The upcoming Bollywood film 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' has found itself in a melodious controversy even before its release. The film's makers decided to include a remixed version of the iconic 1992 track 'Saat Samundar Paar' from the movie 'Vishwatma'. However, this new rendition has sparked significant backlash online, with many fans expressing disappointment, claiming the original magic has been ruined. The criticism took a more formal turn when the son of the original song's legendary lyricist stepped into the fray.
Original Legacy vs. New Remix
The original 'Saat Samundar Paar' is a beloved piece of Hindi cinema history. It featured in Rajeev Rai's film 'Vishwatma', starring Sunny Deol and the late Divya Bharti. The song was composed by Viju Shah, with timeless lyrics penned by the veteran Anand Bakshi. The popular female version was sung by Sadhna Sargam, while a separate male version featured Udit Narayan and Chunky Panday. This rich legacy is what the new remix, recreated for the Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday starrer, is being measured against.
Rakesh Bakshi's Strong Objection on Credits
The core of the current dispute revolves around the attribution of credit. On Wednesday, Rakesh Anand Bakshi, son of the late lyricist, took to Instagram to voice his strong displeasure. His primary issue was with the credits for the remixed version, which listed both his father, Anand Bakshi, and Karan Nawani as lyricists.
Rakesh argued that Nawani's contribution—adding only a few new lines—does not warrant equal billing with the original creator. Sharing a screenshot, he wrote, "The producer and or publisher should not claim credit for any writer singer etc as co-lyricist for adding one or two lines to the original lyrics." He suggested that credits should follow the format used for music, clearly distinguishing between 'original' and 'additional' contributions.
He directly tagged music label Saregama and the singer, calling for streaming platforms to reform their crediting system to protect the integrity of original creators. "It's 2025 today. Not 25 CE that they can't effect reform ASAP," he added, urging immediate change.
Creative Disappointment and Call for Respect
Beyond the credit issue, Rakesh Bakshi also expressed his creative disappointment with the remix. While he appreciated the singer's slower recomposition and vocal performance, he criticized the newly written lyrics. "I DO NOT APPRECIATE THE LYRICS HE RECREATED, THEY ARE NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE THOUGHT BEHIND THE EARLIER VERSE, ITS A MISMATCH, BREAKS THE CONTINUITY," he stated. This highlights a common grievance among audiences and legacy holders—that modern remixes often disrupt the original's emotional and narrative cohesion.
Directed by Sameer Vidwans, 'Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri' is scheduled for a Christmas release on December 25. This controversy has undoubtedly put a spotlight on the film's music and raised broader questions about the ethics and practices of remixing classic songs in Bollywood. The incident underscores the need for the industry to balance contemporary appeal with respectful acknowledgment of its artistic heritage.
