Bollywood, in recent times, has been discredited for Plagiarism, be it a film, song or music. However, in its defence, the Hindi Cinema based in Mumbai, says that they have been merely ‘inspired’ from a script, film or an individual and the content they produce is just an adaptation. Not just remakes of some of the big blockbuster South Indian films but Bollywood is also known for remaking and mostly ruining some of the biggest chartbusters. Recently, in the news is the famous Pakistani track- Pasoori, which has been recreated by Bollywood and, like always, people are going all guns blazing against Bollywood for ruining the famous song by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill. The remade ‘Pasoori Nu’ is a love song in the film SatyaPrem Ki Katha starring Karthik Aryan and Sara Ali Khan and is said to be a spin-off of the original Pasoori which was a sad song.
People are going all crazy and are expressing their views, mostly angry, on Social Media platforms. However, this is not the first time that the Bollywood has tried their hands on remaking a Pakistani song. Earlier, on numerous occasions, the Hindi Film Industry has remade super-hit Pakistani songs and in most of the cases, it was a misfire.
So, here’s a look at some of the Pakistani songs that Bollywood ruined:
- Pasoori
Bollywood’s most recent misfire, “Pasoori Nu,” has left fans puzzled and wondering why it was even necessary. The original song by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill was a melancholic composition, while Bollywood transformed it into a love song for the film “Satyaprem Ki Katha.” This unnecessary spin-off has left many questioning the industry’s creative choices.
- Boohey Baariyan
Hadiqa Kiani’s soulful rendition of “Boohey Baariyan” from her 1998 album, “Roshni,” resonated deeply with audiences. However, Kanika Kapoor’s version released last year failed to capture the essence of the original, leaving fans disappointed.
- Kinna Sona Tenu Rab Ne Banaya
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Kinna Sona Tenu Rab Ne Banaya” is a Pakistani song that Bollywood has repeatedly attempted to recreate. Unfortunately, none of these remakes have been able to match the brilliance of the original composition.
- Aahun Aahun
The song “Aahun Aahun” from the film “Love Aaj Kal” borrowed heavily from the Pakistani folk song “Kadi Te Has Bol Ve” by Shaukat Ali Khan. While Bollywood adapted the lyrics, it failed to capture the essence and charm of the original rendition.
- Disco Deewane
One of the more surprising instances is the remake of “Disco Deewane” in the film “Student Of The Year.” The original, sung by Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan, was a beloved party anthem in Pakistan during the 1980s. Bollywood made a few tweaks to the lyrics but claimed it was inspired by Nazia’s version.
- Mere Rashke Qamar
Bollywood’s version of “Mere Rashke Qamar” from the film “Baadshaho” is a remake of the iconic song originally sung by Pakistani Qawwali artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Although the Bollywood rendition credits Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and features Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, it falls short of the magic created by the legendary artist.
- Halka Halka Suroor
In “Fanney Khan,” the song “Halka Halka Suroor,” featuring Rajkummar Rao and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, pays homage to another masterpiece by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. While Bollywood incorporated new elements into the song, it still relied on the brilliance of Nusrat’s original composition.
The trend of Bollywood remaking Pakistani songs continues to disappoint fans who hold the originals dear. While the Hindi film industry claims to be inspired by these songs, the remakes often fail to capture the essence, leaving audiences yearning for the authenticity and magic of the originals. As Bollywood continues its quest for adaptation, it should strive to pay proper homage to the rich musical heritage of Pakistani songs and deliver remakes that truly do justice to the originals.