Veteran music composer Jatin Pandit has expressed disappointment over the remix of his iconic song Aankhon Se Tune Kya Keh Diya, saying the new version has stripped away the emotional essence that made the original so memorable. The recreated track, titled Aankhon Se Tune 2.0, recently featured in Bhai Tera Star Hai, starring Raghav Juyal and Niharika NM, and has attracted millions of views online. While the remake has found commercial success, Pandit believes it no longer reflects the spirit of the song he created with composer Lalit Pandit nearly three decades ago.
Sharing his thoughts on his YouTube channel, the composer spoke at length about how the remix transformed a soft romantic melody into a fast-paced dance number. He said the original composition was built with sincerity and emotional depth, qualities he feels have been lost in the recreated version.
“The Character of the Song Has Changed”
Pandit revealed that he first came across the remake after noticing it had crossed 23 million views. Only later did he realize it was a new version of Aankhon Se Tune Kya Keh Diya from the 1998 film Ghulam. Reflecting on the original soundtrack, he praised the effort that went into creating every song on the album and questioned the creative direction taken with the remix.
He said, “I recently came across the remix of Aankhon Se Tune and realised it had over 23 million views. Then I realised this was our song from Ghulam. The original album had six songs, and every one of them was created with a lot of honesty and creativity. They kept Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu’s voice, but the new version seems like it was AI-generated in its arrangement, which I don’t know how they did… This is a very youthful and honest composition. There is no cheating in it. It came straight from the heart. As a composer, I didn’t like the remix because this is not a dancing song. It’s a moderate song with a moderate rhythm and movement. By increasing the tempo, density and adding a dance beat, its character has changed.”
Rather than criticizing the singers or the original vocal recordings, Pandit focused on the arrangement and production choices. According to him, changing the tempo and layering dance beats altered the identity of a song that was originally designed to be intimate and emotionally restrained.
Composer Urges Fans to Listen to the Original Version
The composer also reflected on the recording process behind the original song, saying he still remembers the dedication and craftsmanship that went into bringing it to life. While he acknowledged that the remake’s popularity is largely due to the timeless appeal of the original composition, he believes the two versions convey completely different emotions.
Pandit said, “I still remember the hardwork that went into the recording of this song, and all the songs were so good. Even now the song is remembered that is why the remix also is working… But the song is one direction and the arrangement in another direction. The soul of the song is here and the rhythm is in the opposite side. Mujhe samajh nahi aata ki shuru mein jo do original lagaye hai uski kya jarurat thi? Jo bhi hain doston main request karta hoon ki remix suna hai toh original bhi suniye. Original mein gaane mein thehrav aur ek purity hain… jab purity hamper hota hain toh dukh hota hai. Music ka kya future hone wala hai samajh mein nahi ata.”
His remarks echo a broader debate within the Indian music industry about the growing trend of remixing classic songs. While recreated tracks often introduce older melodies to younger audiences, many composers and lyricists have argued that excessive changes can dilute the emotional impact that made the originals enduring classics.
A Song That Continues to Live Across Generations
Aankhon Se Tune Kya Keh Diya was composed by the legendary duo Jatin-Lalit for Vikram Bhatt’s 1998 romantic drama Ghulam. Sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, the song featured Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerji on screen and quickly became one of the soundtrack’s biggest highlights. Even decades later, it remains a favorite among Bollywood music lovers and continues to be celebrated for its melody and heartfelt composition.
The latest remix has undoubtedly introduced the song to a new audience, but Jatin Pandit’s comments make it clear that he believes commercial success should not come at the cost of preserving a composition’s emotional identity. For the composer, the original’s simplicity, restraint and sincerity remain its greatest strengths—qualities he hopes listeners will rediscover by revisiting the version that first won millions of hearts.
