Every few years, Bollywood gives us films that blow us away and are remembered for years to come. Well, these films do not fall under that category. These were films that completely failed the its audiences, and did not have many redeeming features if it hadn’t been for their soundtrack.
They say the soundtrack can make or break a film. Well, in their case, the soundtrack definitely made the film… worth mentioning. Presenting ladies and gentlemen, 29 of Bollywood’s best soundtracks that rocked our worlds when the films failed to do so.
1. Dilwale (2015)
Hit Song: Gerua
While it grossed millions around the world, Dilwale also grossed out a world of fans out there that were expecting a story to live up to the epic Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. And were disappointed beyond words. But Dilwale did bring us epic music. It hasn’t been very long since its release, but I don’t reckon “Gerua” is going to be forgotten any time soon.
2. Shaandaar (2015)
Hit Songs: Gulabo, Nazdeekiyaan
Shaandaar failed to impress critics and the people alike despite its fairytale-like take on love, with its fairytale sets and fairytale stars. Not many, however, can deny having shaken their bum to “Gulabo” or swaying to the romantic “Nazdeekiyaan. Amit Trivedi’s music did keep the grand Indian wedding spirit alive in its soundtrack and we thank him for it.
3. Kareeb (1998)
Hit Songs: Chura Lo Na Dil Mera, Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili
This long-forgotten 1998 movie made pretty much no impression on the Indian movie-goer. Bobby Deol and Neha’s romance was drab and lost among blockbusters like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (also released that year). But Anu Malik’s music in Kareeb was far from forgettable. Admit it! Melodies like “Chura Lo Na Dil Mera” and “Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili” still brings out the love-struck school kid in many of us.
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4. Dil Hi Dil Mein (2000)
Hit Songs: Ae Nazneen Suno Na, Roja Roja
Though its Tamil original was a box office success, the Hindi version Dil Hi Dil Mein ended up being a laughable ghost of an online romance. But mind you, the two internet lovers brought us some of the most romantic A.R. Rahman music. “Ae Nazneen Suno Na”, and “Roja Roja” were tunes that made ladies everywhere swoon, and you KNOW it!
5. Jeans (1998)
Hit Songs: Tauba Tauba, Ajooba
Yet another Tollywood success that failed to make waves in Hindi! Jeans had a stunning score by A.R. Rahman with songs like “Tauba Tauba”, “Ajooba” tugging at our hearts’ strings. Even though the fake-double-role Aishwarya Rai story didn’t quite do the same.
6. Jhankaar Beats (2003)
Hit Songs: Tu Aashiqui Hai, Suno Na
The 2003 musical comedy wasn’t as comedic as it was brilliantly musical. A launching pad for music directors Vishal-Shekhar, the soundtrack for Jhankaar Beats was an absolutely delightful tribute to Pancham Da. “Suno na”, and “Tu Aashiqui Hai” among others are melodies none of us would have trouble recalling, ’cause they made their mark in our hearts.
7. Lakeer – Forbidden Lines (2004)
Hit Songs: Nach Le, Paigam, Sadiyaan
Yet another A.R. Rahman soundtrack that remains memorable to this day, despite the movie having bombed disastrously. Rahman’s collaboration with Daler Mehndi in “Nach Le” will still make your feet tap and “Paigam and Sadiyaan” are love songs that might just still make you smile shyly.
8. Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)
Hit Songs: Jhoom Barabar, Bol Na Halke Halke
The glamorous star-cast along with kajal-eyed, bohemian hat-wearing Amitabh Bacchan’s special appearance were not quite enough to make this movie a hit. But it was easily one of the biggest musical hits of the year 2007. Be it peppy numbers like “Jhoom Barabar”, and “Ticket To Hollywood” or the cutesy “Bol Na Halke Halke”, this album was certainly a bigger success than the film itself.
9. Thakshak (1999)
Hit Songs: Rang De, Khamosh Raat
Tabu dancing passionately to “Rang De”, and Ajay Devgun expressing his love in “Khamosh Raat” were moments of A.R. Rahman genius that could not be ruined by the fact that Thakshak just did not dazzle as a whole.
10. Refugee (2000)
Hit Songs: Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke Jhonke, Aisa Lagta Hai
Junior-B AND Kareena Kapoor’s big debut back in 2000 was hardly big at the box office. But “Panchi, Nadiya, Pawan Ke Jhonke”, “Aisa Lagta Hai” and “Mere Humsafar” were songs of love and longing that many across the nation gave their hearts to. The Refugee soundtrack was understated and we loved it.
11. Striker (2010)
Hit Song: Cham Cham
This story of love, heartbreak and hustling in the world of carrom starring the charming Siddharth did not do much for how badly the film fared at the cinemas. But it boasted of music that had unmissable soul. “Cham Cham” with its mesmerizing Sufi flavour and stunning lyrics is only one of the deeply touching songs from this relatively mediocre film.
12. Anwar (2007)
Hit Songs: Tose Naina Lage, Maula Mere Maula
“Tose Naina Lage” and “Maula Mere Maula” were easily two of the most popular songs for a long time, if you all remember 2007. And they came to us from the forgotten film Anwar, which certainly did not win the people over like its music did.
13. Paap (2003)
Hit Songs: Lagi Tumse Mann Ki Lagan, Garaj Baras
This John Abraham and Udita Goswami starrer, though beautifully made, did not fare well at the box office. But it was this soundtrack that gave us “Lagi Tumse Mann Ki Lagan” and the very fierce and powerful “Garaj Baras”. Who can deny the musical success of Paap, even if the movie itself was less than that.
14. Yaadein (2001)
Hit Songs: Jab Dil Mile, Eli Re Eli
An outright critical and commercial failure, Yaadein was another film that had a soundtrack that surprised everyone. Anu Malik’s music direction created songs like “Yaadien”, “Eli Re Eli” and “Jab Dil Mile” that we all listened to again and again.
15. Meenaxi: A Tale Of 3 Cities (2004)
Hit Song: Yeh Rishta
Tabu-starrer Meenaxi may have bombed at the box office, but songs like “Yeh Rishta” and “Chinnamma Chilakkamma” had the irrefutable A.R. Rahman genius dripping from them. It certainly didn’t hurt that the songs were all filmed stunningly.
16. Raavan (2010)
Hit Songs: Behne De, Beera
Bollywood’s royal couple Aishwarya Rai Bacchan and Abhishek Bacchan together couldn’t save this film from being a box office disaster. But once again, Rahman’s score could not be ignored by many. “Behne De” and “Beera” among others were songs that made us feel the darkness and adventure of the film without ever having to watch it. And if the box office is to be believed, not many did.
17. Yuvvraaj (2008)
Hit Songs: Tu Meri Dost Hai, Tu Muskura
Khan Bhai’s Yuvvraaj may have boasted of indisputable stars, but the movie utterly failed the audiences. This Subhash Ghai disaster, however, brought us songs like “Tu Meri Dost Hai” and “Tu Muskura” which were undeniably beautiful in every frame.
18. Naach (2004)
Hit Song: Bandhne Lagi, Berang Zindagi
Little known, (and for good cause) this is a film from way back when Antara Mali was still around! Naach tried do do something different, but it did not succeed. Its failure, however, could not shadow it’s remarkable soundtrack which included songs like “Bandhne Lagi.”
19. Dahek (1999)
Hit Song: Saawan Barse Tarse Dil
The film that had the romantic song for the ages – “Saawan Barse Tarse Dil” was an absolute and utter flop. Dahek’s Aadesh Shrivastava and Anand-Milind score is still pretty fresh in our memory.
20. Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999)
Hit Song: Musu Musu Haasi
Who can forget the adorable song “Musu Musu Haasi” from the movie that almost everyone forgot – Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi! The movie did pretty much nothing for the audiences, but young Dino Morea singing to college friend Rinke Khanna was a cutesy image we still haven’t managed to escape.
21. Papa Kehte Hain (1996)
Hit Song: Ghar Se Nikalte Hi
The disastrous 1996 flop, Papa Kehte Hain may not even ring bells for you. But the song “Ghar Se Nikalte Hi” was the heart-melter of the year and this mention for its magical score is certainly well-deserved.
22. Aur Pyar Ho Gaya (1997)
Hit Song: Meri Saanson Mein Basa Hai
Aishwarya Rai’s first Hindi movie and it was a flimsy story that the Indian audiences rejected entirely. What stayed with them over the years, however, was the enchanting music. “Meri Saanson Mein Basa Hai” still is a melody that makes many of us smile, even if we can’t remember much about the movie that brought it to us.
23. Dastak (1996)
Hit Song: Jaadu Bhari Aankhon Wali Suno
Yet another heart-warming romantic song that came to us from a surprisingly unimpressive movie was “Jaadu Bhari Aankhon Wali Suno”. Sushmita Sen made her debut alongside Mukul Dev in this thriller and utterly failed to thrill. But it’s soundtrack evidently did not.
24. Tum Bin (2001)
Hit Songs: Chhoti Chhoti Raatein, Koi Fariyad
A film with fresh faces, but a dormant future, 2001 film Tum Bin had music that many of us repeatedly listened to and enjoyed thoroughly. The songs that may jog your memory include “Chhoti Chhoti Raatein” and Jagjit Singh’s evergreen “Koi Fariyad.”
25. Takkar (1995)
Hit Song: Aankhon Mein Base Ho Tum
Sunil Shetty’s 1995 film Takkar did not find an enthusiastic audience, but music director Anu Malik made sure its soundtrack found eager ears. Songs like “Aankhon Mein Base Ho Tum” became overnight hits and its primarily what the movie is now remembered for!
26. Barsaat (1995)
Hit Songs: Humko Sirf Tumse Pyar Hai, Love Tujhe Love Main
Merely an average farer at the box office, Barsaat had some of the most memorable soundtracks of the year 1995. Bobby Doel serenading his lady love Twinkle Khanna with “Humko Sirf Tumse Pyar Hai” and “Love Tujhe Love Main” are still pretty fresh in our minds, and we do not mind.
27. Ye Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan (1999)
Hit Song: Mera Chand Mujhe Aaya Hai Nazar
Another gem from back when Twinkle Khanna was still acting – opposite Saif Ali Khan in this one. Beautiful melodies like “Mera Chand Mujhe Aaya Hai Nazar” dazzled audiences far more than the movie itself did.
28. Sir (1993)
Hit Song: Sun Sun Sun Barsaat Ki Dhun
Naseeruddin Shah as a cool teacher to young college students Atul Agnihotri and Pooja Bhatt did not quite catch the Indian movie-goer’s fancy as much as the film’s soundtrack did. “Sun Sun Sun Barsaat Ki Dhun” for one, sung in Kumar Sanu’s beautiful voice is a haunting and enchanting melody for the ages.
29. Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee (1993)
Hit Song: Tere Dar Par Sanam Chale Aaye
Most of us literally may not remember this film very well, simply because it failed to make much of an impact on the Bollywood scene. But truly memorable music by Anu Malik, is what keeps its legacy going. “Tere Dar Par Sanam Chale Aaye” still makes those who grew up in the 90s go weak in the knees because.. “… Tu Na Aaya Toh Hum Chale Aaye.”
I sure hope you enjoyed this little trip down Bollywood’s memory-lane. And if you ever overhear me having an argument with someone over how very important a movie’s soundtrack is – and that a good one has an identity of its own regardless of how well the movie fares – I sure hope you will come to my aid. Because where would we have been without these tunes!