Who would have thought that we would hear a Senegalese American R&B performer singing a Hindi item number? And yet, here we have thousands of Akon and Shah Rukh Khan fans going gaga over Akon’s Wanna Be My Chammak Challo, the item number of SRK’s big Diwali release, Ra.One.
Sadly for SRK, who wanted it to be a surprise, the rough cut of the song leaked on the Internet causing it to be an instant hit online. So much so that it became a trending topic on Twitter and it received over 9 lakh hits on You Tube! Farah G, marketing professional, says she’s heard it a gazillion times. “I think it’s fabulous and by far one of the best tracks by Akon. His Hindi diction is perfect and the beats are so catchy. It’s going to be a rage once Ra.One releases.”
As soon as the song was leaked on the Internet, youngsters uploaded it on social networking sites and everyone was humming Tu meri chammak challo, Teri picture ka main hero. Needless to say, there are at least five pages dedicated to the song on Facebook. And after Munni and Sheila, Kareena Kapoor will be seen as the ‘Chammak Challo’ in this item number. Karishma D, a third year student, loves grooving to the song. “It’s Akon with a desi touch! Who wouldn’t like it? And the most amazing part is that he sounds almost Indian when he’s singing the Hindi parts. He’s such a versatile singer!”
But Parab S, an advertising professional is not impressed. He’s heard the song and says it’s not big deal to get an international star to sing a desi number. “I agree it’s groovy but I think it’s just another feather in our list of ‘item numbers’ and like always, SRK’s managed to be the first to get someone like Akon to sing in Hinglish. No biggie,” he insists.