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Are these filmi remixes better than the classics?
As if remaking old hits wasn't bad enough, now every major Bollywood release seems to be featuring classic songs, rehashed and poured into a new package. The latest to join the gang is Laila O Laila, Yana Gupta seen shaking her booty to it in the Chalo Dilli promos.
Still, some remixes do a better job than others. Here's a look at 10 prominent recent remixes, along with a rating: to see just how well they compare next to the originals.
Remix Rating:
Dum Maro Dum - Dum Maro Dum
The most publically criticised rehash, this Pritam remix for Rohan Sippy's film borrows the chorus from Dev Anand's immortal Hare Rama Hare Krishna song but idiotically makes it more of a rave track than a trippy one.
So much for maaro-ing dum. Gone is the psychedelia and in come vulgarly inane lyrics which make even a stunning Deepika Padukone seem less sexy.
Remix Rating: 0/5
Pyaar Do Pyaar Lo - Thank You
The original Pyaar Do Pyaar Lo from Jaanbaaz was a sensual, sexually charged song.
Here, in Anees Bazmee's latest template comedy, it comes in as a standard club track with a bunch of horny men expressing themselves with badly sung cheap lyrics.
Also, it doesn't help that none of the women in the song are worth a look.
Remix Rating: 
Yamla Pagla Deewana - Yamla Pagla Deewana
This one just worked because it didn't change too much. Also, the nostalgia factor kicked in big time.
So as Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol walk to Dharam's classic song, it's meant to be taken with a dollop of indulgence. One wishes, however, that the makers of the new film had picked better singers for the same.
But no denying the power of the original groove.
Remix Rating:
Parda - Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai
Now this was exciting. A crackling mash-up of Duniya Mein Logon Ko and Monica, this track managed to find its own sound even as it straddled two great classics.
The all-important vibe is in the right place, the song completely fits the film, and Gauhar Khan looks like a million bucks.
We're sold.
Remix Rating:
Dhanno - Housefull
While undeniably a earworm, this Lawaaris track was never truly a classic.
Yet the master's voice is the master's voice and you realise that even with musically little to offer, it was Kishore Kumar's voice that made the song memorable.
Without it, it's piffle. And worse yet, piffle Arjun Rampal dances to.
Shudder.
Remix Rating:
Ek Hasina Thi - Karzzz
Now where exactly does one start, here? Himesh Reshammiya singing the Karz song is blasphemy on so many levels that it can only be brought into perspective by looking at the bigger picture: that of Reshammiya taking on Rishi Kapoor's role.
A disaster on both counts, and though Himesh tries valiantly and the mix is decent, this was doomed from the start.
Remix Rating:
Bachna Ae Haseeno - Bachna Ae Haseeno
This one works because of the star's own charisma. Ranbir Kapoor rocks the joint with this title track, both affectionately and brightly in tribute to the original.
Some of KishoreDa's original vocals make sure the song's magic stays -- at least in the parts where Vishal of Vishal-Shekhar isn't rapping unnecessarily.
Remix Rating:
Mehbooba Mehbooba - Aap Kaa Surroor: The Moviee: The Real Luv Story
This one is interesting, actually. The original Mehbooba was sung by RD Burman himself with very distinctive vocals, so who better to reprise it in the modern era than Himesh? With Asha Bhonsle herself accompanying him like she did Panchamda?
It's a saucy track that works for the most part -- not to mention Mallika Sherawat fills out the Helen outfit beautifully.
Remix Rating:
Sabse Bada Rupaiyya - Bluffmaster
What this got spot-on was the song's sauciness. Abhishek Bachchan brought all his cool cred to the song and the remix sounded both true to the original as well as wonderfully contemporary.
Quite a smart move taking a Mehmood comedy track and turning it into the opening credits song in a stylish film.
Things could only get better; and they did.
Remix Rating:
Tune Abhi Dekha Nahin - Bluffmaster
The 'Tune Abhi Dekha Nahin Dekha Hai To Jaana Nahin' breathless singing in Do Aur Do Paanch is so iconic that using any singer other than KishoreDa would be commercial and critical suicide.
A good thing then that Sameeruddin used the original song and just remixed it -- like Bally Sagoo would have, but doing a much nicer job of it. This one's a earworm.
Remix Rating: