Javed Akhtar has some strong opinions on the trend of remixing old classics.

A report by the Hindustan Times says the veteran lyricist opened up on the topic during a conversation on Cyrus Says.

Akhtar says the process of reviving a song is not the actual problem.

Instead, he believes it is the commercial aspect that adds a bad taste.

Akhtar said, “Remembering the past, giving certain importance to it, trying to revive it is not wrong at all. It is appreciable, but at the same time this kind of commercial dependence on the past is not a healthy attitude. At least preserve its dignity.”

He also called for respect when it comes to adding to or changing the songs saying, “These are memorable songs, by great singers, writers, composers, you should respect them. This is a cultural heritage. You want to revive it, sure go ahead, you want to someone else to sing it with new orchestra and arrangement, there is no problem in that. Like, you take a (KL) Saigal song and make Arijit (Singh) sing it, it is fine. But you take that song and add a rap in between, that’s not done.”

Akhtar is one of the most well known lyricists in Bollywood having won several awards, including 5 National Awards, the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan.