MUMBAI: Apart from lot of disturbing political and social trends in the world, one trend that is haunting Bollywood music ecosystem is the trend of remixes. The past few years has seen many iconic songs being remixed and the result has not always been good. In 2017, we saw Madhuri Dixit’s famous number Tamma Tamma being remade and possibly the only remix, which received a positive response. The others included Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast and the Laila Main Laila - a song remixed for zillion times already.

This year the list of songs has been exhaustive, but there are few worth remembering. Ek Do Teen from Tezaab, a song that the entire 90’s generation grew up on. The tune, lyrics and the performance all have left an indelible mark. The new version in the movie Baaghi 2 was a tad disappointing. If it was an original song with Jacqueline Fernandes performing, it would have been different. However, Jacqueline had large shoes to fill in terms of performance. The recreation was also replete too many techno sounds and rap, which were blissfully amiss in the original. The only saving grace was the original lyrics and vocals of Shreya Ghosal.

Then came the recreated version of Dilbar Dilbar from Sirf Tum, which received record breaking views in millions. But the lovers of the original missed Sushmita Sen and the simple yet enticing track. The old track starring Rekha and Dharmendra, Rafta Rafta, was recreated for the movie Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 with the same cast and adding Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha. The song turned a downer despite the stellar cast. The recreation was a medley of sorts, recreating many other iconic songs like Oh Mere Sona, Saalam-E-Ishq etc.

The year closes with Aankh Maare, remade for the movie Simmba. The original track was a riot and complete chartbuster from the movie Tere Mere Sapne and starred Simran and Arshad Warsi. The recreation is visually appealing and picked up instantly. However, the song has received a mixed response. The same film has another memorable Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan track, Tere Bin. Previously, this track was used in Kacche Dhaage. The new version although is sung by the legend’s nephew Rahaat Fateh Ali Khan - the silver lining. Tanishk Bagchi is the man behind these tracks. As much as, his efforts are applause-worthy, the 90’s generation is possessive about the songs they grew up hearing as well as watching, thus the recreations are subjected to criticism.

The obsession with recreating new tracks leaves the audiences pondering for new and original content. The recreations definitely bring a sense of nostalgia, but if not done to the mark, could offend a true blue Bollywood music lover.