New Delhi: A recently released remix version of Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman’s popular song Masakali has irked many people on social media, including Rahman and lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
The original song was composed by Rahman and penned by Joshi for the 2009 movie Delhi 6, which was directed by Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra.
T-series launched the new version of the song, recreated by composer Tanishk Bagchi and singers Tulsi Kumar and Sachet Tandon, Wednesday. The video, starring actors Siddharth Malhotra and Tara Sutaria, has already garnered 19 million views is less than two days.
On Wednesday itself, Rahman took to Twitter to encourage people to listen to the original version of the song and wrote, “A team of a director, composer, and a lyricist, supported by actors, dance directors and a relentless film crew. – Lots of love and prayers.”
Enjoy the original #Masakali https://t.co/WSKkFZEMB4@RakeyshOmMehra @prasoonjoshi_ @_MohitChauhan pic.twitter.com/9aigZaW2Ac
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) April 8, 2020
Joshi also expressed his dissatisfaction with Masakali 2.0 and said that it was “sad to see” an original creation being “insensitively utilised”.
All songs written for #Delhi6 including #Masakali close to heart,sad to see when original creation of @arrahman @prasoonjoshi_ &singer @_MohitChauhan insensitively utilised. Upto the conscience of @Tseries. Hopefully the fans will stand for originality. @RakeyshOmMehra
— Prasoon Joshi (@prasoonjoshi_) April 8, 2020
Others from the music industry were also unimpressed with the remix. Composer Ankur Tewari joked that Masakali 2.0 tested positive for Covid-19.
Meanwhile Masakali 2.0 tested #COVID19 positive. Situation kaafi critical hai.
— Ankur Téwari (@ankurtewari) April 8, 2020
Filmmaker Hansal Mehta slammed the song and encouraged people to stop listening to these recreations. He also expressed his annoyance at the staggeringly high views on YouTube and said, “shit sells”.
Yes. I am reacting to the awful, ear shattering #Masakali version. But check its YouTube views in 48 hrs. Then see how DJs blast it at events. And how people groove to the godawful version. Shit sells. While we cringe, somebody is laughing his way to the bank.
— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) April 9, 2020
Also read: One hour of Arnab shouting on Republic TV is better than one minute of Masakali remix
Memes, jokes and reactions on social media
Soon after its release, Masakali 2.0 was trending on social media but not for good reasons. The song has become fodder for many memes and jokes on social media with several people expressing their disappointment at the recreation.
Say No to Remix songs?#Masakali2 pic.twitter.com/fqJuDraRhx
— AaYuu (@A_BrahminGirlll) April 8, 2020
Even Jaipur Police joined the fun and devised a unique punishment for those violating the coronavirus lockdown.
https://twitter.com/jaipur_police/status/1248175433213816832?s=20
Most memes lauded the original composition and criticised T-Series for meddling with it.
#Masakali2
Good Songs Exits T-Series Re-create it pic.twitter.com/k7QIA7gdak— Rudro?? (@itsrudroo) April 8, 2020
My reaction after watching #Masakali2 pic.twitter.com/1J7tUU5Vpy
— सिंधु (@sindhusiddhart1) April 9, 2020
Well somebody said so true…
"Nakal me bhi akal honi chahiye"
Dedicated to ?️2.0 #Masakali2 pic.twitter.com/mASXhQfyOe
— Hemita Pathak (@HemitaPathak) April 10, 2020
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