Jatin Pandit criticises 90s favourite Aankhon Se Tune remix: ‘It’s like adding yellow to peacock’s feather’
New Delhi: The recreated version of the 1998 hit Aankhon Se Tune has found a new audience, but it has also drawn criticism from one of the men behind the original. Veteran music composer Jatin Pandit has expressed disappointment with the remix, saying its modern treatment changes the essence of the song that first featured in Ghulam.
The new version, produced by Lijo George, begins with fresh vocals by Dev Negi and Palak Muchhal before combining into the original rendition by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik. Featuring Raghav Juyal and Niharika NM, the track has gained significant traction online, crossing 23 million views.
After watching the recreated version, Pandit shared his thoughts on his YouTube channel, saying he initially did not realise it was based on his composition from Ghulam. While he appreciated the response the remix has received, he said the musical changes left him disappointed.
According to the composer, Aankhon Se Tune was created as a soft, youthful melody with a gentle rhythm. He felt that increasing its tempo, adding dance beats and introducing a new opening verse altered the song’s original mood and identity.
Explaining why he was unhappy with the remix, Pandit said, “The original composition was complete by itself. When you add something new to it, it’s like adding yellow to the violet colours of a peacock’s feather. It doesn’t make it more beautiful; it looks like a patch.”
He used another comparison to describe his emotions, saying it felt like watching someone change a child lovingly raised by its parents. In his view, remaking a song without preserving its original spirit takes away what made it special in the first place.
Pandit clarified that his criticism was not aimed at the performers. He praised Raghav Juyal’s dance and Niharika NM’s performance, but felt their energetic screen presence was better suited to a different style of music than the understated original.
Despite his reservations, the veteran composer acknowledged that the recreated track has connected with younger listeners. At the same time, he admitted it saddens him that many enjoying the remix may not know the people who created the original classic.