FIVE BOLLYWOOD TRACKS RIFFING ON ARABIC TUNES

The love between Bollywood and the Arab entertainment world goes both ways. While Douzi’s version of Radio joins a growing list of Arab version of Hindi hits, which include Moroccan stars Grini and Jamila’s version of Zaalima from the action drama Raees,

Didi

The rai music classic by Algeria’s Cheb Khaled has been a favourite of Bollywood over the years, with a new version appearing roughly every decade or so. The latest to appear was in the 2015 hostage drama Airlift starring Akshay Kumar and partly shot in Ras Al Khaimah. Sung by Arijit Singh, this Didi is a rather

thrilling blend of both worlds with its sea of ouds, Arabic percussion and Shehnai flutes.

Ya Ali

There is a fine line between inspiration and copying. The jury is still out regarding Pritam’s

Ya Ali, which is pretty similar to Kuwaiti band Guitara’s Ya Ghali. The Hindi song was composed for the 2006 crime film Gangster (three years after Ya Ghali was released) starring Emraan

Hashmi. Guitara were not happy with Pritam’s version, reportedly calling it a rip-off. Pritam said the song was inspired by an old Muslim folk song. Hop online and hear both versions and you be the judge.

Dil Ne Ye Kaha Hai

More inspired by, rather than a proper cover, Dil Ne Ye Kaha Hai was taken from Saudi crooner Abdul Majeed Abdullah’s Ahebak Leh Ana Madri of the 1980s. Sung by Udit Narayan, it is majestic, and makes good use of Khaleeji music’s penchant for lush orchestration.

Deewana Kar Raha Hai

Taken from the 2012 Bollywood horror film, Raaz 3 starring Emraan Hashmi and Bipasha

Basu, the romantic number acts as a welcome respite among all the film’s supernatural action. Sung by Javed Ali, it wouldn’t take too long for Arabic pop aficionados to realise it takes its inspiration from Egyptian crooner Mohamed Hamaki’s Ana Law Azeto.

Kaho Na Kaho

Sometimes a tune is too good to be messed with. Such was the case with Kaho Na Kaho, sung by Amir Jamal for the 2002 drama, Murder. Lifted from Egyptian superstar Amr Diab’s 2000 hit Tamally Maak, the Hindi version is considered a favourite and won Jamal a Best Playback Singer Award at a Bollywood award show.