Kazinama Talks Putting a Funky Spin on Classics Like ‘Ahista Ahista’

Ever since it was released in mid-2024, producer Kazinama’s groovy rendition of Pakistani artist Musarrat Nazir’s Nineties pop hit “Chale To Kat Hi” has found its way back onto trending charts on streaming as well as social media. By his own admission on the YouTube description for his rendition – called “Ahista Ahista” – Kazinama calls himself “just a recycling agent.”

With over 372,000 Reels on Instagram, 13 million views on YouTube and over 15 million streams on Spotify (as of today), it’s understandable when the producer says it’s been “truly overwhelming” to see how much “Ahista Ahista” has “resonated with people.” He adds, “I appreciate every single person who has been part of this journey. At the same time, I feel the responsibility to keep creating music that lives up to this expectation and continue to connect with my audience in this way.”

Since “Ahista Ahista,” Kazinama tapped into major label Saregama’s massive back catalog and churned out another bop – “Darna Mohabbat Karle” from the 1949 movie Andaz, featuring the voices of Shamshad Begum and Lata Mangeshkar with composer Naushad. There’s also been a rendition of “Tauba Tauba” by qawwali legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, released last year.

Kazinama, who has previously composed scores for films and brands, says that when he created these comforting, club-friendly flips, he had no expectations. “I can’t really grasp this fame or whatever you want to call it.” He just intends to keep going and “keep doing the good work,” something he calls his motto.

One of his favorite reactions to “Ahista Ahista” – which was up on YouTube with anime-style video clips including 2011 anime movie Children Who Chase Lost Voices – has been how people have related to the lyrics of a song that’s over 30 years old. He offers his interpretation: “I think it’s all about going with the flow and I believe we are all travelers in this world. So we just keep going and keep passing.”

Through this project, Kazinama says he’s found a lot of appreciation, which he considers “the most important driving factor” to continue making music. He admits he’s not a very good planner, so 2025 is very much an open book in terms of upcoming projects. “I have a couple of compositions that I’m going to put it out. I have some albums ideas, which I’m going to do with Universal and other people as well,” he says.