Priyanka Chopra's desi version of Wham!'s Last Christmas sparks backlash online

Global icon Priyanka Chopra is ushering in the festive season with an unexpected twist: a Hindi rendition of Wham!’s timeless Christmas classic Last Christmas. The actor-singer, who has taken a hiatus from music, marks her comeback with a vibrant "Desi Version" of the beloved holiday anthem, blending nostalgia with Indian musical elements. The reimagined track, part of Gurinder Chadha’s film Christmas Karma, releases November 14, blending festive cheer with a vibrant cultural twist.

About the track

The track is featured in Gurinder Chadha’s upcoming family musical Christmas Karma, hitting theaters in the UK, Ireland, and US on November 14. Priyanka’s version infuses traditional Indian elements into the festive classic, appearing on the Christmas Karma soundtrack-a celebration of the UK’s multicultural music landscape.

The Christmas Karma soundtrack boasts an international lineup, featuring Gary Barlow, Billy Porter, Nitin Sawhney, Shaznay Lewis, Pixie Lott, and Boy George. The full album drops alongside the film.

Netizens reaction to the track

Priyanka Chopra’s Desi Version of Last Christmas dropped online, sparking mixed reactions. Some fans praised the bold twist, but others were critical: "Literally murdered this beautiful song 😢😂,” one user said. Another wondered, “Was she forced into this?” Others chimed in: “Love her, but why this?” “I’d rather hear Dil Mera Churaya, the original Hindi cover,” and “I hate her for this.” Some criticized the lip-sync: “So off, yaar.” Others doubted its authenticity: “Is this AI?” “Lame. Is this a joke?”

Priyanka’s musical journey

Priyanka Chopra’s musical journey began in 2002 with the Tamil film Tamizhan, where she sang "Ullathai Killathe." She later contributed to Bollywood tracks like "Saajan Saajan" (Barsaat) "Chaoro" (Mary Kom), and "Dil Dhadakne Do." Her international debut came in 2012 with "In My City", followed by "Exotic" in 2013.

Music holds deep personal significance for Priyanka, as it honors her late father, Dr. Ashok Chopra. She shared, This was my dad’s dream. My parents were very emotional when they heard my song. My father is an incredible singer, and I’m happy I could fulfill his dream.