‘David Dhawan doesn’t ‘have the guts’ to talk to me about ‘Chunari Chunari’ remake,’ says Abhijeet Bhattacharya: ‘Copies are sold more than the original’

Over the past weekend, as clips from the shoot of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur, were circulated on the internet, fans of the Biwi No 1 song “Chunari Chunari” were not pleased. The clips being circulated saw Varun, Mrunal and Pooja dancing to a revamped version of the song and fans, as they often are, did not sound pleased with another one of their childhood favourites getting a revamp. Now, singer of the original song Abhijeet Bhattacharya has said that he was not told that the song is getting revamped for another film. He also said that even though this was a hit song back in the 90s, he never counted it among his “great songs.”

In a chat with HT City, Abhijeet said that no one told him about the revamp and added that they “don’t have the guts” to inform him either. He said, “Mujhe music composer, film ke director kisi ne nahi bataya ki iss song ko remake kiya jaa raha hai. Himmat bhi nahi kar sakte batane ki. (Music composer, director, no one told me that the song is being remade. They don’t have the guts to tell me.)” The original song was composed by Anu Malik and was sung by Anuradha Sriram, along with Abhijeet. It was filmed on Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. Biwi No 1 was directed by David Dhawan, and so is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The title of the film is also taken from the lyrics of Biwi No 1’s song “Ishq Sona Hai.”

Abhijeet added that for him, “Chunari Chunari” was never a good song. “For me personally, ‘Chunari Chunari’ was not a great song, never. It was one of those ‘jaldi gaao aur bhaago studio se (quickly sing and get out of the studio)’ song. I never count it among my great songs. This was one of those where the makers just wanted the lyrics to become a hit somehow,” he said.

Varun Dhawan & Pooja Hegde light up the set while shooting a song for their upcoming film. #varundhawan #poojahegde pic.twitter.com/mHiAhlTsbd

— Manas Bollywood (@Manasbollywood) May 24, 2025

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Abhijeet Bhattacharya shared that he has never understood the appeal of “Chunari Chunari,” but realises that it has become “iconic” for fans. He told the publication, “For the past 25 years I have heard it being played at functions, parties, and would always think, ‘What is it about the song? There was nothing that I remember from the time I sang it’. But I do realise it has become iconic for fans.”

Abhijeet was then asked about his reaction to the remake and he said, “Mujhe farak nahi padhta itni chhoti cheez se (I don’t care about such small things). I don’t get involved much. In the market, copies are sold more than the original. Only great people know the value of the original. Tuchhi cheez mein main padhta hi nahi hoon (I don’t get involved in petty things).”