“A Song Is Bigger Than the Singer”: Usha Uthup Cheers the Revival of ‘Rambha Ho’
One of Usha Uthup’s most iconic songs, “Rambha Ho”, has found fresh resonance with a new generation, thanks to its reimagined version in Dhurandhar, a period spy thriller directed by Aditya Dhar.
Originally featured in Armaan, the song has been recreated by composer Shashwat Sachdev, filmed on Ranveer Singh, and sung by Madhubanti Bagchi.
Far from being unhappy about the reworking of her classic, Usha Uthup says she is thrilled by the song’s renewed popularity. Speaking to Radio Nasha, she recalled how she first encountered the new version.
“Someone sent me the link, and I said, ‘Wow! What is this? It’s fabulous,” she said, adding that she has never believed a song belongs only to one singer.
“I’m not one of those people who feel bad if somebody else sings it. I’m very happy. For it to return with such force is amazing, and Madhubanti has sung it beautifully.”
Usha also revealed that the makers of Dhurandhar did not approach her for her blessings before recreating the track, but that did little to dampen her enthusiasm.
“Whoever Sings It Will Make It Work”
In a separate interview with Republic TV, Usha once again praised Madhubanti Bagchi, recalling that the two even shot a reel together at Trincas in Kolkata.
“I’ve always believed the song is much bigger than the singer. Whoever sings ‘Rambha Ho’ will hit it there,” she said.
Usha noted that she has been performing “Rambha Ho” at her concerts for over four decades, but the new version has given the song an entirely new momentum. “Every show of mine, I have to sing it anyway.
But now it’s coming with a new force. Thanks to Dhurandhar, it’s become even more popular. I don’t even know how many million hits it gets every second on what Gen Z calls Insta—it’s amazing,” she remarked.
Remixes Help Songs Live Longer
Usha Uthup has long maintained that remixes and recreations help songs survive across generations.
In an earlier interview with India Today, she argued that not all remixes should be viewed negatively. “Some melodies would be lost if nobody did another version.
The younger generation might never have heard ‘Babuji Zara Dheere Chalna’ if nobody else sang it,” she said.
The song “Babuji Dheere Chalna” was originally sung by Geeta Dutt, composed by O P Nayyar, and written by Majrooh Sultanpuri for Guru Dutt’s 1954 noir comedy Aar-Paar. Over the decades, it has been recreated several times.
Sharing a broader philosophy, Usha said she believes a timeless song belongs to everyone. “If people still want to sing ‘Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen’, why not? If we don’t have Manna Dey, we have so many wonderful singers today. I feel remixes are more good than bad.”
Originally composed by Ravi and written by Sahir Ludhianvi, “Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen” featured in Yash Chopra’s 1965 blockbuster Waqt.
Among its many reinterpretations, one of the most unconventional versions appeared in Phir Hera Pheri, recreated by Himesh Reshammiya with lyrics by Sameer.
For Usha Uthup, the message is simple: if a song endures, it deserves to be rediscovered—again and again.
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