Love or hate dum maaro dum

Anushka Manchanda is the voice behind the much-hyped remake of the iconic Asha Bhosle number, Dum Maro Dum from Hare Rama Hare Krishna. Here's why the world is 'shocked' at the song, her friends giggly-happy with it, and Anushka, hopeful

Were you apprehensiveu00a0 about singing the new version of Dum Maro Dum?
There's no way my singing can compare to Asha Bhosle's (she sang the original). The song styles are radically different. I like remixes that are treated and produced differently from the original. So, the fact that this version is nothing like the original not only safeguards me from comparisons, it's also a treat.

Singer Anushka Manchanda

How would you compare it to the original?
I love the original and it will always be close to my heart. But I've put a little bit of myself into Mit jaaye gham, and that makes it special.

Screenwriter-lyricist Jaideep Sahni has managed some unconventional lyrics.
When I read the lyrics, I thought, 'Are you serious?!' You can love the lyrics or you can hate them, but you can't ignore them. They are raw, edgy and exactly what the song needed. My favourite lines are: Kya hai kahaani tere paap ki/ Topi hai pyaare har naap ki/ Khuli hai supermarket baap ki/ Kya hai pasand kaho aap ki.

Deepika Padukone in Mit jaye ghum

Do you think Deepika Padukone has done justice to the song?
Deepika has a great body, has been styled well, the choreography is super and the video is sexy. The song is powerful, so the video had to be equally good. I think Deepika is the perfect person to sing the lyrics onscreen. She's raised the hot quotient of the song.

How did you react when you were first offered the song?
When I was told about it and I heard about the cast, I did a little dance!

You think there is creativity in a remix?
Badly made remixes suck. They mess with the memories and visuals we attach to them. A good remix can create a new space for itself. To take the warmth of an old tune and add freshness to it is an art.

Tell us about the reactions.
The music reviews have the words 'shocked', 'amazed', 'dance-floor hit' and 'entertained'. My Twitter account is flooded with people talking about how cool the song is. My friends and family love it. The college crowd is digging the styling and vibe of the song. I'm crossing my fingers.u00a0

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