There’s a reason we haven’t mentioned the word ‘remix’ in the title. Yes, the word that has been used so liberally in the early part of the 2000s – with a Baby Doll remix or a Desi Dhol remix coming out every second day. I shudder to think, how much damage was caused to the profession of DJs when people like Harry Anand started rolling out commodity.
However, few artistes have been able to keep the soul of the original song while experimenting with the tone, the bass, the beats and melody of the song. Musicians like Mikey McCleary making old songs ‘hep’ and mainstream Bollywood composers paying tributes to their favorite songs, here are 14 such ‘re-imagined’ classic Bollywood songs that stole our breath away as much as the original.
1. Saigal Blues (Delhi Belly):
This beautiful arrangement of the famous song by K L Saigal, by giving a grungy twist to it was just a super way to introduce this brilliant song to this generation. Ram Sampath, you the man!
2. Khoya Khoya Chaand (Shaitan)
Mikey McCleary in the house. He along with Bejoy Nambiar created the most epic action scene, while this reggae mix keeps playing in background. Have your mind blown!
3. So Gaya Yeh Jahaan (Nautanki Saala)
Rohan Sippy’s Nautanki Saala featured this groovy mix of the classic sung by Nitin Mukesh – with a bass that will get your feet tapping.
4. Title track (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
Modelled after the R D Burman classic, Vishal-Shekhar did their own spin by adding cool dance and disco beats to the classic song. Groove to the original paragraph added by the duo as a tribute.
5. Noorie – Bally Sagoo
One of the original beauties churned out using an old-school classic song, keeping its soul in tact. I still get creeped out by the lone woman in a white saree with a candle roaming around the streets of a sleeping city.
6. Fifi – (Bombay Velvet)
In Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet, the modern turn on O P Nayyar’s ‘Fifi’ is the most pulsating of the track. With the brilliant bass line playing and Suman Sridhar’s ode to Geeta Dutt is absolutely marvelous.
7. Hungama Ho Gaya (Queen)
Using Asha Bhosle’s original vocals to a more contemporary arrangement along with additional lyrics by Arijit Singh made this song the film’s anthem!
8. Kya Surat Hai (Bombay Vikings)
Neeraj Sridhar’s Bombay Vikings churned out this chartbuster in the late 90s by tweaking Kishore Kumar’s original Zarurat hai… and adding a nice groove the song which was already emitting happiness and positivity.
9. Har Kisiko Nahi Milta (Boss)
Now, we can’t say this song is better than the original one which Sridevi crooning to it in Jaanbaaz, however, a case can be made for Arijit Singh’s raspy voice and the way he lends himself to the song.
10. Baahon Mein Chale Aao (Leslie Lewis)
Amongst all that clutter of remixes that came out in the early 2000s, this gem by Leslie Lewis stood out for the way it preserved the seductress version of the original singer. Kudos Mahalaxmi Iyer!
11. Hawaa Hawaai (Shaitan)
Another winner from Mikey McCleary from his album – Bartender’s mix. He takes Kavitha Krishnamurthy and turns it into this reggae-track.
12. Mast Kalandar (David)
Bejoy Nambiar’s next had this sufi song which has been covered a million times. And yet Mikey McCleary turns it into a rock ballad and ta-da Mast Kalandar like you’ve never heard it!
13. Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein (Leslie Lewis)
Leslie Lewis arranged this genius – when he kept the sensuality of the original song and gave it a modern context. Deftly put together by an artist who knows his way around.
14. Aaj Phir Tum Pe (Hate Story 2)
Source: TSeries
