Bollywood’s growing obsession with remixing old chartbusters has once again landed in the middle of a social media storm. This time, it is the recreated version of Chunnari Chunnari from Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai that has sparked strong reactions online.

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Originally featured in the 1999 blockbuster Biwi No. 1, the iconic number starred Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen and continues to enjoy cult status among Bollywood music lovers. The newly launched version now features Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur, with music rearranged by Akshay Raheja and Abhishek Singh. The dance video has been choreographed by Remo D’Souza.

But instead of nostalgia, the remake appears to have triggered frustration among a section of viewers. 

Fans Say the Original Couldn’t Be Matched

Minutes after clips of the song began circulating online, comment sections quickly filled with criticism. Many users questioned Bollywood’s repeated attempts to recreate beloved tracks from the past.

One user said, “Why do they have to butcher the OG songs always?”

Another comment read, “What was the need to remake this original song? What do they even gain by doing all this? On YouTube, 90% of the comments are saying that the Salman & Sushmita version of the Chunari Chunari song is still unbeatable today.”

A third user wrote, “Thanks for destroying the cult song. Not even 1% of the original.”

Across platforms, several viewers argued that the energy, chemistry and charm of the original track remain impossible to recreate.

Remake phle bhi barbaad hue hai but ye to bilkul top p hai uske 1% bhi dekha ni jaa rha hai

— Rehman Dakait (Lyari vale) (@BindassBhedu25) May 26, 2026

@BeingSalmanKhan bhai dekh rahe ho kya atyaachaar ho raha hai aap ke legendary gaane ke saath

— I am Groot (@letsplaybeach) May 26, 2026

They destroyed this too 🥲 https://t.co/ze4HsY7Rw0

— talrosh luvbot 🫶 (@baat_talrosh) May 26, 2026

Salman Khan’s Joke Becomes the Evening’s Highlight

Amid the online chatter, an interesting moment involving Salman Khan and Varun Dhawan also caught attention during the David Dhawan Film Festival organised by PVR INOX. The special event celebrated filmmaker David Dhawan and his long-standing contribution to Hindi cinema.

While Varun attended the festival with his father, Salman’s appearance became one of the biggest talking points of the night.

During a light-hearted interaction with the audience, Salman jokingly referred to the recreated song and remarked, “Isne mera ek aur gaana uthaya.”

The playful comment left the crowd laughing, while Varun appeared embarrassed and quickly replied, “Bhai rehne do (please stop it, brother).”

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Not the First Salman Song Recreation for Varun

Interestingly, this is not the first occasion where Varun Dhawan has featured in recreated versions of Salman Khan’s famous songs. The actor had previously appeared in remakes of Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12 and Oonchi Hai Building, both of which had also generated mixed reactions from audiences.

However, for many fans Chunnari Chunnari remains one of those Bollywood classics they believe should have been left untouched.