‘What Jhumka’ To ‘Tamma Tamma Again’, A Look At Popular Bollywood Song Remakes Amid ‘Dekhha Tenu’ Release
Amid the release of ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi’ song ‘Dekhha Tenu’, we decided to take a look at Bollywood tracks that are recreated versions of old hits.

The Hindi film industry, one of the largest in the world, has a rich history of delivering captivating stories that have entertained viewers for generations. Not just stories, but music and dance sequences also play a huge role in Bollywood movies. In several films, songs are used as an entry sequence to introduce a character. Sometimes, they also play in the background of a thrilling climax scene. Over the years, we have witnessed a trend in the Hindi film industry – the revival of old hits through remakes. This phenomenon reflects the evolving landscape of Bollywood music. One of the primary reasons behind this trend probably has to do with the nostalgic value attached to classic Bollywood songs.
Older melodies often carry a timeless charm and resonate with a broad audience, spanning across different age groups. By reintroducing these songs with a modern twist, filmmakers, actors and music producers aim to tap into this nostalgia, hoping to attract not just the younger generation but also older viewers who have fond memories associated with the original tracks. The emotional connection to these songs can be a powerful tool in marketing a movie, leveraging the already established popularity of the classics.
Technological advancements in music production have also played a crucial role in this trend. Today's music technology allows for the seamless blending of old melodies with new-age sounds and beats, creating a fresh yet familiar experience. Enhanced production quality can also breathe new life into old songs, making them appealing to modern listeners who might prefer the beats of today's music.
The commercial success of these recreated songs also cannot be ignored. Many remixes and recreations have topped music charts, garnered millions of views on streaming platforms, and have become integral parts of movie promotions. For instance, songs like ‘What Jhumka’ from ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’, ‘Laila Main Laila’ from ‘Raees’ and ‘Aankh Marey’ from ‘Simmba’ have enjoyed immense popularity. The popularity of such recreated tracks motivates producers and music labels to continue this trend, recognising it as a viable strategy to create hype around their films.
However, the trend of song recreation is not without its critics. Several original song lovers often argue that recreations dilute the essence of the classic tracks, stripping them of their charm and emotional depth. Moreover, there is also concern about creativity within the music industry. Reliance on old hits might indicate a lack of creativity and originality, as nowadays artists and producers prefer to play it safe with tried-and-tested melodies rather than exploring new musical territories.
While some remakes have managed to strike the right chord, others may have appeared to be mere commercial gimmicks, often leading to a mixed reception.
As we talk about this growing trend focusing on recreated versions of old hits, we can’t forget to mention the newly released ‘Mr & Mrs Mahi’ song ‘Dekhha Tenu’ featuring Janhvi Kapoor and Rajkummar Rao. Does this title ring a bell? Well, because it has been recreated from the uber-popular track ‘Say Shava Shava’.
For the unversed, the title and tagline of ‘Dekhha Tenu’ have been recreated from a verse, which featured in the song ‘Say Shava Shava’ from the hit 2001 film ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Rani Mukerji.
‘Dekhha Tenu’ has been sung by Mohammad Faiz with Jaani serving as the composer and lyricist of heartfelt number. After the release of ‘Dekhha Tenu’, we got another Hindi song remake in the form of ‘Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar’ from the upcoming film ‘Ishq Vishk Rebound’, starring Rohit Saraf, Pashmina Roshan, Jibraan Khan, and Naila Grrewal.
‘Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar’ has been sung by Sonu Nigam, Nikhita Gandhi and Mellow D with lyrics by Gurpreet Saini and music by Rochak Kohli. The original track, from the 2003 film ‘Ishq Vishk’, featured Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao and Shehnaz Treasury. The music composer for the original track was Anu Malik and the lyricist was Sameer.
Amid the release of these new Hindi songs, we decided to take a look at popular Bollywood tracks that have been recreated from old hits.
Without further ado, check out the list here:
1. ‘What Jhumka’: The hit 2023 Hindi song from Karan Johar’s directorial venture ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’ borrowed bits from the popular retro song ‘Jhoomka Gira Re’, which featured in the 1966 Bollywood movie ‘Mera Saaya’. The original track, sung by the legendary Asha Bhosle, became an iconic number known for its catchy tune and memorable lyrics penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, with music composed by Madan Mohan. The revamped version, titled ‘What Jhumka’, is created by Madan Mohan and Pritam, bringing a fresh twist to the beloved classic. This new rendition retains the essence of the original song while infusing it with modern beats, appealing to both nostalgic listeners and the new generation. The recreated track is sung by Arijit Singh and Jonita Gandhi with lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The music video of ‘What Jhumka’ features Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. Their chemistry and fun dance steps beautifully paid homage to the original while adding a contemporary flair.
2. ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ (Title Track): The title track of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’, featuring Kartik Aaryan, is a recreation of the iconic song ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ from the 2007 Hindi movie Bhool Bhulaiyaa, starring Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan. The original song was composed by Pritam, with vocals by Neeraj Shridhar and lyrics by Sameer. It became a massive hit for its catchy beats. The 2022 version captured the same infectious energy while giving it a fresh and contemporary twist. The recreation is handled by the talented music composer Tanishk Bagchi, known for revamping classic Bollywood songs. The remake is sung by Neeraj Shridhar, the original voice behind the old hit, maintaining a sense of familiarity for fans of the first movie. The lyrics for the recreated version have been penned by Mandy Gill. The music video for the ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’ title track featured Kartik Aaryan. His engaging dance moves brought a vibrant energy to the song.
3. ‘The Humma Song’: This Hindi song is a recreation of the original song ‘Hamma Hamma’ from the 1995 film ‘Bombay’, starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala. The original song was composed by the legendary A.R. Rahman. The classic track, sung by Remo Fernandes with lyrics by Mehboob, still remains iconic for its catchy tune and rhythmic beats. The recreated version, ‘The Humma Song’, featured in the 2017 Bollywood movie ‘Ok Jaanu’, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor. The new version was produced by Tanishk Bagchi and Badshah, who infused contemporary elements into the classic, giving it a modern and peppy feel while retaining the infectious energy of the original. ‘The Humma Song’ has vocals by Jubin Nautiyal and Shashaa Tirupati. The music video of the recreated song featured Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor’s crackling chemistry and fun dance moves. The music video is visually captivating, with a vibrant setting that complements the energetic beats of the track.
4. ‘Tamma Tamma Again’: This popular Bollywood song featured in the 2017 movie ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ that starred Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. ‘Tamma Tamma Again’ is a recreated version of the original song ‘Tamma Tamma Loge’ from the 1990 Hindi movie ‘Thanedaar’, which starred Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit. The original song, composed by Bappi Lahiri and sung by Bappi Lahiri and Anuradha Paudwal with lyrics by Indeevar, became iconic for its catchy tune and killer dance moves. The 2017 version, recreated by Tanishk Bagchi, retained the essence of the original by including the voices of Bappi Lahiri and Anuradha Paudwal while adding contemporary elements. Badshah contributed additional rap lyrics, infusing the song with a modern vibe. Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt starred in the music video, showcasing killer dance moves choreographed by Bosco-Caesar. Their chemistry, combined with new music and rap, brought a fresh energy to the song.
5. ‘Dum Maaro Dum’: This Hindi song is a recreated version of the iconic track ‘Dum Maro Dum’ from the 1971 Bollywood film ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, which became a cultural phenomenon and remains popular to this day. Sung by Asha Bhosle, composed by R.D. Burman, and penned by Anand Bakshi, the song featured Zeenat Aman and Dev Anand. The infectious beats and catchy lyrics contributed significantly to the song's massive success. In 2011, the song was remade for the film ‘Dum Maaro Dum’, directed by Rohan Sippy. This version, titled ‘Mit Jaaye Gham (Dum Maaro Dum)’, was sung by Anushka Manchanda, composed by Pritam, and written by Jaideep Sahni. Deepika Padukone featured in the dance number, bringing a modern and edgy twist to the classic. The new version generated massive buzz, especially due to Deepika Padukone's performance, and managed to capture the attention of a new generation.
6. ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’: The new version of ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh’ was a beautiful romantic number that won hearts worldwide. Darshan Raval and Rochak Kohli lent their soulful voices for this lovely rendition of the original track, which was composed by R.D. Burman and sung by Kumar Sanu with lyrics penned by Javed Akhtar. The new song was composed by Rochak Kohli with lyrics penned by Gurpreet Saini. The song was taken from the film ‘1942: A Love Story’, which starred Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. The new version of the song featured in the 2019 Bollywood film ‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga’, starring Anil Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Rajkummar Rao and Juhi Chawla.
7. ‘Aankh Marey’: This one has to be one of the best song remakes. ‘Aankh Marey’ from Ranveer Singh and Sara Ali Khan-starrer ‘Simmba’ plays at literally every party. The peppy number featured the lead pair shaking their legs to the catchy beats of the song coupled with the fun lyrics. The party song is a recreated version of the original ‘Aankh Marey’, which was sung by Kumar Sanu and Kavita Krishnamurthy for the film ‘Tere Mere Sapne’. The 1996 film marked the debut of Arshad Warsi. The new energetic track was sung by Neha Kakkar, Mika Singh and Kumar Sanu with music by Tanishk Bagchi and lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed.
Here are some of the other Bollywood songs that have been recreated from old hits:
‘Khoya Khoya Chand’ from ‘Shaitan’ (2011) – ‘Khoya Khoya Chand Khula Aasman’ from ‘Kala Bazar’ (1960)
‘Hawa Hawai’ from ‘Shaitan’ (2011) – ‘Hawa Hawai’ from ‘Mr. India’ (1987)
‘Hungama Ho Gaya’ from ‘Queen’ (2014) – ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’ from ‘Anhonee’ (1973)
‘Yeh Mera Dil’ from ‘Don’ (2006) – ‘Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Deewana’ from ‘Don’ (1978)
‘Dilbar’ from ‘Satyameva Jayate’ (2018) – ‘Dilbar Dilbar’ from ‘Sirf Tum’ (1999)
‘Laila Main Laila’ from Raees (2017) – ‘Laila O Laila’ from ‘Qurbani’ (1980)
‘Ek Do Teen’ from ‘Baaghi 2’ (2018) – ‘Ek Do Teen’ ‘Tezaab’ (1988)
‘Poster Lagwa Do’ from ‘Luka Chuppi’ (2019) – ‘Poster Lagwa Do’ from ‘Aflatoon’ (1997)
As Bollywood continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this trend develops and whether the industry can strike a balance between honouring the past with some good song remakes and delivering new hits.