Back in 2022, the music industry witnessed one of its most heated debates when Neha Kakkar released O Sajna, a modern remake of Falguni Pathak’s beloved 1999 classic Maine Payal Hai Chhankai. What was meant to be another trendy recreation quickly turned into a full-blown controversy, with fans and even Falguni herself blasting the new version for destroying the charm of the original.
The track, composed by Tanishk Bagchi, featured Neha in the music video alongside Dhanashree Verma and Priyank Sharma. While it carried the famous hook line from the original, it introduced new lyrics and beats. Instead of nostalgia, though, it sparked outrage. Viewers called it “cheap” and “unnecessary,” and soon, Falguni Pathak herself joined the chorus of disapproval.
Speaking to Mirchi Plus, she said, "Adapt karo lekin acchi tarike se karo. Remixes ban rahe hai aajkal aur acche bhi ban rahe hai jo humlog bhi stage pe gaate hai. Lekin usko acchi tarah se use karo na. Tum usko faltu kyu bana dete ho (Adapt but do it well. There are so many remixes being made well and even we sing it on stage. But do it well. Why do you spoil it)?”
Speaking to Delhi Times at the time, Falguni did not hold back. She revealed her reaction when she first heard O Sajna: “I got to know about the remixed version three-four days back. First reaction was not good. I was like, mujhe bas ulti aani baaki thi, aisa ho gaya tha (I was about to puke, it was like that).”
For millions who grew up with her original track, Maine Payal Hai Chhankai wasn’t just a song; it was a cultural moment. The music video, featuring a simple love story and innocent college vibes, became a symbol of the 90s indie pop era. That innocence, Falguni felt, had been stripped away. “Video aur picturisation mein jo innocence thi, uska pura satyanash kiya hai iss gaane mein (The video and picturisation had such innocence but they have ruined it).”
She didn’t dismiss remixes outright but insisted they should be handled with care. “Remixes are happening but do it in a decent way. If you want to reach out to the younger generation, change the rhythm of the song, but don’t make it cheap. Don’t change the originality of the song.”
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Interestingly, while fans demanded legal action, Falguni admitted she had no power to sue. In another interview with Pinkvilla, she said: “I wish I could but the rights are not with me.”
Still, she didn’t need to file a case to make her voice heard. She reposted fans’ angry reactions on her Instagram stories, amplifying their frustration. “I don’t think I need to do anything; my fans are taking action against the song. I am just sharing the stories. Why should I keep quiet when they are supporting me, main kaise chup baithun (why should I keep quiet).”
On the other side, Neha Kakkar responded indirectly on Instagram, saying she felt “too blessed to have bad days” and was “sorry for” people who couldn’t be happy with her happiness. But the damage was done.
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