While Taylor Swift can make us sashay and shimmy with her bops like no other and Joji can leave us in a puddle of our own tears with his soulful and raspy voice, there is nothing that compares to the pure artistry and rawness of Bollywood music. Personally, I’ve always found my solace and peace in Bollywood music- be it at times when everything seems too much, or while breaking a move on the dance floor. From soulful, calming tunes to downright peppy, loud numbers, Bollywood has you covered. Old Bollywood in particular has a rustic charm to it that I believe can simply be emulated by no other. From the melodious notes of Mohammed Rafi crooning, “Abhi na jaao chhod kar, ki dil abhi bhara nehi” washing over your achy heart to Sonu Nigam and Shankar Mahadevan’s enthusiastic lyrics of “Aashiq hai yeh chor nehi hai mai kya karu? Dil pe mera zor nehi hai mai kya karu?” just coursing through your veins as you power through an especially torturous leg day at the gym, Bollywood music offers you a variety like no other. As an old-school Bollywood girlie myself, the following gems from the 2000s and before would go into my perfect summer playlist!
- Koi Mil Gaya (1998) : Alka Yagnik, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Udit Narayan
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Of course, the playlist had to start with a classic SRK banger! Koi Mil Gaya is one of those songs that gives off the perfect-summery-college vibe and just sets the tone right for your summer adventures to unfold. We’re already off to a great start!
- Chaiyya chaiyaa (1998) : Sukhwinder Singh, sapna awasthi
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I don’t know about you, but for me, nothing fills me with more passion than mouthing the words, “Wo yaar hai jo khushboo ki tarah, Jiski jubaan urdu ki tarah, Meri shaam raat, Meri kaayanaat, Wo yaar mera saiyan saiyan“. This song is an all time hit for me, whatever be the occassion.
- Yeh haseen vadiyan Yeh Khula Aasman (1992) : A.r. Rahman
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For me, I imagine this song to be what it feels like to be the main character in a teen summer rom-com. Rahman’s lyrics like, “Teri palkon kee chhaanv ke tale mohabbat mujhe mil gayi” pierces the heart just right and gives a nostalgic feeling, almost like a warm hug.
- Khaabon ke Parinday (2011) : Mohit Chauhan, Alyssa Mendosa
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Can you believe it has already been more than a decade of ZNMD? The movie that bloomed in every teenager of our generation the thirst to go on a road trip was accompanied by simply unforgettable and much beloved soundtracks. What can be more liberating and freeing than hearing, “Ye hum se keh rahi hai zindagi, O-ho, ooo, ab toh, jo bhi ho so ho“?
- Say na, say na (2005) : Aneela Mirza, Robert uhlmarash, Johan bejerholm
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When Say Na, Say Na first came out, it was an instant bop, and although over the years it might have dropped off people’s radar, it continues to be a favorite of mone. All I need now is an invite to a billionaire’s engagement on a beach…
- Salaam Namaste (2005) : Vishal-sheykhar
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“Ek din, ek pal, ek jaaniya; Aaj hai kal phir udd jaaniya”, these lyrics are just bound to hit the nostalgic corner of your heart and make your body groove to the iconic hookstep. The perfect background for the perfect, fun summer.
- Jeene ke hai chaar din (2004) : sonu nigam, sunidhi chauhan
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At this point, even if you try you can’t forget Salmaan Khan doing the iconic towel hookstep to this song- it’s just core childhood memory that we’ve all accepted to live with. Sonu Nigam’s lively vocals really just lent the song a playful character and made it an instant classic. Definitely one for the books.
- Lazy Lamhe (2008) : Anusha mani
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Ameesha Patel may have had next to no influence on the movie’s plotlines but even years later, her ‘Lazy Lamhe‘ is just etched onto this generation’s brains. The sultry vibe of the song, the tantalizing lyrics all just feel like pieces coming together to fit together into the puzzle of a relaxed and laid-back summer. What can I say? Enjoy your “Lazy Lamhe“!
- Chhaliya (2008) : Sunidhi chauhan
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Remember when Kareena Kapoor emerged out of the water in a lime bikini with a size zero figure and the whole industry had its eyes on her? Wild. Chhaliya is just one of those perfect songs that while being peppy and a great dance number, is also sultry and sensuous at the same time. “I am the noor, I am the hoor, Tu jaayega kaha?“, with Sunidhi Chauhan’s powerful voice singing these lines the whole world fell in love with Kareena at that moment if they hadn’t already.
- Shut up and bounce (2008): Vishal-sheykhar
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Driving a hot pink Lamborghini to a beach? Where do I sign up? 2008 gave us some real bangers and “Shut Up and Bounce” just took it to a whole new level. Plus who can forget John Abraham’s seductive butt shot that made him the national teenage crush at that time. The groovy beats along with the lyrics, “Shut up and bounce baby, bounce; Behki behki hawayein, behki behki jaaye yeh jawaaniya” literally made us get up and bounce!
- Khuda jaane (2008) : K.K., Shilpa Rao
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One amongst many of KK’s musical geniuses, no summer playlist is complete without Khuda Jaane. The surreal visuals of falling into a young summer love paired with the warm caress of KK and Shilpa Rao’s vocals send you to a happy place and instantly calm you down. ‘Khuda jaane yeh kyu hua hai, ki bann gaye ho tum mere khuda‘ will never not be romantic or fail to make me swoon.
- AAo milon chale (2007) : shaan
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Before there was Hairat or Illahi there was Aao Milon Chale which was the ultimate wanderlust song of the 00s. Couple that with the fan-favourite pairing of Shahid and Kareena, nothing could stop the song from an instant hit. Shaan’s breezy voice just absolutely makes you forget all your worries and fills you with a sense of summer bliss and that makes this song a must on my summer playlist.
- Nazrein milaana, nazrein churaana (2008): benny dayal
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Probably the sweetest and most bubble pop song on the list, this song managed to capture hearts immediately and to date is one of my favourite feel-good songs. The whole visual about a group of friends going on a trip beautifully ties in with the happy and playful lyrics. One of those songs that just can’t miss.
- Aye udi udi udi (2002) : adnan sami
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Listening to this song immediately makes a playful montage unfold in your head and just draws out happiness from within you. One of the best from Adnan Sami.
- it’s the time to disco (2003): Shaan
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Had to end the list with my favorite. Back in 2003 this song was an instant hit and nearly every person has a core memory of themself as a kid attached to this song. The vibrant club atmosphere, the groovy and peppy beats, the infamous hook step- all of it just make it the perfect summer evening dance number. In the words of Shaan, “Taal pe jab jhoome badan, Hichkichana sharmana kya?“
Hopefully, these songs brought out the summer child in you and fill you with a sense of whimsy and happiness that summer brings with it. Well then, what are you waiting for? Get a ‘groove’ on and go ahead and make your perfect summer playlist!