Asha Bhosle, a veteran singer whose classic song “Jhumka Gira Re” was recently remixed and used as “What Jhumka” in Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, has spoken out about the remixing of old songs and claimed that if today’s music directors had the ability to write new songs, they wouldn’t be rehashing the classics. The music video for the song featured Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.

“If the music directors had the ability, or the singers, to bring something new… they don’t have the ability, which is why they are recreating old songs,” Asha stated in an interview with India Today. She continued, “For instance, today ‘Jhumka Gira Re’ is working so well. The song, which features Sadhana, is from the 1966 movie Mera Saaya. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan wrote the lyrics for the music director Madan Mohan’s original song.

After then, Asha discussed the timeless tunes, saying, “These songs have lyrics, singers, and music. It combines all of these things. Not just that, but also the actors. The picturization would not have been as effective if the cinematographer had not captured the music adequately. It involves everyone. That is how a good song is created.”

Asha responded that every musician put forth a lot of effort when writing a song back then, which may have contributed to the earlier songs’ greater effect. “Those songs required a lot of labour. The composer and lyricist would have a conversation. Every phrase would be discussed. Even the most famous lyricists would contend for each word. “I want that word, not this word,” was said. Each side put forth a lot of effort, she recalled. Asha recently stated in an interview with Hindustan Times that she does not listen to many of the new songs because she believes they are poorly constructed.