), and some drastically change style (like “Dilbar” or “Mungda”). The audience tends to respond well when the core melody and soul of the song are preserved, or when the remix brings a genuinely interesting twist. But when a remix oversteps, either by butchering the composition or changing the mood too much, the public sentiment can turn sour quickly.
You May Also Like to Read
Interestingly, remixes also invite cross-generational comparison. A teenager might love the new “Dilbar” without ever hearing Alka Yagnik’s original, while their parent might smile at the remixed tune but still cherish the ’90s version more. This dynamic creates a dialogue between eras of music lovers. In some cases, the popularity of a remix even revives interest in the original track. For example, after “Laila Main Laila” became a hit in 2017, there was renewed buzz around the 1980 song on oldies radio and YouTube, introducing young listeners to the classic. So, remixes can inadvertently act as a bridge between the past and present.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation
The resurgence of Bollywood remixes presents a double-edged sword for the Hindi film music industry. On one side is nostalgia-fueled success; clearly, tapping into beloved old songs has struck gold, bringing wide listenership and a sense of shared cultural memory. On the other side looms the concern of creative stagnation; an industry that relies too much on past hits might discourage new musical experimentation. So, where does Bollywood go from here?
A balanced path is likely the key. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional remix done well. When handled with creativity and respect, a remix can be a delightful homage that gives a classic a second life. It can introduce timeless melodies to younger generations and even unite people over a common tune they both love (albeit in different versions). The success of some recent remixes shows that the audience does have an appetite for nostalgic content when it’s freshened up carefully. Nostalgia, after all, is a comforting feeling – especially in uncertain times, listeners often enjoy the familiar warmth of old songs.
However, as music lovers and critics frequently remind us, novelty and originality are the soul of any vibrant music industry. Audiences may enjoy remixes, but that doesn’t mean they want only remixes. The lukewarm response to many copy-paste remakes indicates that people still crave quality. Bollywood has a rich history of musical innovation. Every era produced its own style of new songs, from the golden melodies of the ’60s, the disco beats of the ’80s, to the experimental fusion of the 2000s. Preserving that inventive spirit is important. There are encouraging signs too: even composers known for remixes are creating original hits (for example, Tanishk Bagchi also delivered originals like “Raataan Lambiyan” that were adored). This shows that, given the chance, new talent can indeed craft the next generation of memorable songs.
Moving forward, the hope is that music companies and filmmakers use remixes more judiciously. Remaking a truly old gem once in a while for a tribute or narrative purpose can be special; stuffing every film album with multiple remixes might dilute the charm and draw more criticism. The audience’s message seems to be: “We don’t mind remixes, but give us good ones, and give us great new songs too.” If Bollywood listens to this, it can enjoy the best of both worlds, the instant connect of nostalgia and the excitement of originality.
In the end, the resurgence of Bollywood remixes is both a nod to the past and a note for the future. It reminds us how powerful our classic songs are, that they can still dominate charts decades later. At the same time, it challenges today’s music makers to match that brilliance with fresh compositions of their own. Nostalgia vs. creativity need not be a battle with one winner; with a thoughtful approach, Bollywood can strike a harmony between reverence for yesterday’s hits and the creative ambition to deliver tomorrow’s chartbusters. The remixes may continue to roll, but let’s also watch out for those new tunes that could become the classics that future generations might remix in 2050!