From 'Tum Bin 2' to 'Dear Zindagi': Bollywood strikes gold with old songs

Recreated songs, though technically not the most apt term, have been a part of pop culture in India for several years now. Leading singers and composers have lent themselves to the new-age versions of old hits. But do most reworked songs ��� in films or singles ��� help rake in the moolah? What about the current trend of reworking old numbers for films?
Give credit where it���s due
Composer Vishal Dadlani rues, ���It���s something that probably Shekhar and I started with 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' about a decade ago.And today, I deeply regret it.��� He adds, ���We paid tribute to the old song and credited the original talent behind it. We did our best to retain the integrity and the original flavour of the song while adding our little twist to it. My only request to composers: if you rework an old song, do it with utmost sincerity. There are some cases where a composer has reworked a classic very well. 'Har Kisi Ko Nahi Milta Yahan Pyaar Zindagi Mein' and Jagjit Singh���s ghazal that I recently heard in 'Tum Bin 2' are examples.���
Ankit Tiwari, who has recreated quite a few hit numbers, including the recent 'Teri Fariyad' from 'Tum Bin 2', insists that unless asked for, labels don���t aptly credit the original creators of the songs. ���I insisted that Nikhil Vinay���s credit comes alongside mine for 'Teri Fariyad'. It���s not an original, so why make it sound like that? I wouldn���t like it if someone recreated 'Sun Raha Hai Na' without duly crediting me for it,��� he says.
Recreations galore
In 2016 alone, there have been well over two dozen ���recreations��� of old melodies. 'Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le', 'Teri Fariyad', 'Aise Na Mujhe Tum Dekho', 'Kaala Chashma', 'Oye Oye', 'Kar Gayi Chull', 'Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Naa Karo', 'Gumnaam Hai Koi' are just some of the examples that come to the mind instantly. The trend, it looks like, will continue in 2017.
To begin with, 'Commando 2' will feature a new version of 'Hare Krishna Hare Ram' from 'Bhool Bhaulaiyaa'. 'Kaabil' will also feature a version of 'Hai Saara Zamana Haseeno Ka Deewana' from 'Yaarana'. An upcoming Shah Rukh Khan-starrer will have Sunny Leone gyrating to 'Laila O Laila', a song immortalised by Zeenat Aman in 'Qurbani'.
Blame it on demand
Composer Amaal Mallik, who has belted out a couple of the popular reworked songs this year, says that there is a heavy demand for such tracks from labels, actors and producers. ���Since there is no solidarity among composers, we can���t even put an end to this. If I refuse, someone else will do it. Sometimes, producers are hard-pressed for time because they have suddenly been allotted dates by the artistes. And we get even lesser time to create or recreate songs. So, it���s a gamble ��� it could be fantastic or go terribly wrong,��� he says.
Ehsaan Noorani, of the trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, says, ���As long as there is demand, there will be supply. I am sure music companies and producers are doing their math over this. And they���ll encourage this fad only if it benefits them. I have seen cases where recreated songs have worked, but the films have tanked, and vice-versa, but something has kept this trend alive. Yes, we are in an overdrive mode right now. ���
Just a passing fancy?
The trend, Ankit feels, will pass soon. ���As a newcomer, I was asked to create something like 'Kajra Re'. It���s the norm here. Either you say ���No��� to work or work according to the brief. A lot of producers are good with original scores, but many others ask us to either get ���inspired��� or recreate a song. No composer likes touching another���s work, and I���m not an exception, but do we have an option?���
Originality will never go out of fashion
Vishal sums it up, ���Originality in music will never cease to exist. The beauty of music is that everything is concurrent. I am sure all the people who are doing ���reworked songs��� want to compose originals. But mate, when you recompose, do it like it���s your own!���