Few Kannada film songs have captured that curious relationship between time and memory like ‘If you come today’, from the 1978 spy thriller Operation Diamond Racket, starring celebrated actor Rajkumar. Composed by G.K. Venkatesh and written by Chi. Udaya Shankar, it was sung by Rajkumar. The actor, known for his deep love for Kannada, broke convention with a song peppered with English lyrics. Resplendent in a pink vest and matching bow tie, he delivers the lines with an infectious conviction: “If you come today, it’s too early; if you come tomorrow, it’s too late… you pick the time. Tick tick tick tick tick… darling!” The playful words, buoyant composition and Rajkumar’s spirited rendition turned the song into a cult classic.

Nearly five decades later, the song continues to fascinate social-media users, amuse listeners overseas and intrigue those who dissect its bizarre English lyrics and possible meanings. Musicians, too, have found new ways to reinterpret it through remixes, hip-hop and rap. The latest to join the bandwagon is Kannada rapper Karthik Gubbi, known simply as Gubbi.

For him, the song was an obvious choice when SaReGaMa invited him to select a number from its catalogue for a contemporary reinterpretation. “With its playful ticking rhythm, brassy flourishes and unmistakable nostalgia, ‘If you come today’ seemed perfect for a hip-hop makeover. I chose this song because it’s a cult classic,” says Gubbi, who believes it continues to resonate across generations.

The poster of the film, Operation Diamond Racket.

The song arrived at a time when hearing a leading Kannada star sing in English was not common. Yet Rajkumar, at the height of his popularity, approached it with sincerity, turning what could have been a novelty into something unforgettable.

Directed by Niranjan Kumar, the track features him alongside actor Nithya Shri and dancers from OG’s Dance Lab Co.

The decision to revisit the song also reflects hip-hop’s long relationship with retro music. Sampling or taking portions of existing recordings and building new compositions around them, has been central to the genre since its beginnings. Gubbi explains how early hip-hop drew inspiration from jazz, blues and funk records, transforming familiar sounds into something new.

Behind the scenes of the the hip hop version with actor Nithya Shri
| Photo Credit:
Courtesy: Gubbi

“Sampling has always been a huge part of hip-hop,” says Gubbi, who adds: “But when it comes to music in India, people are sensitive about these, especially when you’re touching a classic song.” That sensitivity makes the reinterpretation of a beloved song a delicate exercise. The challenge is to give it a fresh identity without sacrificing the qualities that made listeners fall in love with it in the first place.

What particularly drew Gubbi to the song was its musical character. “The repetitive ticking motif, the horn passages and the prominent wind sections,” he says, “reminded me of the soundscapes that shaped old-school hip-hop. Just the whole ‘tick, tick, tick’ bit and the rest make it very core hip-hop for me,” he shares.

The texture of the original recording was another attraction. The imperfections, warmth and character of vintage music, he believes, lend recordings a human quality that contemporary production can sometimes smooth away. Rather than polishing the song into something unrecognisable, he wanted to work with the personality already embedded within it.

The new version therefore does not simply place rap verses over Rajkumar’s original arrangement. Instead, it deliberately signals a transition between eras including portions of the original. A radio-tuning effect bridges the familiar sound of the 1970s recording and the contemporary sonic landscape. 

Gubbi’s version of the classic
| Photo Credit:
Courtesy: Gubbi

The remix’s official release on streaming platforms is listed under Rajkumar’s artiste page, alongside Gubbi’s own version. Its  popularity is evident from the response it has received online.  

Says Gubbi, “Rajkumar was a trained vocalist whose performances carried emotion and conviction. I think that’s why these songs are timeless classics.”

The song refuses to fully explain itself — is it a love song, a musing on timing, or simply an exercise in playful absurdity? Depending on when one encounters it, it can be all three.

But if you are still wondering what it is all about, perhaps the song’s closing lines offer the best clue:

‘What did you say? Hey… What did you say? Nothing. Oh… It’s Alright.’

Published – November 09, 2026 10:57 am IST