The much-anticipated Bollywood rendition of Pakistani singer Ali Zafar’s chart-topping track ‘Jhoom’ has finally hit all streaming platforms, receiving a seal of approval from the original artist himself.
The revamped version, titled ‘Dil Jhoom,’ is part of the upcoming Bollywood film Crakk and features the dynamic collaboration of Indian playback singer Shreya Ghoshal and composer Vishal Mishra.
Released by the renowned music label T-Series on January 15, ‘Dil Jhoom’ marks a cross-border musical endeavor, bringing together artists from India and Pakistan. While the anticipation and subsequent reception sparked discussions on both sides of the border, Ali Zafar, the man behind the original ‘Jhoom,’ expressed contentment with Bollywood’s recreation.
In a quote response on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), Zafar commended the rendition, stating, “Good stuff. I like it,” demonstrating his approval for the adaptation.
Good stuff. I like it. 🫶🏻 #DilJhoom #Jhoom https://t.co/8nIGpKjFSU
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) January 15, 2024
Given the often-controversial history of cultural exchanges between Pakistan and India, ‘Dil Jhoom’ stands out for its adherence to due protocols and crediting the original artist. Zafar’s name prominently features in promotional materials, and the description under the YouTube music video acknowledges him for having “originally written and composed” the song.
This nod to proper accreditation contrasts with recent claims of plagiarism in the music industry. Pakistani singer Omer Nadeem accused T-Series of copying his 2009 song ‘Aey Khuda’ without due credit in the 2023 release ‘Sun Zara.’ Such disputes have fueled debates over artistic integrity and originality in cross-border collaborations.
Shreya Ghoshal, the powerhouse vocalist behind ‘Dil Jhoom,’ took to X to express her deep admiration for Ali Zafar. Prefacing her note with a verse from the song’s chorus, Ghoshal declared herself a ‘big fan’ of the Pakistani crooner. She eagerly anticipated the collaboration, sharing her excitement for fans to experience the reimagined track in ‘Crakk.’
Ali Zafar, in response to the news of his hit song being reimagined, showed grace and gratitude. On X, he welcomed the homage, stating, “Thank you for your kind words, Shreya Ghoshal. You’re one of the most inspiring and iconic singers of our time.”
Check out the song here:
