Anu Malik praises 'Chunnari Chunnari' remake starring Varun Dhawan
Synopsis
The composer who made 'Chunnari Chunnari' a 1999 blockbuster says its remake is just as timeless. Anu Malik's Instagram endorsement of Varun Dhawan's version — and his warm words for David Dhawan — signal that Bollywood's nostalgia economy has at least one original creator firmly on board.
Key Takeaways
Anu Malik , original composer of 'Chunnari Chunnari' , has praised the song's remake on Instagram .
The original featured Salman Khan in the 1999 film 'Biwi No.1' ; the remake features Varun Dhawan .
The remake appears in the upcoming film 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' , directed by David Dhawan .
The film also stars Pooja Hegde , Mrunal Thakur , Maniesh Paul , Chunky Panday , Jimmy Sheirgill , and Mouni Roy .
The remake has drawn mixed reactions from audiences, even as Malik called the song an all-time superhit.
Veteran music composer Anu Malik has thrown his full weight behind the remake of 'Chunnari Chunnari', calling the track timeless and expressing delight at seeing it reimagined for Varun Dhawan in the upcoming film 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'. The original song was a defining chartbuster from the 1999 Salman Khan-starrer 'Biwi No.1', which Malik had composed.
What Anu Malik Said
Malik shared a video on Instagram reacting to the remake, offering an effusive endorsement. 'The song was a superhit before, it's a superhit today, and it will remain a superhit tomorrow too,' he said, summing up his view in one line.
In his post, he elaborated: 'Guys, it's been so long since I saw the song on a superstar on Varun Dhawan's face. Earlier also this song was super hit when it came on Salman Khan. And Salman Khan took it to a different level.'
He added: 'And today again when I saw Varun, I was jumping with joy. What a dance, those girls are looking so beautiful… Pehle bhi gaana super hit tha, aaj bhi super hit aur kal bhi super hit rahega.' He also praised director David Dhawan, with whom he has collaborated extensively, saying any film by David is always worth watching.
About the Film
'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai', directed by David Dhawan, stars Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur in the lead roles. The film follows a man desperate to become a father who finds himself entangled in a chaotic situation involving two women. The supporting cast includes Maniesh Paul, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Mouni Roy.
Mixed Reactions to the Remake
The revamped version of 'Chunnari Chunnari' has drawn mixed responses from audiences and film enthusiasts, with some welcoming the nostalgia play and others questioning the growing trend of remaking classic Bollywood tracks. Notably, the original song's enduring popularity has made it a frequent reference point in conversations about 1990s Hindi film music.
The Original's Legacy
The 1999 version, featuring Salman Khan, became one of the defining pop-dance numbers of late-1990s Bollywood. Malik's compositions for 'Biwi No.1' were a commercial high point of that era, and the song's reappearance underscores how Hindi film remakes continue to lean on that decade's catalogue. The new film's release will test whether the track can replicate its original mass appeal with a new generation of audiences.
Point of View
But it also highlights a tension at the heart of Bollywood's remake culture: the original creators are often the loudest cheerleaders, yet audience fatigue with recycled classics is real and growing. The mixed cinephile reaction to this remake is not an outlier — it is part of a pattern. Hindi film music's nostalgia economy has been strip-mining the 1990s for years, and each new remake raises the question of whether the industry is building new cultural capital or simply drawing down on old deposits. David Dhawan's involvement adds a layer of continuity, but continuity alone does not guarantee relevance.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who originally composed 'Chunnari Chunnari'?
'Chunnari Chunnari' was originally composed by veteran music composer Anu Malik for the 1999 Salman Khan film 'Biwi No.1'. The song became one of the defining pop-dance numbers of late-1990s Bollywood.
Which film features the remake of 'Chunnari Chunnari'?
The remake appears in 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai', directed by David Dhawan. The film stars Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur in the lead roles.
What did Anu Malik say about the remake?
Anu Malik called the song timeless, saying it was a superhit in 1999, is a superhit today, and will remain one tomorrow. He shared his reaction in a video posted on Instagram, also praising Varun Dhawan's dancing and director David Dhawan.
Who else is in the cast of 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'?
Beyond the leads Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur, the film features Maniesh Paul, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Mouni Roy in supporting roles.
How have audiences reacted to the 'Chunnari Chunnari' remake?
Audience reactions have been mixed, according to reports, with some viewers welcoming the nostalgic callback and others expressing reservations — a response that reflects broader debate around the trend of remaking classic Bollywood songs.
