Music industry veteran Kumar Taurani has made a strong case for recreated versions of old songs in Hindi films, saying every film should carry one — and citing producer Shobha Kapoor, who he claims earned an additional Rs 25 crore because of one such track.
Speaking to trade analyst Komal Nahta alongside his brother Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Taurani pushed back against the popular view that recreations are a worrying trend and that composers should focus only on original compositions.
'Every film should have recreated songs'
Kumar Taurani argued that classic songs with a long legacy, extensive promotion and strong recall value "tend to work big time" when presented in a new avatar. He pointed to recent examples: recreated versions of 'Chunari Chunari' in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (2026) and 'Chamma Chamma' in Fraud Saiyaan (2019), and 'Aankhon Se Tune 2.0' in Bhai Tera Star Hai (2026). According to him, songs that would otherwise get around 20,000 streams suddenly jumped into the millions after being recreated — a benefit that flowed back to the original versions as well.
The Rs 25 crore claim
Kumar Taurani said Shobha Kapoor herself told him that Crew (2024) earned her Rs 25 crore more in her pocket because of 'Choli Ke Peeche'. Ramesh Taurani added that the song's signature "Ku Ku Ku Ku" hook was also used extensively in the film's background score, and that the film's two famous songs — 'Naina' and 'Choli Ke Peeche' — were central to its appeal.
Ramesh Taurani also cited Dhurandhar, which he described as a Rs 1,000 crore grosser, as another major example. He said its recreated tracks — including 'Tamma Tamma', 'Hum Pyaar Karne Waale' and 'Na Toh Karvaan Ki Talaash Hai' — were woven into the narrative in a way that enhanced the impact of the scenes. Kumar Taurani agreed, saying audiences enjoy them even more because they are already familiar with the songs.
All figures and claims above are those made by the Taurani brothers in the interview.
Sources: Bollywood Hungama — Kumar Taurani reveals Shobha Kapoor made an EXTRA Rs. 25 crores due to 'Choli Ke Peeche' in Crew
Speaking to trade analyst Komal Nahta alongside his brother Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Taurani pushed back against the popular view that recreations are a worrying trend and that composers should focus only on original compositions.
'Every film should have recreated songs'
Kumar Taurani argued that classic songs with a long legacy, extensive promotion and strong recall value "tend to work big time" when presented in a new avatar. He pointed to recent examples: recreated versions of 'Chunari Chunari' in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (2026) and 'Chamma Chamma' in Fraud Saiyaan (2019), and 'Aankhon Se Tune 2.0' in Bhai Tera Star Hai (2026). According to him, songs that would otherwise get around 20,000 streams suddenly jumped into the millions after being recreated — a benefit that flowed back to the original versions as well.
The Rs 25 crore claim
Kumar Taurani said Shobha Kapoor herself told him that Crew (2024) earned her Rs 25 crore more in her pocket because of 'Choli Ke Peeche'. Ramesh Taurani added that the song's signature "Ku Ku Ku Ku" hook was also used extensively in the film's background score, and that the film's two famous songs — 'Naina' and 'Choli Ke Peeche' — were central to its appeal.
Ramesh Taurani also cited Dhurandhar, which he described as a Rs 1,000 crore grosser, as another major example. He said its recreated tracks — including 'Tamma Tamma', 'Hum Pyaar Karne Waale' and 'Na Toh Karvaan Ki Talaash Hai' — were woven into the narrative in a way that enhanced the impact of the scenes. Kumar Taurani agreed, saying audiences enjoy them even more because they are already familiar with the songs.
All figures and claims above are those made by the Taurani brothers in the interview.
Sources: Bollywood Hungama — Kumar Taurani reveals Shobha Kapoor made an EXTRA Rs. 25 crores due to 'Choli Ke Peeche' in Crew
