Shashank Khaitan’s Musical Signature: The Old Song, Reimagined

In contemporary cinema, filmmakers often cultivate certain stylistic trademarks that become inseparable from their body of work. For Shashank Khaitan, the writer-director behind some of the most successful romantic dramas of the last decade, one such signature lies not in camera technique or narrative structure, but in his soundtracks. From his very first film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) to his upcoming Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (2025), Khaitan has consistently featured at least one old song, reshaped and reimagined for a new generation.This tendency has drawn both appreciation and criticism. While purists often complain that remixes dilute the originality of Hindi film music, Khaitan’s track record shows that these reimagined numbers are never just tacked on they often become cultural phenomena, expanding his films’ reach and ensuring they stay relevant in India’s ever-changing musical landscape.The Beginning: Saturday Saturday in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014)Khaitan’s debut, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, was marketed as a tribute to the Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge template, but updated for millennials. Alongside fresh tracks like “Samjhawan and Lucky Tu Luck Main,” the film featured “Saturday Saturday,” a club remix originally sung by Indeep Bakshi and Badshah.The Nostalgia Wave: Tamma Tamma Again in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017)Three years later, Khaitan doubled down on the formula with Badrinath Ki Dulhania. Here, the reworked track was “Tamma Tamma Again,” a recreation of the 1990 hit “Tamma Tamma Loge” from Thanedaar, originally featuring Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit.Rendered anew by Badshah and Bappi Lahiri, the song became the centerpiece of the film’s music marketing. The nostalgic value resonated with 90s kids while simultaneously hooking younger audiences through Varun-Alia’s chemistry and high-octane choreography.This was more than just a remix. Khaitan staged the song as a turning point in the film’s narrative, a moment where Badri’s romantic pursuit of Vaidehi takes on a playful, modern flavor.Regional Crossover: Zingaat in Dhadak (2018)For Dhadak, Khaitan faced a daunting task. The film was an official remake of Nagraj Manjule’s Marathi blockbuster Sairat, which had a soundtrack so iconic that any alteration risked alienating fans. And it only made logical to have at least one song from the original soundtrack and that was Zingaat.While the Hindi version did not carry the same rustic authenticity as the Marathi original, it served an important purpose: introducing regional cultural milestones to mainstream Bollywood viewers. The song, choreographed by Farah Khan and performed by Ishaan Khattar and Janhvi Kapoor helped Dhadak reach beyond the remake debates and enter the domain of mass entertainment.A Quirky Turn: Kya Baat Hai 2.0 in Govinda Naam Mera (2022)By the time Govinda Naam Mera released directly on OTT in 2022, Bollywood was saturated with remixes. Yet, Khaitan found a way to keep the formula alive with “Kya Baat Hai 2.0 sung by Harrdy Sandhu with music composed by B Praak and Jaani.” The track was repackaged with Vicky Kaushal and Kiara Advani in sizzling avatars.The film’s quirky, genre-bending narrative part comedy, part thriller needed a peppy track that matched its zany energy. Unlike his earlier nostalgia-driven remixes, this one leaned more on contemporary pop culture than retro memory. It reflected Khaitan’s adaptability in keeping pace with India’s shifting musical consumption patterns.The Latest Move: Bijuria in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (2025)For his upcoming film Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Khaitan has yet again dipped into the nostalgia well with Bijuria, originally a mid-2000s Indipop banger by Sonu Nigam. The revamped version is already creating buzz with its youthful pairing of Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor . While the song has just been released one still doesn't know the context of how the song has been used in the film.Why This Musical Signature WorksMarketing Hook:In an industry where music is a primary promotional tool, re-shaped songs ensure that film has at least one guaranteed attention-grabber. These songs often lead the marketing campaign, giving the film a head start in the box office race.Cross-Generational Appeal:By blending nostalgia with contemporary sounds, new version bridges generational divides. Parents hum along because they remember the original; kids dance because the beats are fresh.Cultural Continuity:Bollywood has always thrived on reusing and reshaping—from ghazals to qawwalis to folk tunes..In an industry often criticized for trend-chasing, Shashank Khaitan has crafted a personal signature one old song, reshaped for the new era, in every film. From Saturday to Bijuria, this consistency marks him out as a director who sees music not just as an accessory but as a cultural bridge.Whether this trend continues or evolves, it has already become an identifiable hallmark of his cinema. For now, as Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari gears up for release, audiences can be certain of at least one thing: they’ll walk out humming a familiar tune, rediscovered and reborn for today.