Emraan Hashmi on 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne': Nostalgia of reuniting with Himesh and Aditya
Synopsis
More than 20 years after 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' defined an era of Bollywood music, Emraan Hashmi, Himesh Reshammiya, and director Aditya Datt are back together — and they insist this isn't a nostalgia trip. The new track 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' from Gunmaaster G9, featuring Emraan opposite Genelia Deshmukh for the first time, is their bid to make that legacy relevant for a new generation.
Key Takeaways
Gunmaaster G9 dropped its new romantic track 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' on 23 September 2026 .
The song reunites Emraan Hashmi , Himesh Reshammiya , and director Aditya Datt — their first collaboration since 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' in 2005 .
The track is written, composed, and sung by Himesh Reshammiya , with vocals also from Asees Kaur .
It is the first on-screen pairing of Emraan Hashmi and Genelia Deshmukh .
The music was crafted over eight to nine months of collaborative sessions, according to director Aditya Datt.
Gunmaaster G9 is set for a worldwide theatrical release on 27 November 2026 .
Actor Emraan Hashmi has opened up about the deep sense of nostalgia surrounding the release of the new track 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' from the upcoming action-romance film Gunmaaster G9, which reunites him with composer-singer Himesh Reshammiya and director Aditya Datt more than two decades after their first collaboration. The song was unveiled on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
A Reunion Two Decades in the Making
Emraan, Himesh, and Aditya had first worked together on the 2005 film 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne', whose music became a defining soundtrack of that era. Their coming together on Gunmaaster G9 has reignited fan excitement, with the brief glimpse of the new track in the film's teaser having already generated significant buzz online.
Emraan said in a statement: 'There is a lot of nostalgia attached to Himesh, Aditya and me coming together again. But the idea was never to recreate the past. 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' has its own emotion and its own place in Gunmaaster G9. That is what makes this reunion exciting.'
Making of the Track
Written and composed by Himesh Reshammiya, the romantic track is sung by Reshammiya and Asees Kaur. It features Emraan alongside actress Genelia Deshmukh, marking their first on-screen pairing.
Director Aditya Datt revealed the song was the product of an intensive, months-long creative process. 'We worked on the music for more than eight-nine months. We all sat together, we jammed, we created and we wrote. That whole process has been superb,' he said, adding that producer Deepak Mukut was instrumental in making the reunion possible.
Reshammiya described the challenge of crafting music that serves both the story and the listener. 'To compose such great, audio-friendly tracks while being true to the story was a task. But God has been kind to bless me with these melodies as a singer and composer. Working with Aditya is always a pleasure, as he has a great understanding of music,' he said.
Genelia's First Time with Emraan
For Genelia Deshmukh, the track represents a milestone — her first collaboration with Emraan Hashmi on screen. She noted that the song plays at a crucial juncture in the narrative. 'This is the first time I am teaming up with Emraan and what better way to do it than a Emraan and Himesh number in a film,' she said, calling the track 'magic.'
What to Expect from Gunmaaster G9
The film also stars Aparshakti Khurana and Abhishek Singh. It is produced by Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut, and Sangeeta Ahir, and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., a SRE Studio LLP production. Directed by Aditya Datt, Gunmaaster G9 is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on 27 November 2026.
Producer Deepak Mukut summed up the anticipation: 'Emraan and Himesh coming together again is special because their music has a history with the audience. 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' brings that familiar combination into a completely new film and to a new generation.'
With the full track now out, all eyes will be on audience response as the film builds toward its November release.
Point of View
And its revival will be closely watched as a test of whether nostalgia can translate to streaming numbers and box-office pull in 2026. The pairing of Emraan with Genelia — two actors associated with very different audience demographics — is an interesting creative gamble that could widen the film's reach. What's notable is that the team spent eight to nine months on the music alone, signalling a deliberate, craft-first approach rather than a quick nostalgia cash-in. Whether that investment pays off will depend on how well the songs serve the film's action-romance narrative rather than overshadowing it.
NationPress
23 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' and which film is it from?
'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' is a romantic track from the upcoming Bollywood film Gunmaaster G9, directed by Aditya Datt. It was released on 23 September 2026 and features Emraan Hashmi and Genelia Deshmukh.
Why is the Emraan Hashmi and Himesh Reshammiya reunion significant?
The two last collaborated on 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' in 2005, a film whose music became a cultural touchstone of that era. Their reunion on Gunmaaster G9 — alongside director Aditya Datt — marks the trio's first joint project in over two decades.
Who has sung 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne'?
The track is sung by Himesh Reshammiya and Asees Kaur. It was also written and composed by Reshammiya.
When is Gunmaaster G9 releasing in cinemas?
Gunmaaster G9 is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 27 November 2026. The film is directed by Aditya Datt and produced by Deepak Mukut, Hunar Mukut, and Sangeeta Ahir.
Is this the first time Emraan Hashmi and Genelia Deshmukh are appearing together on screen?
Yes, 'Afsaana Banaaya Aapne' marks the first on-screen pairing of Emraan Hashmi and Genelia Deshmukh. Genelia herself confirmed this, describing it as a memorable way to debut alongside Emraan with a Himesh Reshammiya composition.
