Bollywood and its eternal love for retro songs seems to be a never-ending saga. Over the years, the trend of bringing back vintage songs in a reprised version in new films has been steadfastly growing. 2023 was one such year where many memorable old songs saw a comeback in blockbuster films of the year.

With the year coming to a close, here’s a look at our favourites.

Jhumka Gira Re as What Jhumka in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt

Bekarar Karke Hume played in the Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan

Aa Jaane Jaan from Intaquam had a reprised version in Sujoy Ghosh’s Jaane Jaan starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Vijay Varma and Jaideep Ahlawat

Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar from Hum Dono was played during the much-talked-about kissing scene between Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.

Stressing that Punjab’s tableau will not be showcased in a “rejected category”, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said the state’s tableau that was not selected for the Republic Day parade will not be displayed at Bharat Parv in Red Fort either.

Amid the political row over Punjab’s tableau not making it to the Republic Day parade in Delhi, the Defence Ministry had written to the state government, inviting them to display it during Bharat Parv from January 23 to 31.

In a social media post, Mr Mann has said the sacrifices of freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Lala Lajpat Rai, Udham Singh and others will not be displayed in a “rejected category”. “They are our heroes, we know how to respect them,” he said.

The remark is Mr Mann’s latest strike in the tableau row. Earlier, he had accused the Centre of discriminating against Punjab and said that “if they have their way, they will take out the word ‘Punjab’ from the national anthem”.

In response, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar had accused Mr Mann of politicising the issue. He had claimed that Punjab’s tableau was not shortlisted because of its “crude” make. He also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government wanted photos of party leader Arvind Kejriwal and Mr Mann on the tableau. This is not allowed as per protocol and is one of the reasons for the tableau’s rejection, he said.

This drew a sharp retort from the Chief Minister, who said he would quit politics if the state BJP president can prove his allegation.

“Jakhar should give proof that Arvind Kejriwal or Bhagwant Mann’s photos were to be put on the tableau. Do they think we are mad? If Jakhar can prove it, I will quit politics,” he said, adding that if he fails, “he should then also not enter Punjab”.

“Will (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi now choose which tableau is to be shown and which not,” Mr Mann said.

A Defence Ministry source has, meanwhile, said there is a well-established system for the selection of tableaux. “The tableaux proposals received from various States/UTs and Central Ministries/Departments are evaluated in a series of meetings of the “Expert Committee for selection of tableaux comprising eminent persons in the field of art, culture, painting, sculpture, music, architecture, choreography etc. The Expert Committee examines the proposals on the basis of theme, concept, design and its visual impact before making its recommendations,” the source said, according to news agency ANI.

Ministry of Defence Sources on the issue of alleged rejection of tableaux of Punjab and West Bengal for Republic Day 2024. pic.twitter.com/u7NP5kWZSa

— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2023

For the 2024 Republic Day, the source said, 30 states/Union Territories have shown the willingness to participate, but entries from only 15-16 will be selected.

“The tableau proposal of Punjab was considered in first three rounds of meeting of the Expert Committee. After the third round of meeting, the tableau of Punjab could not be taken forward by the Expert Committee for further consideration for not aligning to the broader themes of this year’s tableau,” the source said.

The source also noted that the tableau of Punjab has been shortlisted for the Republic Day parade six times in the last eight years.

Following the Defence Ministry’s explanation, AAP spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said Mr Jakhar now “stands exposed”.

Today,Mr. @sunilkjakhar stands exposed before the people of Punjab.

The Ministry of Defence’s clarification on the exclusion of Punjab’s tableau in the Republic Parade reveals the truth.

Mr Jakhar’s attempt to mislead Punjab, alleging the rejection was due to photos of… pic.twitter.com/CUfpEDi6ay

— Malvinder Singh Kang (@kang_malvinder) December 31, 2023

“The Ministry of Defence’s clarification on the exclusion of Punjab’s tableau in the Republic Parade reveals the truth. Mr Jakhar’s attempt to mislead Punjab, alleging the rejection was due to photos of Kejriwal ji and Mann Saab, now demands accountability. Where are the alleged designs carrying the pictures of Kejriwal Ji & Mann Saab, Mr Jakhar?” he asked.

Prediction of weekend snow and the Chief Minister’s directions to not be harsh with drunk revelers on New Year failed to woo tourists to Shimla which recorded a 50-60 per cent occupancy – “the lowest in the last 40 years”.

Last year, Shimla recorded over 80 per cent occupancy on New Year. The hotel and allied industries were pinning hopes on a ‘white New Year’ but chances of snowfall are very bleak.

While the Mall Road and The Ridge in the heart of the city are abuzz with tourists as winter carnival turned the place into a fair with lights and cultural bonanza, footfall has not converted in room occupancy in hotels, said Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association president MK Seth.

The occupancy is about 50-60 per cent which is the lowest in the last 40 years and even during the Covid-19 pandemic, the New Year tourist rush was more than this, he told PTI.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the police to follow ‘Atithi Devo Bhava‘, and facilitate tourists and make adequate arrangements in all districts for the smooth flow of traffic.

Besides allowing food joints and pan shops to remain open 24×7, he said drunk tourists will not be arrested, but will be taken to their hotels by the cops to ensure their New Year experience is not spoiled.

The unregistered tourism units are eating into the sales of registered hotels, home stays and other such accommodations, said Mr Seth, adding that the tourists coming by train and luxury buses are “captured” by touts who take them to unregistered accommodations.

“We are surprised to see such a drop in tourist inflow when all things are favourable. This is the lowest occupancy in my living memory” said vice president of the association Prince Kukreja, hoping that the occupancy would pick up by late evening.

A large number of tourists prefer isolated accommodations in the suburbs with forest cover and peace, and those planning private parties are also going beyond the city, said local hotelier Shishu, adding that even the hotels in the main town, normally packed during this time, are not packed to capacity.

About 7,600 tourists vehicles from other states have come to Shimla via Shoghi barrier on the Shimla-Chandigarh Road from Saturday morning (8 am) to Sunday afternoon (12 pm), SP Shimla Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi told PTI today.

The tourism stakeholders added that adverse publicity on social media and some electronic channels regarding traffic jams diverted tourists to other destinations.

The local Met office predicted snowfall and rainfall at isolated places in high-and-mid hills on Saturday and Sunday as a fresh Western Disturbance lies over the Himalayan region. However, no snowfall was witnessed in the key tourist resorts.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)