The criticism is valid, admits Sidharth Malhotra on 'Masakali 2.0' outrage

With the whole country in lockdown, it is quite an achievement to still manage to hog the limelight. Sidharth Malhotra and Tara Sutaria are in the uncomfortable position of having done just that after the heavy criticism of their performance in the single, 'Masakali 2.0'. In addition to critics and audiences, the song was panned by the original composer, AR Rahman, lyricist Prasoon Joshi and Delhi-6 (2009) director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.

Speaking to film critic Rajeev Masand, Malhotra said he understands the anger over the remix. "It happened vis-a-vis a movie, Marjaavan (2019), as a promotional song at the time," he said. "I mean, everyone is to blame for it as a team, but I have done remakes in the past of different artistes. Whether it was a 'Kaala Chashma' [Baar Baar Dekho (2016)] or 'Chull' [Kapoor And Sons (2016)], they have all been recreations and have all worked really well in the past. There is no conversation of whether I endorse it or not endorse it. Whether it is good or bad."

While not wanting to blame anyone, Malhotra said, "I keep thinking from an actor’s point of view, if someone had to remake a film that I have been a part of, and it has not been done with utmost taste or to someone’s satisfaction, of course, it can be annoying. So in that case, yes, it is completely valid."

The actor went on to add that the trend of remixes is dying and will not work for audiences anymore. He said, "They are not excited by the fact that we are not creating new melodies. As a listener, I agree. As an actor also, I would be far more excited to hear a new song. A few years ago, my playlist would have Kishore Kumar songs, and the more you listen to them, you realize the poetry within them."

He added, "I think I get that, and I hope we come back to that zone."

Composed by Tanishk Bagchi, 'Masakali 2.0' earned massive criticism online as well as a rare rebuke from the usually reticent Rahman. The composer took to social media to describe the arduous process of composing a song, saying, "no shortcuts" and asking his audience to "listen to the original".