Tanishk Bagchi has constantly faced flak for recreating iconic Hindi film songs, but the music composer is unfazed by it. The 42-year-old found himself at the receiving end of a lot of trolling on social media for remixing the iconic melody Aap Jaisa Koi for Ayushmann Khurrana’s latest film, An Action Hero.

The original was sung by Pakistani pop star Nazia Hassan and was picturised on yesteryear actor Zeenat Aman in the film Abdullah (1979). In an exclusive chat, Bagchi tells us how he doesn’t let the negativity get to him, and that his sole focus is his work.

“I don’t have the time to look at social media or negative comments. I’m always occupied with my work. I get a song and then I move on to the next project. My work is my main passion and I do not focus on what everyone is saying. Award mil gaya na for an original song, it is a big thing,” says Bagchi, who bagged awards for his song Raataan Lambiyan from Shershaah (2021).

Social media users, visibly irked, took to Twitter to express their angst over the new rendition, picturised on Khurrana and actor Malaika Arora. Ask Bagchi his opinion on people remixing their own songs on Instagram and amassing millions of views — the latest being Pakistani girl Ayesha’s rendition of Lata Mangeshkar’s Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja — and he says every trend is a good thing, as long as people enjoy it.

“They are creating their own genre. However, the attention span of people is becoming short. Abhi reel 15 seconds hai, kal ko 2 seconds ho jayega,” he notes.

Bagchi also sheds light on the debate about songs being made specially for Instagram Reels.

“It’s a marketing gimmick. The rules keep changing. It’s good if a specific part of the song is being focused on,” says the musician, who is currently hooked to songs such as Calm Down, Pasoori, and Jhoom.

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Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui was among the many to express their displeasure over the remix of Aap Jaisa Koi, from An Action Hero. He tweeted, “Is there something in the air that the world has suddenly developed a penchant for ruining perfect classics? Even re-creation requires talent. Nazia Hassan must be turning in her grave. #AapJaisaKoi nahi..(sic)”