In a surprising move, Bollywood’s announcement of remaking the iconic Pakistani masterpiece “Pasoori” for its upcoming musical film, “Satyaprem Ki Katha,” has ignited a social media firestorm.
The news, however, has not generated excitement but rather a tidal wave of annoyance and anger, particularly among Pakistani social media users.
The highly-anticipated film stars the talented duo of Kartik Aaryan and Kiara Advani, with Indian singer Arijit Singh lending his voice to the revamped rendition of the original track performed by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill.
T-Series took to Twitter, proclaiming, “Relive the global hit! Your favourite track is coming soon. #PasooriNu Song Out Tomorrow.”
Yet, Pakistani Twitterati responded with resounding disapproval. Criticism poured in, with Pakistani actor Adnan Siddiqui voicing concern that Bollywood may “slaughter” this masterpiece as it has done with previous remakes.
A Twitter user questioned the necessity of the remake, urging the creators to utilize Arijit Singh’s talent for an original composition. Another user expressed righteous anger, asking if Bollywood lacked any other singer besides Singh.
The outrage gained momentum as netizens accused Bollywood of shamelessly remaking and “butchering” Pakistani hits, some even cynically predicting that the Indian film industry would eventually plagiarize Pakistan’s national anthem.
Bollywood was labelled as a cheater for their recurrent habit of remaking Pakistani songs. The original “Pasoori” song from Coke Studio season 14 resonated globally, serving as a source of solace during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ali Sethi’s soulful voice intertwined with Shae Gill’s melodic vocals, forging a profound connection that transcended borders, resonating with the youth and older generations.
Despite the brewing controversy, the makers of “Satyaprem Ki Katha” are fervently promoting the film, unveiling multiple tracks from its captivating soundtrack.
Directed by Sameer Vidhwans, the movie orbits around Kartik Aaryan’s character, Satyaprem, a Gujarati virgin in a relentless pursuit of matrimony. His journey takes an enchanting turn when he discovers true love in the form of Kiara Advani’s character, Katha. The film showcases its heartwarming love story, set to enchant audiences as it hits theatres on June 29.
