Bypass Road song 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan': Jubin Nautiyal's remake misses the whole point about the serene original 

Naman Nitin Mukesh's directorial debut, Bypass Road (2019) has all the hallmarks of a home production. With brother Neil Nitin Mukesh writing the story, and taking on the lead role, the film also has the iconic 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan' from father, Nitin Mukesh's collection to add to its repertoire.

Remixed by Raaj Ashoo, the song transforms the original ballad on urban existentialism and loneliness into a pumping, seductive disco number. Therein, lies the problem. 

The song is set in a discotheque, with Neil Nitin Mukesh's hero laying eyes on Adah Sharma as she walks in. Finally, when he gets her attention, the two break out into a jig to the background of Nitin Mukesh's voice singing 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan'. The refrain of the last few lines from the original, have been balanced out with additional lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed, put to voice by Jubin Nautiyal. 

While the song is picturised quite seductively, with women in cages cavorting to the strobe lights and dim interiors of a disco, it somehow does not fit in with the construct of the original song. 

Written by Javed Akhtar and sung by Nitin Mukesh for Tezaab (1988), the original song was a ballad on loneliness and loss sung by a group of street orphans on the run. The entire song revolves around a sense of urban existentialism for its characters. 

In the upgraded version, it becomes a song about finding love while the world has gone to sleep. It could be interesting, except that it fails to generate that interest through the music or the visuals. Raaj Aashoo's composition sounds overtly simple, and uses the same staples that have now become familiar for any remix. 

Nautiyal does his best, and is complemented by Saloni Thakkar, but the vapid lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed offer them little help. The only respite is the voice of Nitin Mukesh reminding us of the solitude and peace of the original number. 

Watch the full song below, and let us know if you are keen to watch the film.