Asim Azhar fires back after Dr Ejaz Waris slams ‘Tu Hai Wohi’ remix
Pakistani pop sensation Asim Azhar has responded to showbiz critic Dr Ejaz Waris, who slammed the singer's recreated version of the classic track ‘Tu Hai Wohi’, sparking a heated debate among music lovers online.
During a recent Instagram Live session, Asim addressed the criticism surrounding his rendition of the iconic song, which originally gained legendary status through the voice of Indian playback singer Kishore Kumar and remains a favorite among generations of listeners.
Without initially mentioning Dr Ejaz by name, Asim reacted to the harsh reviews directed at his remake.
“I won't take his name, but I was watching his video where he said that Asim Azhar has completely ruined the song. For those who prefer the original version, I didn't make this song for them. I made it for the new generation so they can be introduced to these timeless classics.”
The singer suggested that the remake was never intended to replace the original track but rather serve as a bridge connecting younger audiences with classic music.
“I don't know why he seemed so hurt by it. I really felt like saying, 'Uncle, I didn't make it for your age group. You can keep listening to the original version.' I wasn't trying to make something better than the original. I simply liked the song and wanted to recreate it.”
Asim then playfully referenced the song itself while mentioning the critic.
“For Dr Ejaz, I would just say: Tu Hai Wohi Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha...”
Despite disagreeing with the criticism, the singer was careful to acknowledge his personal respect for Dr Ejaz Waris.
“He's actually a very nice person. I met him when I was younger and appeared on his radio show. He's always been very sweet.”
However, Asim questioned the critic's credibility when it comes to reviewing entertainment content.
“I had already stopped taking his criticism seriously when I heard some of his reviews about Pakistani films. I've watched those movies myself in cinemas, and I didn't agree with many of his opinions.”
The singer recalled one particular review that shaped his view.
“There was a film called Luv Di Saun. Many people worked hard on it, but technically I didn't think it was a good film. Yet I felt his criticism wasn't accurate either. That's when I realized I don't always agree with his reviews.”
The remarks came shortly after Dr Ejaz Waris publicly criticized Asim's version of Tu Hai Wohi, arguing that the remake diluted the essence and legacy of the beloved classic. The critic's comments quickly gained traction on social media, with users divided over whether iconic songs should be modernized for younger audiences.