"Chahe Tum Kuch Na Kaho, Maine Sun Liya. Ke Saathi Pyar Ka, Mujhe Chun Liya"
The 1990s era produced many wonderful Bollywood love songs, depicting true love, simplicity and innocence. These romantic tracks from the golden age were beautifully soft, melodious and powerful with depth.
During this decade, many people heard their favourite filmy love songs via cassettes, CD’s, VCD’s, DVD’s and on radio.
The spread of commercial television and the launch of private music channels such as B4U Music provided yet another platform for these songs to become more popular with increased visibility.
After a successful launch during the 1980s, playback singers like Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan and Sadhana Sargam were the voices behind several iconic tracks during the 90s. Not forgetting other popular artists like Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal and Hariharan.
DESIblitz presents you 10 best Bollywood love songs from the 90s!
1. Mujhe Neend Na Aaye ~ Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal: Dil (1990)
This song transcends the listener to the dreamy world of Pyaar, Ishq and Mohabbat.
In the video, one sees a young Aamir Khan and Madhuri Dixit romancing in a valley, talking about their sleepless nights and wondering where their heart is lost.
The beautiful lyrics have been penned by Sameer. The line: “Poocho Zara Poocho Kya Haal Hai. Haal Mera Behaal Hai,” describes the deep feelings of the two lovers.
Feeling nostalgic, Fida Imam comments on YouTube: “Old is gold. Sahi kaha, mujhe apna bachpan yaad ajata hai. I love this song too much.”
2. Dheere Dheere Se ~ Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal: Aashiqui (1990)
The evergreen track composed by Nadeem-Shravan shows love birds Rahul Roy and Anu Agarwal who are unable to live without each other. This track was one of the most popular Bollywood love songs in the 1990s.
Highly praising the album, Rakesh Budhu of Planet Bollywood comments:
“Rani Mallik is just perfect with her lyrical contribution to the soundtrack. Again, Anuradha Paudwal and Kumar Sanu sing beautifully, though Sanu does hit the nasal portions at times.”
Inspired by the original track, a music video was created with vocals by Yo Yo Honey Singh, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Sonam Kapoor. The video has over 100 million views on YouTube.
3. Dhak Dhak Karne Laga ~ Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal: Beta (1992)
This song gave Madhuri the title, ‘Dhak Dhak’ girl. Undoubtedly, this is the most seductive composition by Anand-Milind. It can also be considered as the ‘Kate Nahin Kat Te’ of the 1990s!
The scintillating lyrics by Sameer: “Jadoo Tera Chaane Laga, Meri Nas Nas Mein Samaane Laga,” show how the magic of Anil Kapoor has grown onto Madhuri Dixit.
Speaking to the media, Madhuri mentions how this iconic song was shot over five days:
“This was added last minute to the movie. I had to leave for an outdoor (shoot), so we had to finish it in that little time slot. We were shooting at a neck-break speed. We never even knew that it was gonna be this big!”
4. Pehla Nasha ~ Udit Narayan, Sadhana Sargam: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
“Chahe Tum Kuch Na Kaho, Maine Sun Liya. Ke Saathi Pyar Ka, Mujhe Chun Liya.” From this opening line of the track, one cannot help but fall in love with this musical Jatin-Lalit song.
Starring Aamir Khan and Ayesha Jhulka in the video, the two actors can be seen daydreaming and falling in love with each other. This is a song which sounds fresh in every decade.
‘Pehla Nasha’ also happens to be Farah Khan’s first choreographed song. Farah talks about her experience:
“It was my first song and I was taking over from a very big choreographer Saroj Khan and I was the fourth assistant there. One person who really helped me a lot that time was Aamir Khan.”
The song celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017.
Listen to our full playlist of Top Bollywood Love Songs from the 1990s here:
Mujhe Neend Na Aaye ~ Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal: Dil (1990)
Dheere Dheere Se ~ Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal: Aashiqui (1990)
Dhak Dhak Karne Laga ~ Udit Narayan, Anuradha Paudwal: Beta (1992)
Pehla Nasha ~ Udit Narayan, Sadhana Sargam: Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
Ek Ladki Ko Dekha ~ Kumar Sanu: 1942: A Love Story (1994)
Tujhe Dekha ~ Kumar Sanu, Lata Mangeshkar: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
Bahon Ke Darmiyan ~ Hariharan, Alka Yagnik: Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)
Title Track ~ Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Jo Haal Dil Ka ~ Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik: Sarfarosh (1999)
Chand Chupa Badal ~ Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
5. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha ~ Kumar Sanu: 1942: A Love Story (1994)
The soundtrack of 1942: A Love Story was RD Burman’s last album to release, while the music was composed before his death.
Kumar Sanu’s velvety vocals are truly loveable. Furthermore, it is Javed Akhtar’s similes in the lyrics which are heart-warming. “Khilta Gulaab Jaise, Shaayar Ka Khwaab,” these poetic comparisons emphasise the beauty of love.
On YouTube, Sunny Singh comments: “Anybody in this world who hates this song is not a music lover… This is seriously one of the best songs… Ever.”
6. Tujhe Dekha ~ Kumar Sanu, Lata Mangeshkar: Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)
In this track, Shahrukh Khan and Kajol are declaring their love amongst mustard fields. ‘Tujhe Dekha’ is undoubtedly one of the top Bollywood love Songs from the 90s.
The song brings together music dignitaries: Kumar Sanu, Lata Mangeshkar and Jatin-Lalit. This is a track, which gave SRK his signature pose of standing with his arms wide open. The way ‘Senorita’ Kajol runs towards him became a defining moment in Indian cinema.
Applauding the song on Music Aloud, Vipin notes:
“Tujhe Dekha is the clear winner. Composers get the melody bang on in this one, and the vocals are fab – once again lovely use of the chorus.”
Also, Anand Bakshi won the Filmfare Award for ‘Best Lyricist’ at the time.
7. Bahon Ke Darmiyan ~ Hariharan, Alka Yagnik: Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)
Salman Khan and Manisha Koirala embrace in this song, talking about how two loves are meeting. With the eloquent and subtle expressions, Sanjay Leela Bhansali enchants the audience.
Majrooh Sultanpuri’s warm lyrics and Jatin-Lalit’s unconventional composition is what works. Plus, Hariharan and Alka Yagnik’s vocal combination is lightly seductive and melts the heart.
Santish Borfalkar positively states on YouTube: “Hariharan! So this is how it feels silk on ears. Such a soothing song calms your mind. Great music!”
8. Title Track ~ Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
“Tum Paas Aaye, Yun Muskuraye, Tum Ne Na Jaane Kya, Sapne Dikhaye.” Back in the 90s, who knew that this romantic track would become such a hit song?!
Uniting Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherji for the very first time, ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ is a track like no other. In fact, Alka Yagnik’s vocals were appreciated so much that she won the National and Zee Cine Award for ‘Best Female Playback Singer’.
SRK fan Nabaa enjoys the song on YouTube and says: “I watch it in 2016. And in 2030 I will watch it again and again :).”
9. Jo Haal Dil Ka ~ Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik: Sarfarosh (1999)
A love song like no other. The beauty about this track is how there is a rock theme to it. Another, Jatin-Lalit goldie!
The song portrays how both Aamir Khan and Sonali Bendre have slowly fallen in love. Watching their romance in water is truly sizzling as well.
Alka Yagnik steals the show when singing the line: “Gale Se Laga Loon, Labon Pe Saja Loon. Tere Afsaanon Ko, Main Apna Bana Loon.”
Furthermore, the waterfall and rainy setting emphasise the visual appeal of the track!
Benjamin Barry can’t get enough of this song on YouTube: “This is one of the best evergreen romantic songs of Bollywood.”
10. Chand Chupa Badal ~ Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik: Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Sanjay Leela Bhansali creates a memorable moment of Karva Chauth with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the video.
Ismail Darbar’s composition, Udit-Alka’s vocals and Sameer’s lyrics leave you no option but to be enamoured by this mesmerising song!
Describing the song’s concept, Vikas Bhatnagar of Planet Bollywood writes:
“With an extremely melodious and uncomplicated tune, Alka and Udit narrate the hide-and-seek games of the moon, with a lot of chhed-chhad thrown in between.”
Overall, these were 10 memorable Bollywood love songs from the 90s. But there are many more tracks which remain popular and fresh to this day. Here are a few more of them:
“Dekha Hai Pehli Baar” (Saajan: 1991), “Wada Raha Sanam” (Khiladi: 1992), “Aisi Deewangi” (Deewana: 1992), “Bin Tere Sanam”(Yaara Dildara: 1993), “Tere Dar Par Sanam” (Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee: 1993) “Raah Mein Unse Mulaqat” (Vijaypath: 1994), “Do Dil Mil Rahe Hai” (Pardes: 1997) and “Pyar Kiya To Nibhana” (Major Saab: 1998).
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