Armin van Buuren & Craig David Revamp 'Ishq Hai' with Anurag Saikia

Mumbai, Aug 29 (PTI) Globally acclaimed DJ Armin van Buuren and renowned British R&B artist Craig David have collaborated with Indian music director Anurag Saikia to give a new twist to “Ishq Hai”, the love anthem from the popular Netflix series "Mismatched". The track, named “Ishq Hai (This Is Love)”, was launched worldwide on Friday, offering a fresh cross-continental rendition of Saikia's 2024 hit, intertwining Sufi sensitivity with dance floor exhilaration, as announced in a press statement.

Initially created by Saikia for the third season of "Mismatched", the song became a cherished favorite due to its heartfelt melody and poignant lyrics, garnering over 300 million streams across various platforms. In the refreshed version, van Buuren — who has been recognized as the world’s No 1 trance DJ five times by DJ Mag — infuses his signature high-energy beats, while David contributes a brand new English verse.

“When I first encountered Ishq Hai, its emotion and melody lingered with me. The process of collaborating with Craig to reimagine it was unique; we retained its essence but injected the energy needed to resonate with dance enthusiasts globally,” van Buuren expressed. David shared that he was immediately captivated by the song’s vibe.

“Collaborating with Armin on the track was an extraordinary experience. I enjoyed adding my verse and contributing to a rendition that broadens the song's reach, touching even more listeners worldwide,” he noted.

Saikia remarked that this partnership exemplifies how music can bridge borders. “'Ishq Hai' holds a special place for me, and I feel fortunate to have received such immense appreciation. Partnering with Armin and Craig demonstrates music’s potential to connect listeners on a profound emotional level. This is truly love,” he stated.

Distributed by Believe in collaboration with Armada Music, the venture also marks van Buuren’s inaugural collaboration with an Indian artist after numerous tours in the country, and David's first endeavor with an Indian music creator.