They can remix the song, not its soul: Saapna Mukerji hits back on replacing original voices

With over 400 songs to her credit, from Oye Oye and Tirchi Topi Wale to Dil Le Gayi Teri Bindiya, singer Saapna Mukerji is bringing her musical journey back to centre stage with The Oye Oye Show on March 17 at St.

Andrew's Auditorium. In this candid interview, she speaks about legacy, remixes, spirituality and why live performance still defines her. Your voice defined 90s blockbusters, and today you’re also releasing independent singles. How has your approach changed? In the 90s, playback singing was tied to a film’s story and characters. The emotion had to serve the narrative. Today, independent music isn’t bound by visuals.

Whether it’s something celebratory, romantic or spiritual, the focus is purely on emotional intent. The shift is not from mainstream to devotional — it is from interpretation to ownership. You’ve spoken about remixes replacing original voices. Does that concern you? A version can never replace the original. Its strength exists only because there is an original. They can remix the song, not its soul. When a singer has created legacy songs, that voice is part of the song’s identity.

Composers and singers all have their own space in that journey. On stage, however, we own the space — and that direct connection with the audience keeps the music alive.How do you preserve your identity in an era of remixes?Legacy cannot be replaced. The strength of any new version comes from the original. The golden era endured because of emotional honesty and melody. What makes 90s music endure across generations? Melody and emotional honesty. We relied on our natural voices, not technology. Songs were not engineered to sound perfect — they carried a human moment. That human element is what makes them timeless. Melody outlives everything.Is The Oye Oye Show a comeback? It’s not a comeback, it’s a continuation. These songs are still loved. The show simply brings them back into a shared live space. They are not memories — they are living melodies. What can audiences expect from the show? It’s a full live musical experience. Along with my hits, I will pay tribute to legends who shaped Indian music. It’s my shraddhanjali to the voices that inspired generations. Composer Nitin Shankar will perform with his band, and musician-singer Derrick Alexander joins us on stage. Together, we recreate not just songs but the emotional space melody creates between performer and listener. Do you see 90s songs and this show as nostalgia ?When I perform these songs today, what I see is not nostalgia, I see continuity. These songs are still alive because people continue to love them. They are not memories. They are living melodies. And in many ways, this moment is not about looking back. It is about bringing melody forward again.What does performing live mean to you today? Live performance is where everything becomes real. It is where the voice meets the listener. It is where the song becomes a shared experience. The stage is where music breathes. And that connection is what keeps the journey alive. I am simply a singer. Melody is my language. The stage feels like home. Music is my way of communicating with people and with God. When I sing, it becomes a dialogue. How do you see your journey now? It is still evolving. With every riyaaz, every song, I grow. Music is not something I do — it is something I live every morning.