Priyanka Chopra Jonas made her musical comeback after over a decade with the most unexpected choice possible: a Hindi-English fusion version of Wham!’s 1984 Christmas classic Last Christmas, and the internet immediately split into two warring camps. On November 7, 2025, acclaimed British-Indian filmmaker Gurinder Chadha unveiled the track as part of her upcoming musical Christmas Karma, releasing November 14 in UK, Ireland, and US theaters before hitting Indian cinemas December 12. Within hours, social media exploded with reactions ranging from “stunningly beautiful” to “major cringe” and “why would anyone do that when Dil Mera Churaya Kyon exists?” The controversy centers on whether reimagining a beloved Western holiday classic with desi flavor represents creative fusion or cultural sacrilege. Gurinder thanked Priyanka publicly on Instagram, writing: “One call to support the movie and she was in. Always ready to support filmmakers from our community.” Priyanka’s last international music release was Exotic featuring Pitbull way back in 2013, making this comeback particularly significant for fans who’ve waited 12 years for new music. But the question dominating Twitter and Instagram: did we actually need Last Christmas with tabla beats and Hindi lyrics, or should some classics remain untouched regardless of good intentions? With Priyanka gearing up for SS Rajamouli’s Globe Trotter alongside Mahesh Babu (her first look drops any day now), this musical controversy arrives exactly when she’s rebuilding her Bollywood presence after years of Hollywood focus.
The Comeback Nobody Expected
Priyanka Chopra Jonas hasn’t released new music since 2013’s Exotic with Pitbull, a dance track that performed moderately but never reached the cultural impact she hoped for after her 2012 debut In My City featuring will.i.am. Her music career, launched with massive ambition through partnerships with Interscope Records and management by Scooter Braun, fizzled out as her acting opportunities in Hollywood increased. She pivoted fully to film and television, landing roles in Quantico, Baywatch, and eventually building a production company while marrying Nick Jonas and becoming a mother.
For 12 years, fans wondered if Priyanka would return to music. Occasional hints and teases never materialized into actual releases. Then suddenly, November 2025 brought an Instagram video of Priyanka singing a reimagined Last Christmas with Hindi lyrics interwoven throughout, complete with Indian instrumentation underneath the familiar melody. The announcement video showed Priyanka in festive attire against Christmas decorations, channeling holiday cheer while delivering George Michael’s iconic melody with distinctly South Asian flavor.
The timing connects directly to Christmas Karma, Gurinder Chadha’s passion project. Chadha, who directed Bend It Like Beckham and Bride & Prejudice, has spent years championing British-Indian stories that blend cultures seamlessly. Her latest film follows that tradition, using Christmas as a backdrop for exploring identity, family, and belonging through musical numbers. Having Priyanka, arguably the most internationally recognized Indian actress, contribute to the soundtrack provides instant credibility and marketing power.
Share this with anyone who remembers Priyanka’s Exotic era!
Gurinder Chadha’s Heartfelt Tribute
Gurinder Chadha’s Instagram caption revealing Priyanka’s involvement overflowed with genuine emotion and gratitude. She wrote: “This is Priyanka Chopra for you. One call to support the movie and she was in. Always ready to support filmmakers from our community. Using her platform and her voice (in this case even the singing one) in support of my vision. Thank you for supporting me always Pri.”
That public appreciation highlights how Priyanka uses her massive platform to uplift South Asian creators working in predominantly white Western film industries. Rather than only focusing on her own projects, she actively supports fellow Indian filmmakers trying to break through. That solidarity matters enormously in an industry where representation remains a constant struggle despite recent progress.
Chadha continued: “And so here it is, our reimagined version of George Michael’s Last Christmas classic with all the playfulness I hope George Michael would have loved.” That invocation of George Michael’s approval seeks to preemptively address criticism about messing with a sacred pop culture artifact. By framing it as playful homage rather than sacrilegious remake, Chadha positions the track as a loving tribute that George Michael, known for embracing diverse musical styles, might’ve appreciated.
Whether that strategy worked depends entirely on which internet camp you ask.
The Fans Who Absolutely Love It
Positive reactions flooded social media from fans celebrating Priyanka’s return to music and praising the fusion approach. One Instagram user wrote: “This is unreal,” capturing the surreal joy of hearing Priyanka sing again after so long. Another commented: “It’s STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL. So proud to be a part of this incredible film and Priyanka is amazing! Spreading the word!”
Supporters argued the desi twist makes Last Christmas accessible to South Asian audiences who grew up with Bollywood remixes and fusion music. India has a long tradition of adapting Western songs with Hindi lyrics, from Bappi Lahiri’s disco era through modern Bollywood soundtracks. This remix follows cultural practice rather than inventing something completely unprecedented. Fans appreciated hearing familiar melodies with a fresh perspective that reflects their bicultural identity.
The production quality also earned praise. The arrangement blends traditional Indian instruments like tabla and sitar with Western Christmas instrumentation, creating soundscape that honors both musical traditions. Priyanka’s vocals, though clearly using autotune, carry emotional weight that connects to the original’s themes of heartbreak and resilience. Her Hindi lyrics translate the sentiment rather than literally translating words, allowing the song to resonate in both languages.
For the global South Asian diaspora, particularly those celebrating Christmas while maintaining Indian cultural identity, this version represents validation. It says their experience of blending traditions deserves recognition in mainstream entertainment rather than being confined to niche markets or family gatherings.
Don’t miss out on understanding why cultural fusion sparks such passionate debate!
The Critics Who Think It’s Complete Cringe
Then there’s the other side, equally passionate but significantly less impressed. Twitter (now X) became ground zero for criticism ranging from gentle mockery to outright rage about “ruining” a Christmas classic. One viral tweet summarized the negative camp perfectly: “What in the world is this PC? Why isn’t anyone talking about Priyanka Chopra’s poor choices in life? Did we really need Last Christmas with a Desi touch? Oh man. It’s giving me the ick! Major cringe.”
That “ick” reaction speaks to visceral discomfort some feel when beloved cultural artifacts get reimagined across cultural boundaries. Last Christmas has been a Christmas staple for 40 years, its melody and lyrics so ingrained in Western holiday tradition that changing it feels wrong regardless of execution quality. These critics argue certain songs achieve sacred status that demands preservation rather than reinterpretation.
Another popular criticism referenced existing Bollywood songs that already capture Last Christmas‘s heartbreak vibe without touching Western classics: “PC was on a good wicket till she decided to sing Last Christmas in Hindi. Why would anyone do that when the iconic Dil Mera Churaya Kyon exists? How can anyone go past Anu Malik singing ‘Why did you break my heart, why did you go away away?'” That comparison highlights how Bollywood already has breakup anthems that resonate culturally, making a Hindi Last Christmas seem unnecessary and potentially derivative.
The autotune criticism hurt particularly because it suggests Priyanka’s vocals needed excessive digital manipulation to sound acceptable. One user wrote: “Why is Priyanka singing Last Christmas in Hindi in horrible autotune?” That technical critique implies the song fails on fundamental musical quality beyond just conceptual issues.
The George Michael Question
George Michael died on Christmas Day 2016, making Last Christmas posthumously poignant. The song he wrote and performed with Wham! in 1984 has generated over $50 million in royalties over four decades, consistently charting every holiday season. It’s become as essential to Christmas as Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You or Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
Reimagining such an iconic track raises questions about artistic legacy and cultural ownership. Would George Michael have approved? The singer was known for embracing different musical styles and supporting younger artists. He collaborated across genres and encouraged reinterpretations of his work. But there’s a difference between covering a song straightforwardly and fundamentally altering its cultural context by inserting Hindi lyrics and Indian instrumentation.
Gurinder Chadha clearly believed George would’ve appreciated the playful fusion approach. Whether that assessment proves accurate remains subjective. Some fans feel protective of Michael’s legacy, viewing any dramatic reinterpretation as disrespectful. Others think he would’ve loved seeing his music reach new audiences through creative adaptation.
Priyanka’s Official Response
Priyanka addressed the collaboration through an official statement that emphasized friendship and cultural bridge-building: “Gurinder Chadha is a dear friend and I am so happy to support her in my little way in Christmas Karma. I hope this desi twist to a song that has long been the soundtrack of Christmas for so many of us, resonates with audiences.”
That framing positions her involvement as friendly favor rather than calculated career move. By calling it “my little way” of supporting Gurinder, Priyanka downplays the significance while acknowledging the song’s cultural importance. Her hope that it “resonates with audiences” leaves room for acceptance or rejection without demanding everyone love it.
The statement avoids directly addressing criticism, which probably represents smart PR strategy. Engaging with every negative tweet or comment would only amplify controversy. Instead, focusing on the positive intention and collaborative spirit allows the work to speak for itself.
What Happens Next
Christmas Karma hits UK, Ireland, and US theaters November 14, 2025, giving Western audiences first crack at experiencing the full film. Early reviews will determine whether Priyanka’s musical contribution enhances the movie or becomes an unfortunate distraction. The India release follows December 12, positioning the film as holiday entertainment for audiences who might appreciate the cultural fusion more organically than Western critics.
Meanwhile, Priyanka’s focus remains on Globe Trotter, SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated film co-starring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Her first look reveals drops imminently, followed by Mahesh Babu’s look on November 15. That project represents her biggest Bollywood commitment since moving to Hollywood, signaling renewed interest in Indian cinema alongside continued Western work.
The Last Christmas controversy will likely fade as newer controversies emerge, but it highlights ongoing tensions about cultural fusion, artistic ownership, and whether some art belongs to specific cultures or humanity universally. There’s no objective right answer, just passionate people defending their emotional connections to music that matters to them.
Your Verdict on the Desi Last Christmas
So what’s your honest take? Is Priyanka’s desi Last Christmas creative fusion or cultural cringe? Should classics remain untouched or do they benefit from reinterpretation across cultures? Drop your unfiltered opinions in the comments because this debate matters beyond just one song.
Share this article with anyone still arguing about whether this works or not. Follow for updates on Christmas Karma‘s release and audience reactions when the full film drops. Because at the end of the day, Priyanka Chopra took a risk, supported a fellow filmmaker, and created something that made people feel strongly one way or another, which is more than most content achieves in our algorithmically flattened entertainment landscape.
