Top 30 Bollywood Duets of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik

Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik are counted among the top rated playback singers of Bollywood ever with a very huge fan following crowd, and definitely are among the top singers representing new generation Bollywood music. While Alka Yagnik joined film industry in the early 1980s and established as the leading female voice of Bollywood in the early 1990s, Sonu Nigam joined film industry in the early 1990s, and established as the leading male voice of Bollywood with the rise of new millennium. Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik gave some of the finest romantic duets of Bollywood belonging to new generation, especially in the first half of 2000s, when Alka was at her career peak and Sonu Nigam just established himself as the leading male voice.

Before Shreya Ghoshal became the leading female voice, Alka recorded some of the finest solos, as well as duets with Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan and Sonu Nigam. Through this column I shall list 30 of their best songs (I tried to conclude with 20 or 25 film songs which I failed), along with a list of 25+ songs for your playlist. It was not easy task for me, as both the singers were regular since late 1990 till mid-2000s, and it was a teadious process to check each and every movie featuring their songs. There was no complete list of their film songs/movies available online. So please appreciate my efforts, and if I have missed any good song, please let me know. Here is the list of 30 best duets of Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam. Please note, I have excluded a few songs from the main list, to mention more films in the list.

1. Mere Humsafar from Refugee (2000) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Let me begin with one of the top favourite romantic duets ever in Hindi cinema. The film compositions gave Anu Malik his first National award, and also a special mention at Filmfare. All the songs, mostly recorded in Sonu Nigam & Alka Yagnik’s voice were extremely popular. The song featured Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor in a romantic mood, and she prevents him to go. Refugee was the debut of both these actors too. Mere Humsafar is definitely one of the finest compositions of Anu Malik’s career, but not a fresh tune. Its mukda is loosely inspired from Main Tumhari Ragini Tum Geet Ho from Roop Sundari composed by his father Sardar Malik, who also remained a successful composer in the Bollywood yesterdays.   

2. Aisa Lagta Hai from Refugee (2000) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Refugee is one of the finest works of Anu Malik’s career, and there is not even a single weak track in the entire album. There are 6 tracks of which 4 songs belong to Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik including Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke and Taal Pe Jab – finest ones. I like all these four tracks, along with Udit Narayan-Alka Yagnik track, Raat Ki Hatheli Par.

Anu Malik was one of the early composers who experimented with the combination of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik for duets in the early 2000s (Humein Jab Se Mohabbat from Border released in 1997 was the first noticed song of this trio) and later many composers followed the same suit. Composers like Jatin-Lalit, Anand-Milind, Himesh Reshammiya, Ismail Darbar, Rajesh Roshan and A. R. Rahman also recorded their duets as early as new millennium began.

3. Kuchh Kasme from Ankhein (2002) – Music: Jatin-Lalit, Lyrics: Praveen Bhardwaj

This song featuring Arjun Rampal and Sushmita Sen was edited out in the final cut of the movie. I couldn’t figure out why the director did so, with such a beautiful duet of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. Praveen Bhardwaj is a less-heard name in Bollywood cinema, but his wordings, ‘Kuch Kasme Hain Jawan’ is really wonderful. He penned down the lyrics for all songs composed by Jatin-Lalit.

4. Suraj Hua Maddham from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) – Music: Jatin Lalit, Lyrics: Anil Pandey

The movie was one of the early experiments of assembling three or more music composers for a single album with good budget and A-list actors and crew, and this procedure is still trending in Bollywood. The movie had three composers – Jatin Lalit and Sandesh Shandilya composed 5 songs each and Aadesh Shrivastava who was a guest composer, composed a single song. In those 5 tracks, Sandesh Shandilya used the voices of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik to record three duets – Suraj Hua Maddham, You Are My Soniya and Deewana Hai Dekho, and all of them were extremely popular.

 

Suraj Hua Maddham is one of the finest and popular romantic songs ever filmed on celebrated screen pair, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, and it was the first romantic song filmed on them after Kajol’s marriage with Ajay Devgan, and their first film after a break of 4 years. Anil Pandey who wrote the lyrics of one of the best evergreen romantic songs of Bollywood was never heard later. He received three nominations including Filmfare for best lyricist.

5. You Are My Soniya from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) – Music: Jatin Lalit, Lyrics: Sameer

This foot-tapping song was filmed on Hrithik roshan and Kareena Kapoor, who look extremely hot together on screen. It’s for the first time they shared screen space for a Bollywood film, and the only commercial hit.

6. Pyar Dilon Ka Mela from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) – Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Lyrics: Sudhakar Sharma

After Anu Malik in Refugee, Himesh Reshammiya remained yet another early composer who exclusively used the voices of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik to record almost all duets filmed on lead pair, as early in year 2000. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge was one of the high rated albums of the year, and out of 8 released songs, 5 duets exclusively belonged to Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. Thus, after Refugee with 4 duets, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge with 6 duets (with one unreleased song included) became the second album to feature maximum number of Sonu Nigam-Alka Yagnik duets, and it started a new trend of their duets, at least for a few years to follow.

7. Tera Pallu from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) – Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Lyrics: Sudhakar Sharma

All the duets of the movie were filmed on Salman Khan and Karishma Kapoor, and there is not even a single weak track in the album. In fact I love all the duets of the album (including a couple of Kumar Sanu songs). I just made a choice of couple of duets, so that I can add more films to the list. “Dheere Dheere Chalna”, “O Mr Raja” and “Chhamiya” – all sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik are also counted among my personal favourites always.

8. Pyar Tune Kya Kiya from Pyar Tune Kya Kiya (2001) – Music: Sandeep Chowta, Lyrics: Nitin Raikwar

This title track became a rage among the youth, along with Sonu Nigam-Asha Bhosle duet, “Kambakth Ishq“. The song was filmed on Fardeen Khan and Urmila Matondkar, who played an obsessive lover in the film.

9. Chori Chori from Om Jai Jagadish (2002) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Sameer

The romantic song was filmed on Abhishek Bachchan and Tara Sharma in a desert, and it was not an easy task. But definitely the song is lovely. Kunal Ganjawala provided back vocals for the song.

10. Jaaneman Jaane Jaan from Kya Kehna (2000) – Music: Rajesh Roshan, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

This dance number was filmed on Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan. Saif played a grey shaded character for the first time in his career through Kya Kehna. It was one of the last works of legendary lyricist and poet, Majrooh Sultanpuri, who died the same year. He penned lyrics for all the 8 tracks of the album.

11. Tumhi Dekho Naa from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) – Music: Jatin Lalit, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

This super romantic song pictured on Shah Rukh and Rani was extremely popular for its splendid locations and beautiful saris of Rani Mukerji. All the songs of the movie were chartbusters. The movie included some peppy numbers like Rock ‘N’ Roll Soniye and Where’s The Party Tonight? 

12. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna from Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (2006) – Music: Jatin Lalit, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Throughout 2000s till “Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte” of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi in 2008, Sonu Nigam sang majority of hit songs for Shah Rukh Khan. SRK’s hit songs – Yeh Dil Diwana of Pardes, followed by Satrangi Re of Dil Se gave major breaks to Sonu Nigam’s career too. The title track of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna featured SRK, Rani Mukerjee and Abhishek Bachchan.

13. Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se from Dhadkan (2000) – Music: Nadeem Shravan, Lyrics: Sameer

The movie is best remembered for its songs, and this particular track has two versions. Both versions had Alka Yagnik as the female voice. While Alka, Udit Narayan & Kumar Sanu version was filmed as a sweet romantic song, Sonu Nigam-Alka Yagnik version was filmed as a sensuous one in Suniel Shetty’s imagination. Both the versions featured Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty. It’s the single track of Sonu Nigam in the entire album. In those days many music composers used Sonu Nigam’s voice to record sensuous songs, this song being the best instance. Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein is yet another very popular song of the album.

14. Haye Dil Ki Baazi Laga from 1 2 Ka 4 (2001) – Music: A. R. Rahman, Lyrics: Mehboob

The song was filmed on popular star Jodi, Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla. The movie also included a few hit songs like Khamoshiyan Gungunane Lagi penned by Mehboob. Apart from Mehboob, Majrooh Sultanpuri also penned lyrics for a few songs, and the movie was released after his death. A. R. Rahman mostly recorded Alka Yagnik’s duets with Udit Narayan, and ‘Dil Ki Baazi’ is one of her rare duets with Sonu in Rahman’s music.

15. Banke Tera Jogi from Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000) – Music: Jatin Lalit, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

This dance sequence featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Satish Shah is a robbery scene, filmed in a comic mood. Though the movie was a flop, its songs were well received.

16. Meri Neend Jaane Lagi Hai from Chal Mere Bhai (2000) – Music: Anand Milind, Lyrics: Sameer

Throughout 1990s and early 2000s, Sameer remained the most busy lyricist of Hindi cinema. He wrote countless romantic songs for different music composers, and frequently worked with Anand Milind, Anu Malik,Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin-Lalit etc. This romantic track is a dream sequence filmed on Sanjay Dutt and Karishma Kapoor.

17. Chori Chori from Lucky: No Time for Love (2005) – Music: Adnan Sami, Lyrics: Sameer

Adnam Sami turned a music composer with this movie. Though the film flopped, the songs got noticed. Salman Khan launched 16-year old Sneha Ullal through this movie. The song is too cute to watch onscreen.

18. Pardesi from Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaaye (2000) – Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Lyrics: Sudhakar Sharma

The song had more than one version, and it’s the most melodious track of the album. Rani Mukerji and Salman Khan feature in different versions of the songs. The song was used in the film climax as well, which unites the lovers. Definitely it’s one of the finest songs of Sonu Nigam composed by Himesh Reshammiya.

19. Dil Mein Jo Baat from Run (2004) – Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Lyrics: Sameer

Melodious music by Himesh Reshammiya was well-appreciated though the movie couldn’t replicate the success of original version with the same name starring Madhavan and Meera Jasmine. All the romantic songs were filmed on Abhishek Bachchan and Bhumika Chawla. The movie also included Chain Ho Chain Ho, yet another popular duet of the duo.

20. Tu Fiza Hai from Fiza (2000) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Gulzar

Year 2000 established Sonu Nigam as the most sought after male voice of Bollywood. The title track of Fiza proved himself to be the new emperor of soft and melody songs of Bollywood. His songs for the movies released in 2000 – Tera Jaadu Chal Gaya, Refugee, Chal Mere Bhai, Dulhan Hum Le Jaayenge, Jungle etc were very popular. It was year 2000 which began the series of successful collaboration of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik for romantic duets, which continued for a few more years, and Anu Malik also played a magnificent role in it. Sonu’s second album, Jaan was also released the same year, followed by Yaad in 2001. This song was filmed on Karishma Kapoor and Bikram Saluja. Sonu Nigam earned a Filmfare nomination for best playback singer (male) while Anu Malik also earned a nomination for its music.

21. Pehli Pehli Baar Hai from Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai (2002) – Music: Sajid-Wajid, Lyrics: Jalees Sherwani

All the songs were penned by Jalees Sherwani, a less-known screenwriter, dialogue writer and lyricist who passed away in 2018. The title song filmed on Aftab Shivdasani and Amisha Patel is extremely melodious to hear. Earlier Sajid-Wajid composed the songs of Sonu Nigam’s private album Deewana, which played a magnificent role in establishing him as a romantic voice of Hindi songs.

22. O Mahive from Kya Yehi Pyaar Hai (2002) – Music: Sajid-Wajid, Lyrics: Jalees Sherwani

The song was filmed on Aftab Shivdasani and Amisha Patel. This club song is a dance sequence too, featuring background dancers.

23. Chamakti Shaam Hai from Yadein (2001) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

The song was picturised on Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor & Kiran Rathod, and is a dance number. Yadein was one among the last works of Anand Bakshi as a lyricist before he passed away in 2002.

24. Aate Jaate Jo Milta Hai from Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Sameer

This Alka Yagnik – Sonu Nigam duet is indeed very lovely. The song was filmed on Preity Zinta and Salman Khan, who are in the middle of a journey and they make an amazing screen pair together. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega was their first film together, along with Rani Mukerjee.

25. Mujhe Pyar Karo from Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000) – Music: Ismail Darbar, Lyrics: Sameer

Tera Jadu Chal Gaya was only the second release of Abhishek Bachchan, and though the movie was a major flop, the melodious tunes composed by National award winning composer Ismail Darbar got noticed. The music composer used Sonu Nigam’s voice to record 4 songs of Abhishek (Anu Malik too used the same for his debut movie) and all are duets. Two of them belong to Alka Yagnik as well and both are featured in my list. This particular song is a dance sequence featuring Abhishek, Kirti Reddy and Sanjay Reddy, where the hero asks heroine to love him, though not real.

26. Aai Chand Teri Chandni from Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000) – Music: Ismail Darbar, Lyrics: Sameer

Sonu Nigam’s voice was used to record all soft romantic duets of the album featuring Junior Bachchan, while voices of Babul Supriyo and Vinod Rathod were used to record peppy numbers. Definitely the romantic tracks sung by Sonu stood out.

27. Hawa Sun Hawa from Ada – A Way of Life (2010) – Music: A. R. Rahman, Lyrics: Nusrat Badr

The film sank without any traces. Yet most of the songs featuring Ayaan Ahmad and Nauheed Cyrusi got noticed. The movie also marked the Bollywood debut of south Indian veteran playback singer, P. Jayachandran. Lyrics of this particular song were penned by Nusrat Badr, who frequently worked with Rahman.

28. Humein Jab Se Mohabbat from Border (1997) – Music: Anu Malik, Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Though Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik have sung a few duets earlier, Humein Jab Se Mohabbat composed by Anu Malik was their first noticed song. The movie included several popular songs, including the very popular “Sandese Aate Hain“, which gave a major break to Sonu Nigam, who was a struggling singer till then. He received his first film award for the songs of Border. Humein Jab Se Mohabbat was filmed on Akshaye Khanna and Pooja Bhatt. In 1999 composer recorded a few peppy duets in the voices of Alka and Sonu Nigam, for the movie – Haseena Maan Jayege, before Sonu Nigam established as the leading male playback voice of Bollywood.

29. Chal Pyar Karegi from Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998) – Music: Jatin Lalit, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

This dance sequence was filmed on Twinkle Khanna and Salman Khan, and one of the early duets of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik. The film was a box office hit too.

30. Chand Ho from Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) – Music: Viju Shah, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

The sensuous song was filmed on Arjun Rampal and Monica Bedi. Arjun pretends to be the lover of Monica, and the song was lovely filmed near a waterfall. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sonu Nigam has rendered his voice for numerous sensuous Bollywood songs, and this particular song is one such. 

A few more memorable duets of Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik

1. O Mr Raja from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)

2. Dheere Dheere Chalna from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)

3. Chhamiya from Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)

4. Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke from Refugee (2000)

5. Taal Pe Jab from Refugee (2000)

6. Aaja Soniya from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)

7. Abhi Saans Lene Ki Fursat Nahin from Jeet (1996)

8. Aisa Deewana Hua Hai from Dil Maange More (2004)

9. Allah Allah from Jeena Sirf Mere Liye (2002)

10. Allah Kare Dil Na Lage from Andaaz (2003)

11. Aur Tum Aaye from Dosti: Friends Forever (2005)

12. Behka Diya Hamein from Umrao Jaan (2006)

13. Bindiya Chamke Choodi Khanke from Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002)

14. Chain Ho Chain Ho from Run (2004)

15. Chehra Tera Jab Jab from Yakeen (2005)

16. Deewana Hai Ye Mann from Chori Chori Chupke Chupke(2001) 

17. Dil Deewana Bekarar Hone Laga Hai from Janasheen (2003)

18. Dil Dhak Dhak Karta Hai from Joi No: 1 (2001)

19. Ishq Kamina from Shakti: The Power (2002)

20. Kal Nau Baje from Short Kut – The Con Is On (2011)

21. Khamoshi Aashiqon Ki Hai Zubaan from Agnipankh (2004)

22. Kya Hua Tujhe from Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002)

23. Maine Dil Tumhe De Diya from Blackmail (2005)

24. Tum Chain Ho Karar Ho from Milenge Milenge (2010) 

25. Mujhe Tune Jo Dekha from Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003)

26. Koi Bheege Hai Rang Se from Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003)

27. Shaher Ka Jadoo Re from Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost (2003)

28. Deewana Hai Dekho from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

29. What is Mobile Number from Haseena Maan Jayengee (1999)

30. I Love You Bol Daal from Haseena Maan Jayengee (1999)

Sonu Nigam remains the most romantic male voice since early 2000s. Click on the gallery images to read a few articles on this versatile singer. Here is the page link.