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{{For|the Telugu film|Chammak Challo (film)}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Chammak Challo
| cover =
| alt =
| caption =
| language = [[Hindi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| type = single
| artist = [[Akon]] and [[Hamsika Iyer]]
| album = [[Ra.One (soundtrack)|Ra. One]]
| released = 21 September 2011
| format =
| recorded = 2010–2011
| studio = [[Yash Raj Films|YRF Studios]]
| venue =
| genre = [[World music|World]], [[pop-folk]], [[R&B]], [[synthpop]], [[filmi]], [[Music of Bollywood|Bollywood]]
| length = 3:46
| label = [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]
| writer = [[Vishal Dadlani]], [[Niranjan Iyengar]], [[Giorgio Tuinfort]]
| producer = [[Giorgio Tuinfort]]
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|M4EZHGFK-1c|Chammak Challo}}}}
}}

"'''Chammak Challo'''" ({{Translation|Flashy Girl}}) is a song performed by [[Akon]] and [[Hamsika Iyer]], and composed by [[Akon]], [[Giorgio Tuinfort]] as well as music director duo [[Vishal–Shekhar]] ([[Vishal Dadlani]] and [[Shekhar Ravjiani]]) and by Gobind Singh, as a part of the [[Ra.One (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] for the 2011 Bollywood film ''[[Ra.One]]''. It is Akon's first musical collaboration with Indian artists. There are four other versions of the song in the album, including a remix by Abhijit Vaghani, another remix by [[DJ Khushi]] and an international version sung solely by Akon.<ref name="Review4">{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Thumbs-up-to-RA-One-s-music/Article1-746348.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916131349/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Thumbs-up-to-RA-One-s-music/Article1-746348.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 September 2011|title=Ra.1 M.R|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=21 September 2011}}</ref> The song, along with the rest of the soundtrack, was officially released on 21 September 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Big One: Shah Rukh, Bebo unveil Ra.One album|url=http://www.ndtv.com/video/special/big-one-shah-rukh-bebo-unveil-ra-one-album-549/210612|access-date=21 September 2011|publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> However, the song faced controversy when the initial version was leaked on the Internet on 30 May 2011.<ref name="Legalnotice">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Shah-Rukh-Khan-sues-a-jewellery-brand/Article1-734627.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125184553/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Shah-Rukh-Khan-sues-a-jewellery-brand/Article1-734627.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2013|title=Shah Rukh Khan sues a jewellery brand|date=18 August 2011 |work=Hindustan Times|access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> This leak was a complete song and the initial recording of it. The background flute, in this leaked version, was louder and more prominent than in the final version, and the female portion sung by Hamsika Iyer was not there. Instead, the music continued without any female vocals.

"Chammak Challo" was dubbed as the "trademark of ''Ra.One'''s publicity campaign". The song was named the most downloaded song and video of the year in India in a survey by wireless telephone major [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20110189771&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=156528 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716162645/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?section=Movies&Id=ENTEN20110189771&keyword=bollywood&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&nid=156528 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2012 |title=Chammak Challo most downloaded song |publisher=Movies.ndtv.com |access-date=14 February 2012 }}</ref> It was rated as the best item number of 2011 in a ''[[Mid-Day]]'' poll.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hitlist |first=The |url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2011/dec/141211-I-instantly-fell-in-love-with-the-track.htm |title=I instantly fell in love with the track |publisher=Mid-day.com |date=14 December 2011 |access-date=14 February 2012}}</ref> The song also topped the [[Radio Mirchi|Mirchi]] Top 100 charts as the song of year.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/news-and-interviews/Chammak-Challo-is-No-1/articleshow/11326540.cms | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025040903/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-02/news-and-interviews/30579251_1_mirchi-music-awards-radio-mirchi-character-dheela | url-status=live | archive-date=25 October 2012 | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Chammak Challo is No.1 | date=2 January 2012}}</ref> "Chammak Challo" also entered the Top 10 "World Songs" list of [[iTunes]] in eight countries, reaching No. 1 at three of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.music-chart.info/song/783169/Chammak-Challo|publisher=Music-Chart.info|title=Chammak Challo by Hamsika Iyer, Vishal-Shekhar & Akon Chart Summary|access-date=2 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106072315/http://www.music-chart.info/song/783169/Chammak-Challo|archive-date=6 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to the extremely positive response for the song, [[Akon]] decided to branch out and make tracks especially for [[Bollywood]] projects and wanted to have a dedicated branch to produce music for Bollywood with [[Music of India|local talent]].<ref name=songsTT>{{cite news|title=Ra.One songs take Tamil listeners by storm |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/akons-big-plans-for-bollywood/articleshow/10353589.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103113554/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-15/news-and-interviews/30279764_1_singer-akon-bollywood-big-plans|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|access-date=15 October 2011 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=15 October 2011}}</ref> Subsequently, Akon received a nomination for [[Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] at the [[57th Filmfare Awards|2012 Filmfare Awards]].

==Production==

"Chammak Challo" was composed by music duo [[Vishal–Shekhar]] and co-composed by [[Akon]] who arrived in [[Mumbai]] on 8 March 2010 for two days to record it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-03-08 |title=Akon arrives for Mumbai rap |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/akon-arrives-for-mumbai-rap/articleshow/5657202.cms |access-date=2026-05-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-10 |title=Akon records a song for Shah Rukh’s ‘Ra.One’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/akon-records-a-song-for-shah-rukh-s-ra-one/ |access-date=2026-05-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> [[Shah Rukh Khan|Shahrukh Khan]], [[Kareena Kapoor]] and ''Ra.One'' director [[Anubhav Sinha]] held a press conference to declare the association of the Grammy-nominated singer with the film.<ref name="press con">{{cite web|url=http://videos.oneindia.in/watch/18038/shahrukh-kareena-welcome-akon.html|title=SRK welcomes Akon|publisher=Oneindia|access-date=21 September 2011|archive-date=29 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329233854/http://videos.oneindia.in/watch/18038/shahrukh-kareena-welcome-akon.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> was recorded at the [[Yash Raj Studios]].<ref name="Filmfare">{{cite web |url=http://www.filmfare.com/articles/akon-to-sing-for-srk-for-free-552.html|title=Akon in India for Ra.One|work=[[Filmfare]]|access-date=21 September 2011}}</ref> The lyrics were penned by [[Vishal Dadlani]] and [[Niranjan Iyengar]]. The lyrics are primarily in [[Hindi]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]], with a few English lines included.

Along with the English parts, [[Akon]] sang parts of the song in Hindi by himself.<ref name="KoiMoiRw">{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/ra-one-music-review/|author=Vivek, Warrier |title=Ra.One's Music Review|publisher=koimoi.com|date=14 September 2011|access-date=20 September 2011}}</ref> [[Hamsika Iyer]] sang the Hindi and Tamil parts.<ref name="Review1">{{cite web |author=Taylor |first=Rebecca |date=11 October 2011 |title=Ra.One: Music Review |url=https://celebritygeckos.com/chammak-challo-song-review-ra-one/ |access-date= |work=Celebritygeckos.com}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Hamsika Iyer sang her portion in 2011. Post-recording polishing was done in 2011 for the song. According to the music directors, the [[Senegalese American]] [[R&B]] singer had no problems voicing the Hindi lyrics: "It was really easy for Akon. When he came to the studio and we told him that he would have to sing in Hindi too, he got really excited. Once he heard the lines, he started singing fluently. It took him only three (to) four hours to learn...he picked up everything so well," said Shekhar.<ref name="KoiMoiRw"/><ref name="lyrics">{{cite web|date=24 September 2011|title=Chammak challo catching the fancy of music lovers|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/story/chammak-challo-from-raone-catching-fancy-of-music-lovers-141133-2011-09-13|access-date=27 September 2011|work=India Today}}</ref> The song is produced by Giorgio Tuinfort, who produced [[Gwen Stefani]]'s ''[[The Sweet Escape (song)|The Sweet Escape]]'', featuring Akon.<ref name="FFReview"/>

The remix version by DJ Khushi was a club mix with more electronic sounds, [[dholki]] and vocal effects. Khushi was referred to Khan by the Moranis for remixing the song; Khushi made a demo and sent it to Khan who was impressed by it and told him to complete the track.<ref name="Club Remix">{{cite web|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/11/oct/18-dj-khushi-makes-rocking-chammak-challo-remix-for-srk-101111.asp|title=Dj Khushi makes rocking 'Chammak Challo Remix' for SRK|date=18 October 2011|access-date=18 October 2011}}</ref> In an interview, Khushi said: "Remixing 'Chammak Challo' was not just an amazing and an exciting experience but it also came with a lot of responsibility to make a track that complements the song as it was already a very big hit even before the release."<ref name="Club Remix"/>

==Reception==

===Critical reception===
[[File:Ra.One audio launch.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''Ra.One'' audio launch. Shahrukh and Kareena are seen in their "Chammak Challo" costumes.]]
''[[Bollywood Hungama]]'' described it as "A grand song by all means, with huge production values that would be assuring enough for Akon to believe that this one can compete at an international level, 'Chammak Challo' is a fantastic amalgamation of Indian, Middle East and Western sounds that gives it a distinguished appeal."<ref name="Review1"/> Ruchika Kher from ''[[The Times of India]]'' identified the song as "A clear winner all the way, the song, which has Hindi, English and Tamil words in the lyrics, makes you groove [...] A fun dance number, 'Chammak Challo' is here to stay and it will surely become the DJs' favourite".<ref name="Review2">{{cite news|author=Kher, Ruchika|date=26 September 2011|title=Ra.One|work=The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/music/music-reviews/RA-One/articleshow/10005520.cms|access-date=26 September 2011}}</ref> [[Indo-Asian News Service]] said "International pop star [[Akon]] sings in English and surprisingly well in Hindi, making 'Chammak Challo' ride high on its novelty factor. Hamsika Iyer, who has sung for films like ''[[Raajneeti]]'' and ''[[Khoya Khoya Chand]]'' in the past, supports him beautifully, accompanying the English-Hindi vocals with a little Tamil strewn in. Primarily a dance track, 'Chammak Challo' is here to stay." He also praised the remixes adding "The song also has a couple of remixes, but don't dismiss them as ordinary fare. A Punjabi Mix adds some [[Bhangra (music)|bhangra]] to the beats while DJ Khushi's version, simply titled 'Chammak Challo Remix', is explosive. A third, international version is what his fans will hear globally-this one is pure Akon, without Hamsika to accompany him."<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web|date=25 September 2011|title=Music Review: SRK's Ra.One|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110184255&keyword=music&subcatg=MUSICINDIA&nid=134111|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923150631/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20110184255&keyword=music&subcatg=MUSICINDIA&nid=134111|archive-date=23 September 2011|access-date=23 September 2011|publisher=[[NDTV]]|agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]}}</ref> Sukanya Verma from [[Rediff.com]] praised the song calling it "A scorching mishmash of Arabic influences and Bollywood-style bhangra amid Hamsika Iyer's swiftly-pronounced Tamil lyrics, the showstopper song's perfectly-timed arrangement and vivacious rhythm makes it a win-win."<ref>{{cite web|author=Verma, Sukanya|date=22 September 2011|title=Review: Ra.One songs are a great listen|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-ra-one/20110913.htm|access-date=25 September 2011|work=Rediff.com}}</ref>

Vivek Warrier was impressed by Akon's Hindi and said "Full marks to Akon for his wonderful Hindi – yes, he sings 'Chammak Challo' in Hindi. He is, in fact, better than Remo. The song has good use of Vocoder and other classic 'Akon-ic' effects which also includes the "Oh oo oo" which is what Akon is known for". He also noted that "the three remixes of the song, also included in the album, add value to the album from a commercial point of view".<ref>{{cite web|author=Roshmila, Bhattacharya|date=23 September 2011|title=Kareena: My fans love me in a sari|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/RA-One-will-make-Rs-200-crore-Kareena/Article1-745236.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914122425/http://www.hindustantimes.com/RA-One-will-make-Rs-200-crore-Kareena/Article1-745236.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2011|access-date=30 September 2011|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Devesh Sharma from [[Filmfare]] said "'Chammak Challo' rules – and how! The song, sung by international R&B icon Akon, is superbly produced by Giorgio Tuinfort. Tuinfort turns Vishal-Shekhar's tunes into a haunting medley that invades your brains and refuses to go away. Kareena sings in such a way that you believe that it's actually Shah Rukh Khan who's crooning the song. Getting the Hindi diction right is by itself an achievement. Hamsika Iyer accompanies Akon in the film version and her full throated voice adds to the charm." He also appreciated the remixes calling them "well crafted".<ref name="FFReview">{{cite web|title=Ra.1 Music worth every penny|url=http://www.filmfare.com/articles/raone-2774.html|access-date=2 October 2011|work=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref>

===Commercial and chart performance===
"Chammak Challo" is a favourite at Indian nightclubs.<ref name="lyrics"/><ref name="popularity">{{cite news|date=25 September 2011|title=I dance Chammak Challo: SRK|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-16/news-interviews/30164456_1_raone-music-chammak-challo-songs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928085522/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-16/news-interviews/30164456_1_raone-music-chammak-challo-songs|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=29 September 2011}}</ref> The song also occupied the top position at the Indian Singles Chart for several weeks.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.aircheckindia.com/AirCheckT20.pdf
|title=Chammak Challo on Indian Singles Chart
|publisher=air check India
|access-date=14 October 2011
}}</ref> The remixed version of "Chammak Challo" by DJ Khushi has been "hitting the popularity charts".<ref name="Club Remix"/>

==Music video==
{{listen
|type=music
|filename=ChammakSample.ogg
|title=Vishal–Shekhar – "Chammak Challo"
|description=A 50-second sample of the song "Chammak Challo"
}}

The music video of the song is picturised on the lead pair of the film, [[Shah Rukh Khan|Shahrukh Khan]] and [[Kareena Kapoor]], dancing together in a specially constructed set at [[Yash Raj Films|Yash Raj Studios]]. The music video received mixed to positive reviews, with some critics praising its fresh and hybrid style of choreography by [[Ganesh Hegde]], while others criticising the costumes, especially those of the background dancers.<ref name="Review2"/> While shooting for the song in Mumbai, Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] visited [[Yash Raj Studios]] to watch Khan and Kapoor at work.<ref>[https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-when-russian-president-met-the-badshah-of-bollywood/20101223.htm]</ref>

Red Chillies, Khan's production house created a video for the remixed version by Delhi-based DJ Khushi and put it up on the official YouTube channel of the film. The video contained shots from the original song, with the remix as the background score. Khushi said "I met SRK recently at an awards ceremony in Gurgaon, where he said, 'I had to make a video for this. It was the best remix on the CD and it was getting great feedback.' So, he made the video."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-06/news-and-interviews/30247286_1_remix-raone-youtube|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926190411/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-06/news-and-interviews/30247286_1_remix-raone-youtube|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 September 2013|author=Kher, Ruchika|title=DJ Khushi is happy over RA.One remix|date=6 October 2011|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 October 2011}}</ref> Within the first couple of days, the video received more than 400,000 views from social networking sites.<ref name="Club Remix"/>

===Costume===

[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in India 22 December 2010-10.jpeg|thumb|left|[[List of presidents of the Russian Federation|Russian President]] [[Dmitry Medvedev]] on the sets of "Chammak Challo"|249x249px]]
The costume of Kareena Kapoor in the song received widespread media coverage. Kapoor wore a red ''[[sari]]'' draped in the style of a ''[[dhoti]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-23/trends/30477029_1_saris-chiffon-colour |title=Red hot Vidya Balan brings red saris in vogue |date=23 December 2011 |access-date=12 April 2012 |author=Mitra, Ipshita |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512222614/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-23/trends/30477029_1_saris-chiffon-colour |archive-date=12 May 2013 |url-status=dead |work=[[The Times of India]] |df=dmy }}</ref> The ''sari'' along with Kapoor's look was designed by [[Manish Malhotra]].<ref name=sari>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/red-is-the-new-black-%E2%80%94-kareena-kapoor-wala-red-101615.html|title=Kareena Kapoor ''wala'' red is dictating fashion trends|work=[[The First Post]]|date=7 October 2011|access-date=12 April 2012|author=A Khan, Rubina|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008024414/http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/red-is-the-new-black-%E2%80%94-kareena-kapoor-wala-red-101615.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Subsequently, the ''sari'' became colloquially known as "the Kareena ''wala'' red."<ref name=sari />

Fashion experts commented on the topic, unanimously praising Kapoor's look. Film stylist Samidha Wanganoo applauded Kapoor's ability to carry off a "fiery and bold" colour like red, and claimed that "It [red] makes the haute black look so redundant now." Mauritius-based fashion consultant Kiran Gidwani-Tolaram said, "The red that Kareena is wearing in the song is a very vibrant and hot shade. It is natural when someone as stunning as her wears a bold colour like that, it is bound to be in vogue and dictate trends." Gidwani-Tolaram reported about a "flood" of demands for exactly the same style of ''sari'', and commented that the particular style was the favourite of the Mauritian Prime Minister's wife. However, Sangita Kathiwada, creative director of a prominent Mumbai fashion store, dismissed the theory that Kapoor had popularised red ''saris'' and said, "What is Kareena Kapoor ''wala'' red? I mean Kareena is gorgeous and looks lovely in the "Chammak Challo" song and many more saris will sell because she just looks stunning wearing it. But I still wouldn't go as far as calling it the Kareena Kapoor ''wala'' red."<ref name=sari />

== Accolades ==
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Award Ceremony
!Category
!Recipient
!Result
!Reference(s)
|-
| rowspan="4" |[[4th Mirchi Music Awards|2011]]
| rowspan="4" |[[Mirchi Music Awards]]
|[[Mirchi Music Award for Song of The Year|Song of the Year]]
| -
| {{nom}}
| rowspan="4" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiomirchi.com:80/mma2011/hindi/nominees.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130161203/http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/hindi/nominees.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 January 2013|title=Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011|date=2013-01-30|access-date=2018-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.radiomirchi.com/mma2011/hindi/winners.php|title=Winners - Mirchi Music Awards 2011}}</ref>
|-
|Best Item Song of the Year
| -
| {{nom}}
|-
|Best Programmer & Arranger of the Year
|Abhijit Nalani & [[Giorgio Tuinfort]]
| {{won}}
|-
|Best Song Recording
|Vijay Dayal & Mark 'Exit' Goodchild
| {{won}}
|}

==Track listing==
*'''CD single'''<ref name="Review2"/>
#"Chammak Challo" (album version) – 3:46
#"Chammak Challo" (remix by Abhijit Vaghani) – 4:36
#"Chammak Challo" (remix by DJ Khushi) – 4:17

==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Ra.One|state=expanded}}
{{Akon}}
{{Vishal–Shekhar}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:2011 songs]]
[[Category:Akon songs]]
[[Category:Songs written for Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Ra.One]]
[[Category:Songs in Hindi]]
[[Category:Songs written by Giorgio Tuinfort]]
[[Category:Songs with music by Vishal–Shekhar]]
[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Vishal Dadlani]]
[[Category:Pop-folk songs]]
[[Category:Macaronic songs]]

Chammak Challo - Revision history

Mpsep15 at 17:54, 7 May 2026