Putting a new spin on an iconic song can be a risk. As far as the recreated version of AR Rahman's chartbuster 'Hamma Hamma' in 'OK Jaanu' goes, the risk doesn't seem to have paid off

Remo Fernandez
Putting a new spin on an iconic song can be a risk. As far as the recreated version of AR Rahman's chartbuster Hamma Hamma in Aditya Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor-starrer 'OK Jaanu' goes, the risk doesn't seem to have paid off. The track rendered by Tanishk Bagchi and Badshah didn't open to the most positive remarks on social media, with many slamming the rap bit and calling it pointless and sleazy. One tweet read, "Badshah puts the no in nostalgia".
Remo Fernandez, who sang the original song in Mani Ratnam's Bombay (1995), hasn't taken to it kindly either. Speaking to hitlist from Portugal, he says, "There is nothing wrong in doing new versions of existing songs, as long as one brings something new to the table. It can be something plus, or at least something different. This version of Humma Humma, I am afraid, brings neither. It is but a pale, insipid version of the original. Vocally, instrumentally and arrangements-wise, it seems to be a hurried, uninspired job."