Alia Bhatt's version of Ilayaraja's 'Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le' is a fun tribute with a Shah Rukh stamp

The Dear Zindagi hangover might take some time to subside for Alia Bhatt. The actress has crooned a wonderful remixed version of Ilayaraja's famous melody 'Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le' for the Dear Zindagi album. 

Composed by Amit Trivedi, the Dear Zindagi Take 2 track provides a fresh new layer to a lilting and very popular melody. Considering how the song holds nostalgic value for many fans, it is quite a risk for Bhatt and Trivedi to take on. However, the track certainly holds up to critical examination. Adapted to a new taste, Trivedi sets it to a faster rhythm transforming the song completely. Bhatt's voice departs from the innocent, throwback style of Suresh Wadkar to add a more carefree attitude to the song. Throw in a signature Shah Rukh Khan pose, and you have a fun song that will definitely lift you up everytime you hear it. 

The original track was composed by Ilayaraja and sung by Wadkar for the film Sadma (1983). The actress is certainly not the first to take on this classic track. Arijit Singh had recently sung and composed a reprise version of the song. Neither is this Bhatt's first time in front of the microphone. The actress has already sung for her last two hits, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) and Udta Punjab (2016). 

Dear Zindagi, directed by Gauri Shinde, earned rave reviews for its content and a fresh perspective on the issue of mental health and depression. Bhatt earned praise for her portrayal as the confused, angry, and depressed young woman looking for a way out. 

Bhatt is certainly a good actor, but her singing ability is certainly adding to the shine of her stardom.