Shashaa Tirupati: I’m still known as the Humma Humma girl; it brought many more offers

Singer Shashaa Tirupati says that after The Humma Song from the film OK Jaanu was released, she was overwhelmed by the response — though she had sung other songs, this was like a proper entry into Bollywood.

Shashaa Tirupati considers The Humma Song from OK Jaanu as her “entry song” in Bollywood. The singer, who started her career in the industry by doing playback for films such as Bumm Bumm Bole (2010), Turning 30!!! (2011), and Be Careful (2011), shares that it was the remixed version of the track originally composed by AR Rahman that propelled her to fame. The original was sung by Remo Fernandes for the film Bombay, 1995, directed by Mani Ratnam. The music for the new version is by Tanishk Bagchi and Badshah.

Singer Shashaa Tirupati says The Humma Song (from OK Jaanu) is one of the most viewed songs online. (Instagram/sashasublime)

“Even after singing several songs in Bollywood, I didn’t get the popularity that Humma Humma gave me. I think it was my entry song in Bollywood. After it released, I started getting more offers from the industry. Also, the response I received from music lovers was overwhelming. It’s one of the most viewed songs on YouTube, and I feel that’s an accomplishment in itself. I am known as the Humma Humma girl,” Shashaa says, adding that she was happy when Rahman, whom she considers her mentor, also enjoyed the way she sang the song.

Remaking old hits is now the trend in Bollywood — there are Haseeno Ka Deewana (Kaabil); Laila Main Laila (Raees); and Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12, and Oonchi Hai Building 2.0 (Judwaa 2), among others. Shashaa likes the way how the old and new versions have different appeal.

“I like that both the versions have their own colour. Being a musician, any song that sounds interesting and appealing works for me, even if that means revisiting an old song. If you listen to Humma Humma, the arrangement is funky and quite energetic; yet at the same time, the charm of the old song has been kept intact. On the other hand, as an artist, I think we should make new songs. One never knows, the songs that are being made now might get recreated after 25 years,” adds Shashaa, who has recently sung for films such as Mom, Jab Harry Met Sejal, and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. She also has a song in an upcoming film starring Vidya Balan.

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