The Bhai Formula Behind Salman and Katrina’s ‘Swag Se Swagat’
What’s the formula behind Bhai’s irresistible chartbusters?
Plagiarism charges against Salman Khan’s latest smash hit, Swag Se Swagat from his upcoming film, Tiger Zinda Hai will not be able to rain on its parade. ICYMI, it became the most viewed video on YouTube in the first 24 hours. Apparently a straight copy of 'The Horns' by DJ KATCH right down to the beats, the song features about 100 dancers comprising the likes of ballerinas, hip-hop artistes and Afro-dance hall performers from countries like Greece, France, Trinidad and Tobago, (besides Kat, of course).
If you chew on that fun fact...not the one about plagiarism (cos Bhai can be exonerated for anything, remember?), but the next one, about the number of dancers, you will realise that most Bhai chartbusters still straddle a sizeable flock of background dancers. So, there is a not-so-secret formula behind every Bhai song. Let’s decode that and let’s also plunge through the paradox of the guilty pleasure that Swag Se Swagat is.
The Catchphrase Karobar
Salman smash hits string together a list of rhyming words or ride on the wave of a trend to the point of assuming the status of pop culture phenomena. A few years ago, they caught on to the buzzword ‘selfie’, this time it’s ‘swag’. Composed by the musical-duo Vishal Shekhar and written by Irshad Kamil, the song reportedly is about ‘embracing brotherhood and peace’. Only a Bhai song can infuse a traditional word like swagat with some oomph and make national integration cool. Chahe Jo Aaye leke Dil Mein Ishq Mohabaat, Sabko Galle Lagana Apne Culture Ki Hai Aadat... Swag Se Karenge Sabka Swagat...
Main Bhi Bhai
It’s not a Bhai song without the signature hook step. He can make bad dancers look really cool! Easy to emulate, these steps exude a DIY effortlessness. You only need mundane items like belts, shirt collars or towels to pull them off. Swag Se Swagat has three easy-peasy steps! Your moves for New Year’s eve are sorted.
The EX Factor
We are sadists. We love the corny thrill of seeing two ex flames navigating around each other with awkwardness, the air rife with possibilities. So we put on our faux detective goggles and try to detect any icy cold vibes or some flames being rekindled. And here, even Katrina Kaif, dancer extraordinaire, is seen dumbing down her steps to match Bhai’s. We get both - smouldering and simple moves.
Aila! Foreign Location
Salman Khan replete with glares and hoodies raps his way through the ethereally blue and white locations of Greece. You also see the twosome dancing against sun-bleached ruins as the Aegan laps at the endless coastline. We are always up for some vacation goals.
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