Mustafa Zahid Says He Finally Received Dignity After 'Awarapan 2' Release

Producer Vishesh Bhatt has addressed criticism over Pakistani singer Mustafa Zahid not returning to recreate the songs Tera Mera Rishta and To Phir Aao for Awarapan 2. Zahid originally sang both tracks in the 2007 film, and they went on to become some of the most remembered songs from the movie. While some fans viewed his absence from the recreated versions as disrespectful, Bhatt has rejected that interpretation and said the decision was driven by creative considerations.

Bhatt said he expected questions about Zahid's non-return but described some of the criticism as being driven by discussions on the internet. He argued that an artist's contribution to a project remains part of their legacy regardless of whether they return for a sequel or recreation. According to the producer, fans can sometimes make artists feel that their contribution has been overlooked, even when the filmmakers do not intend to diminish their work.

The producer also explained that recreating a hugely popular song is difficult regardless of who performs it. He said bringing Zahid back would not automatically have made the task easier because audiences have strong emotional associations with the original recordings. Bhatt pointed out that recreating iconic songs can create enormous expectations, making it challenging for musicians to match or improve upon performances that have already become defining moments in their careers.

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The new versions of Tera Mera Rishta and To Phir Aao feature Saaj Bhatt and Subodhh Sharma. However, Zahid's original voice has still been retained in Awarapan 2, which opens with the original version of To Phir Aao. Zahid reacted positively to this inclusion, recalling the significance of the songs nearly two decades after the first film. He said hearing his voice at the beginning of the sequel, followed by the audience's response, gave him a sense that his contribution had received the recognition and appreciation he wanted.

Zahid also clarified that he had no objection to new singers being given an opportunity to perform the songs. He said that when he was approached about his music being used in the sequel, he was open to making space for new voices. His primary expectation, according to his statement, was to receive dignity and proper credit for his contribution to the original film's musical legacy. The singer's comments suggest that he ultimately appreciated the way his original recording was incorporated into the sequel.

Awarapan 2 brings back Emraan Hashmi as Shivam Pandit nearly two decades after the original film. Directed by Nitin Kakkar, the sequel also stars Disha Patani, Shabana Azmi, Puran Gabbi, Suvinder Vicky, Vijayant Kohli and Atul Kumar. The film has reportedly earned around ₹113 crore net in India and more than ₹161 crore worldwide during its first week, while the continued presence of the original songs has helped maintain the connection between the two films.

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