Controversy Swirls Around Priyanka Chopra’s Desi Version of ‘Last Christmas’

Before gaining international fame with her role in Quantico (2015), Priyanka Chopra Jonas had already established herself in the music scene. Her debut single In My City (2012), featuring will.i.am, gave her a taste of global pop exposure. Although it garnered varied opinions, her follow-up, Exotic with Pitbull, became a massive success, solidifying her status as a major pop figure from India. Following contributions to popular soundtracks like Mary Kom (2014) and Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Priyanka shifted her focus back to acting and production.

Now, returning to music nearly ten years later, she has launched a new track — a desi rendition of the classic hit Last Christmas, featured in the upcoming movie Christmas Karma. The song has become a hot topic on social media, though the attention isn’t all positive.

Christmas Karma boasts a star-studded cast, including Kunal Nayyar, Eva Longoria, Billy Porter, and Boy George, and is helmed by British director Gurinder Chadha, known for her works like Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Bride and Prejudice (2004). Set to premiere on November 14, this film aims to convey a festive multicultural story. Ahead of its launch, the filmmakers released Priyanka's track — Last Christmas (Desi Version) — which retains the original melody by George Michael but adds Hindi lyrics like “Last Christmas de diya dil.”

While numerous fans are excited about Priyanka's return to music, the online reception has been mixed. A viral Reddit thread discussing the song featured criticism from users who feel it tarnished a cherished classic. Comments included, “Butchering one of the most iconic Christmas songs ever. George Michael is rolling in his grave.” Another user added, “George Michael crying in his grave.”

Some took umbrage with the translation, saying, “It’s 2025, for God’s sake! Can we still not write better Hindi lyrics for copied English songs?” A further comment stated, “Either sing the whole song in English or fully in Hindi.” Even Priyanka's loyal supporters had split opinions; one fan expressed, “I love PC! But no amount of love can change my mind that she needs to stop singing.”

Amid the backlash, discussions have surfaced regarding Bollywood artists joining forces with Western tracks to create unique cross-cultural sounds. Many supporters praise Priyanka for her bold attempt to merge languages and cultures, calling it a “courageous creative gamble.”

On the acting side, Priyanka Chopra Jonas is gearing up for her much-anticipated return to Indian cinema. She is slated to star in SS Rajamouli’s major Telugu project alongside superstar Mahesh Babu, tentatively called SSMB29. This film, expected to provide a global adventure theme, marks Priyanka's comeback to Indian cinema after a significant hiatus of international roles.