Chunnari Chunnari row grows as composers deny remake tag, call it homage
The composers of Chunnari Chunnari - Let's Go say the song is a homage to the Biwi No 1 original, not a remake. The clarification comes amid social media backlash and a Rs 400 crore legal fight over song rights.
The composers of Chunnari Chunnari - Let’s Go from the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai have said the song is a homage to the original track from Biwi No 1 and not a remake. Their response comes amid social media backlash and a Rs 400 crore lawsuit linked to the use of songs from the 1999 film.
In a recent interview, composers Akshay and IP said their version was created as a tribute to the song, originally featuring Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. The new track is picturised on Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde.
What the composers said
Speaking to Zoom, Akshay said, “We have our own term for this, which is reimagination. It is actually paying homage to the original. This is not a remake, as that requires different treatment. This version has original lyrics, and sampling was done; the lyrics were rewritten. Instead of calling it a remake or recreation, it is more of a homage.”
IP, who has also written the additional lyrics and sung the song, said the idea was to introduce younger listeners to songs from the 1990s.
He said, “Jab yeh gaane humne sune the (When we heard the songs), we were growing old. These songs held certain feelings and emotions." He expressed that the intention was to preserve the feeling of the old song with modern sounds and amenities, as well as to expose the newer generation to these tunes.
The legal dispute
The controversy has also reached the Bombay High Court. Vashu Bhagnani’s Puja Entertainment has filed a Rs 400 crore suit against director David Dhawan, Tips Industries Limited, and producers Ramesh Taurani and Kumar S Taurani over the alleged unauthorised use of songs from Biwi No. 1. The dispute is centred on recreated versions of Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
According to ANI, the suit, filed by V K Dubey Associates, seeks urgent injunctive relief to stop the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming and further commercial exploitation of the film, along with all promotional material featuring the disputed songs. Puja Entertainment has also asked for the songs to be removed from the film and has sought a title change.
Puja Entertainment has said the film’s title is also in question because Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is derived from Ishq Sona Hai. It has further sought Rs 100 crore in damages if Tips Industries Limited and David Dhawan do not comply with its demands. Ramesh Taurani of Tips Industries, however, has maintained that the company legally owns the music and audio rights to the songs.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 5.
The composers of Chunnari Chunnari - Let’s Go from the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai have said the song is a homage to the original track from Biwi No 1 and not a remake. Their response comes amid social media backlash and a Rs 400 crore lawsuit linked to the use of songs from the 1999 film.
In a recent interview, composers Akshay and IP said their version was created as a tribute to the song, originally featuring Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. The new track is picturised on Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde.
What the composers said
Speaking to Zoom, Akshay said, “We have our own term for this, which is reimagination. It is actually paying homage to the original. This is not a remake, as that requires different treatment. This version has original lyrics, and sampling was done; the lyrics were rewritten. Instead of calling it a remake or recreation, it is more of a homage.”
IP, who has also written the additional lyrics and sung the song, said the idea was to introduce younger listeners to songs from the 1990s.
He said, “Jab yeh gaane humne sune the (When we heard the songs), we were growing old. These songs held certain feelings and emotions." He expressed that the intention was to preserve the feeling of the old song with modern sounds and amenities, as well as to expose the newer generation to these tunes.
The legal dispute
The controversy has also reached the Bombay High Court. Vashu Bhagnani’s Puja Entertainment has filed a Rs 400 crore suit against director David Dhawan, Tips Industries Limited, and producers Ramesh Taurani and Kumar S Taurani over the alleged unauthorised use of songs from Biwi No. 1. The dispute is centred on recreated versions of Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
According to ANI, the suit, filed by V K Dubey Associates, seeks urgent injunctive relief to stop the release, distribution, exhibition, streaming and further commercial exploitation of the film, along with all promotional material featuring the disputed songs. Puja Entertainment has also asked for the songs to be removed from the film and has sought a title change.
Puja Entertainment has said the film’s title is also in question because Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is derived from Ishq Sona Hai. It has further sought Rs 100 crore in damages if Tips Industries Limited and David Dhawan do not comply with its demands. Ramesh Taurani of Tips Industries, however, has maintained that the company legally owns the music and audio rights to the songs.
The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 5.
