Top 20 Bollywood Duets of Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle

Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle – one of the most celebrated playback singing pairs in the golden era of Hindi cinema! Asha Bhosle holds the record of singing maximum number of songs with both Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar, though her elder sister Lata Mangeshkar remained the top female voice of 1950s and 1960s, associated with many popular romantic songs. When Asha Bhosle recorded her biggest chartbuster duets with Kishore Kumar in the 1970s, she also owns many soft romantic duets with Mohammed Rafi in the 1950s and 1960s. Please read: Top Kishore Kumar – Asha Bhosle duets.

Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar had a difference in opinion related to royalty issues of songs somewhere in the mid-1960s. They never talked to each other for six years or recorded any duets together during this period. Asha Bhosle along with Suman Kalyanpur got benefitted by this, and both went on to record maximum duets with Rafi in the mid-1960s followed by second half of the decade, that can be termed as the glorious era of Hindi music. Read the list of top Rafi – Suman Kalyanpur duets. In this post, let me list 50+ golden duets of Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Apart from melodious and soft romantic songs, they also own many fast tracks including qawalis and dance numbers.

Top 20 Rafi – Asha Bollywood duets

1. Ude Jab Jab Zulfe from Naya Daur (1957) (Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

Let us begin the list with a fun filled dance sequence starring Dilip kumar and Vyjayanthimala. The song was lovely pictured and still loved by Dilip fans. Majority of Dilip Kumar songs were originally sung by Rafi. The album exclusively belongs to Rafi and Asha, and the songs also played a magnificent role in building the career of Asha Bhosle as a leading playback singer in the second half of 1950s. The movie also included Rafi-Asha duets like Saathi Haath Badhana and Maang Ke Saath, both featuring the lead pair. Nayyar bagged his single Filmfare award for best music for this movie, apart from two more nominations in the late 1950s.

2. Zameen Se Hamein Aasmaan Par from Adalat (1958) (Lyricist: Music Composer: Madan Mohan)

Madan Mohan is best known for reserving his career best songs for Lata Mangeshkar, just as the case of Nayyar for Asha. Read more: But there have been rare instances when he used Asha Bhosle’s voice to record a few songs, and in the case of romantic duets, it’s very rare. For the movie Adalat, Madan Mohan used Asha bhosle’s voice to record both the duets with Rafi – Jab Din Haseen Dil Ho Jawaan and Zameen Se Hamein Aasmaan. This particular romantic song was filmed on Pradeep Kumar and Nargis.

3. Chura Liya Hai from Yaadon Ke Barat (1973) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: R. D. Burman)

This unforgettable tune was originally inspired from English song, If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium from the soundtrack of the 1969 film of the same name. But Burman made his tune his own, by adding his own distinct elements. No doubt, it’s one of the most popular and wonderful duets ever sung by Rafi and Asha, and the actors – Zeenat Aman and Vijay Arora too shined in its joyful picturization. The man known for using unheard and weird ‘music instruments’ for his song recordings to create some rare music tinkled a spoon against the glass to give a unique touch to the song in the beginning, and it was an instant hit.

4. Deewana Hua Badal from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) (Lyricist: S. H. Bihari, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

 

The movie marked Bollywood debut of Sharmila Tagore, and O. P. Nayyar used voices of Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle to record all the songs of its lead pair. Asha Bhosle’s voice was a perfect match to Sharmila, and since then many composers regularly used Asha’s voice to record songs for Sharmila Tagore. The movie also included Asha’s popular duets with Rafi – Ishare and Meri Jaan Balle Balle. It’s one of the very rarest Shammi Kapoor movie composed by Nayyar.

5. Isharon Isharon from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) (Lyricist: S.H. Bihari, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

This duet featuring the lead pair Shammi and Sharmila is a soft number, filmed in beautiful Kashmir. O.P. Nayyar used the Asha Bhosle-Mohammad Rafi duo’s voices to record his most popular duets, and songs of Kashmir Ki Kali, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina, Tumsa Nahi Dekha etc remain immensely popular to this day.

6. Gunguna Rahi Hai from Aradhana (1969) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Music Composer: S. D. Burman)

Whenever the topic of Aradhana’s music comes into discussion Rafi’s name definitely comes up. It is because the songs of Aradhana virtually ended the supremacy of Rafi in Bollywood, and made Kishore Kumar an overnight sensation with two solos, which were originally meant for Rafi. We can’t change the destiny, and leave the discussion here to focus on the beauty of two duets sung by Rafi for the movie. Gunguna Rahi Hai and Bahom Mein Bahar Hai – both the duets are beautiful, filmed on Rajesh Khanna aside Sharmila Tagore and Farida Jalal respectively. Bahom Mein Bahar Hai is a lovely duet with Lata.

7. O Mere Sona Re from Teesri Manzil (1966) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: R. D. Burman)

You might think why I selected three duets from the same movie for a list of 20 best songs. As a music fan, can you avoid any of these three, when we talk about best duets of Rafi and Asha? And, so am I! It’s the first successful association of Asha Bhosle & R. D. Burman, at a time when Asha’s voice was mostly used by Nayyar. In this fun-filled song, we can see Asha Parekh trying to pacify Shammi Kapoor, and romance blossoms very soon. Burman pioneered the use of electronic organ in Indian music scene through this song. 

8. O Haseena from Teesri Manzil (1966) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: R. D. Burman)

It’s one of the top items ever pictured on Helen, and Shammi Kapoor is also seen dancing along with her. The song proved to be a major turning point of Helen’s career, who danced to numerous hit tunes of Burman in the 1970s, mostly in Asha’s voice. Herman Benjamin choreographed the dance steps.

9. Aaja Aaja from Teesri Manzil (1966) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: R. D. Burman)

R. D created high octave songs of the movie with a blend of rock, jazz, Latino and a twist of his own unique traits, which stood against the test of time. Two rock numbers with heavy western music instruments and dance steps choreographed by Herman Benjamin made them huge chartbusters of the year. In those days only a few composers attempted in westernizing Indian tunes. Asha Parekh dances with Shammi Kapoor in some unique dance steps, quite matching his dancing style and eccentricity.

10. Bahut Sukriya from Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (1962) (Lyricist: S. H. Bihari, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

S. H. Bihari was frequently associated with nayyar to produce many hit songs of 1960s. This evergreen romantic song was pictured on Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna, and the movie also included one more popular duet of same pair, Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe. Shamsul Huda Bihari penned two of its songs – Bahut Shukriya and Mujhe Dekhkar Aapka Muskurana.

11. Aap Yuhi Agar from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) (Lyricist: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

The movie included some of the best duets of Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle, which can be categorized as timeless classics. This particular song featuring the lead pair was written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan.

12. Mein Pyar Ka Rahi from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) (Lyricist: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

What to say more? Asha Bhosle’s voice has rarely been used for Sadhana, and when we already know O. P. Nayyar never used Lata Mangeshkar’s voice to record his songs, needless to say, this beautiful song also went to the credit of Asha Bhosle.

13. Tere Paas Aa Ke Mera Waqt from Neela Aakash (1965) (Lyricist: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, Music Composer: Madan Mohan)

As I told earlier, Madan Mohan has recorded quite a few duets of Rafi and Asha, and the movie Neela Aakash included three of them including Aap Ko Pyaar Chhupaane Ki Buri Aadat Hai and Tere Paas Aa Ke. Except a Lata solo, Na Aasmaan Na Sitare Fareb Dete Hain, all the songs in female voice exclusively belong to Asha Bhosle. All the duets were filmed on Dharmendra and Mala Sinha. Raja Mehdi Ali Khan frequently wrote lyrics for Madan Mohan.

14. Na Rooto Na Meri Jaan from Jawa Mohabbat (1971) (Lyricist: Hasrat Jaipuri, Music Composer: Shankar Jaikishen)

It was one of the last works of SJ with Shammi Kapoor. This particular song filmed on Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh brings back some good old memories of Teesri Manzil and lovely duets of Asha and Rafi composed by R. D. Burman. Jawa Mohabbat movie or its songs could never recreate the same magic. Yet this funny song where Shammi tries to pacify the anger of Asha (similar to ‘O Mere Sona Re’, but in reverse) is definitely worth to listen multiple times. In real life Asha Parekh used to call Shammi Kapoor as ‘Shammi Chacha’ right from her first film, Dil Dekhe Dekho, for which Kapoor played her co-star. Read short bio and interesting facts of Asha Parekh. 

15. Raat Ke Hamsafar from An Evening In Paris (1967) (Lyricist: Shailendra Singh, Music Composer: Shankar Jaikishen)

In this list of 20 best duets of Rafi and Asha, it’s not surprising that only two compositions of Shankar Jaikishen find a place in the list, because we all know SJ mostly used Lata, Sharda or Suman Kalyanpur’s voices to record duets with Rafi during their peak years of 1950s and 1960s. When Asha Bhosle rose to prominence in the early 1970s in association with Kishore Kumar, Jaikishen had already passed away, bringing a virtual end to the era of celebrated music pair. This romantic track featuring Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore was shot in some of the best locations of Paris.  

When Shankar Jaikishen predominantly used Lata Mangeshkar’s voice to record romantic duets with Rafi, they used Asha’s voice to record fast numbers. When the singing legends Lata and Rafi vowed not to work together, and they kept the vows for a few years, SJ used Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpuri and Sharda to record duets with Rafi, while they never replaced Rafi’s voice with other artist so that they can bring Lata on board. Also, when SJ tricked into recording ‘Mein Ka Karoon Ram’ of Sangam in Lata’s voice much to her displeasure, she didn’t sing for the composers for a short interval. In those days, Shankar Jaikishen experimented with other female voices for the industry, both for singles and duets. Dekho Abto Kisiko Nahin Hai Khabar from Janwar, Mein Rootoongi Tumse from Jawa Mohabbat, Muskurati Hui Ik Husn Ki from Daman Aur Aag and Yehi Hai Woh Sanjh Aur Savera from Sanjh Aur Savera are a few popular duets in Rafi and Asha’s voice, recorded by SJ. Whenever the duo recorded a duet for SJ, it has been a hit. We really wish, they could have contributed a few more. 

16. Acha Jee Mein Haari from Kalapani (1958) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: S. D. Burman)

This ‘Rootna-Manaana’ song was lovely filmed on Dev Anand and Madhubala, and widely regarded as a classic duet. All the songs were recorded in the voices of Rafi and Asha, and it includes one more duet, “Dilwaale Ab Teri Gali Taq Aa Pahunche“, which was not so popular.

17. Dekho Kasam Se from Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: O. P. Nayyar)

One of the early associations of O. P. Nayyar and Asha Bhosle, the song was filmed on Shammi Kapoor and Ameeta, and the movie too was a commercial hit. O. P. Nayyar owns the credit of recording maximum popular duets of Rafi and Asha in the 1960s, definitely, and the list is countless. Needless to say, many of their duets composed by Nayyar are featured in this list, and I have excluded many too.

18. Yeh Ladka Hai Allah Kaisa Hai from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: R. D. Burman)

All the songs from the movie were huge chartbusters, and most of them belong to peppy dance tracks with some loud music. This song featured Kaajal Kiran in a crazy mood flying with balloons (really?), and Tariq Khan was also seen in the song. The movie was one of the biggest musical hits of the year, and also included a popular qawwali – Hai Agar Dushman, recorded in the voices of Rafi and Asha.

19. Aaja Panchhi Akela Hai from Nau Do Gyarah (1957) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Music Composer: S. D. Burman)

S. D. Burman equally used the voices of Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi to record the songs filmed on Dev Anand, and in many cases, included both their voices in the same album. In fact, Kishore Kumar rarely sang for other actors except Dev Anand, and in most cases, music was composed by S. D. The movie Nau Do Gyarah also had both the voices. Asha Bhosle sang three duets, one with Kishore and rest two with Rafi – Aaja Panchhi Akela Hai and Kali Ke Roop Mein. The movie starred Dev Anand’s wife Kalpana Kartik as female lead.

20. Abhi Na Jao Chodkar from Hum Dono (1961) (Lyricist: Sahir Ludianvi, Music Composer: Jaidev) 

Let me conclude the list with this lovely ‘parting’/’separation’ song filmed on Sadhana and Dev Anand. It’s more than half a century the song got released. Yet it’s still loved by younger generations. That’s the beauty of this lovely romantic track, definitely one of the career best songs of both these artists.

The list is not ending here…..

I shall add a few more hit duets of Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle. As Bhosle recorded maximum duets with Rafi, it’s not an easy to list all of their best songs. Hope you will definitely add to your playlist of songs. This way, I am listing 50+ of the best duets of Rafi and Asha. I hope I have justified my act to list their best duets. Hope you will enjoy.

1. Ek Pardesi Mera Dil from Phagun

2. Maang Ke Saat Tumhara from Naya Daur

3. Hamdam Mere from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon

4. Hai Re Hai from Kashmir Ki Kali

5. Parda Hata De from Ek Phool Do Mali

6. Sawan Aaye Ya Na Aaye from Dil Diya Dard Liya

7. Phir Miloge Kabhi from Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi 

8. Tere Haathon Mein Pehna Ke Chudiyan from Jaani Dushman

9. Muskurati Hui Ek Husn Ki Tasveer from Daman Aur Aag 

10. Aap Ko Pyaar Chhupaane Ki Buri Aadat Hai from Neela Aakash

11. Hum Intezaar Karenge from Bahu Begam

12. Pal Do Pal Ka from The Burning Train

13. Roka Kayi Baar Maine Dil Ki Umang Ko from Mere Sanam

14. Kabhi Tere Daman from Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare

15. Kya Dekhte Ho Surat Tumhari from Qurbani

16. Yeh Khamoshiyan Yeh Tanhaiyan from Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke

17. Dhal Gaya Din Ho Gayi Sham from Hamjoli

18. Sare Shaher Mein Aap Sa Koi Nahin from Bairaag

19. Dil Use Do Jo Jaan De De from Andaz

20. Goriya Kahan Tera Des Re from Caravan

21. Sar Par Topi Lal from Tumsa Nahin Dekha

22. Chhoti Si Mulaqat Pyar Ban Gai from Chhoti Si Mulaqat

23. Bade Hai Dil Ke Kaale from Dil Deke Dekho

24. Yaar Chulbula Hain from Dil Deke Dekho

25. Hai Agar Dushman from Hum Kisise Kum Nahin

26. Na Yeh Zameen Thi Na Aasman from Sagaai

27. Chand Sa Mukhda Kyonfrom Insaan Jaag Utha

28. In Baharon Mein from Mamta

29.Tu Mera Main Teri from Pyar Hi Pyar

30. Mujhe Pyar Ki Zindagi Denewale from Pyaar Ka Saagar

31. Raaz Ki Baat Kehdoo To from Dharma

32. Kaise Samjhaoon Badi from Suraj

33. Leke Pehla Pehla from CID

34. Pyar To Ek Din Hona Tha from Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati

35. Tumhen Pa Ke Humne Jahan from Gehra Daag

36. Maan Jayiye Maan Jayiye from Himmat

37. Sajna Saat Nibhana from Doli

38. Muqabla Hum Se Na Karo from Prince (along with Lata Mangeshkar)

Also go through the gallery to read a few more articles about Rafi.  The gallery lists Rafi’s finest works with other artists in the golden era. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.