Top 25 Chartbuster hits of R. D. Burman and Asha Bhosle

R. D. Burman – Asha Bhosle is one among the finest composer-singer pairs of Bollywood, and their contribution to Bollywood music is immensely huge. Asha Bhosle delivered some of her finest duets in association with Burman, and her chartbuster duets excelled in number than her solos composed by Burman. I have earlier added her popular solos and duets composed by Burman exclusively, and click those links to get those corresponding lists. This list is a filter of songs belonging to those two lists, and I have sorted them in alphabetic order. I hope you will like my selection of 25 songs of R. D. Burman & Asha Bhosle combo.

1. Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera from Teesri Manzil – It’s definitely the best song to begin this list with. The movie featured two of the rock numbers – Aaja Aaja and O Haseena with heavy western music instruments and dance steps choreographed by Herman Benjamin, and both became extremely popular dance numbers of the era of 1960s. Asha Parekh and Shammi Kapoor were seen doing unique western dance steps, and the duet was sung by Asha Bhosle and Rafi.

2. Bechara Dil Kya Kare from Khushboo – Post success of Aradhana, almost all artists associated with the film became successful. But Farida Jalal who played a significant role in the film was an exception. She was type casted to secondary roles only, and so are the songs. After Bahon Ka Bahar from Aradhana, it’s one of the lovely songs ever filmed on Farida Jalal ever. This track penned by Gulzar, and this song featured Hema Malini too.

3. Chotti Se Kahani from Ijaazat  – Ijaazat was one of the finest works of R. D. Burman. Yet Gulzar and Asha Bhosle were benefited most. This song featuring Rekha is indeed beautiful.

4. Chura Liya Hai from Yaadon Ki Baaraat – Definitely this romantic duet is included in the playlist of almost all ardent fans of old Hindi songs. 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. Majrooh Sultanpuri, who was associated with earlier works of Pancham – Nasir Hussain together, penned its lyrics too.

5. Do Lafzon Ki Hai Dil Ki Kahaani from The Great Gambler – This song fall in lines with Chura Liya Hai, and was equally appreciated. One of the finest songs ever sung by Asha Bhosle in Burman’s composition, voices of Amitabh Bachchan and Sharad Kumar were also used for this song. Sharad Kumar is the same person who played the role of Zeenat Aman’s brother in Don. The song featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman was filmed on a Gondola in Venice’s Grand Canal. The song was penned by Anand Bakshi and it includes a few Italian wordings as well.

6. Dum Maro Dum from Hare Rama Hare Krishna – This chartbuster song composed by R. D. Burman established Asha Bhosle as one of the leading female voices of 1970s, and there was no turning back after that. This particular song featuring Zeenat Aman and Dev Anand cemented her position in Bollywood music industry, and also gave away Filmfare award in best singing category. The song penned by Anand Bakshi was quite controversial for using ‘Hare Krishna Hare Ram’ Mantra for a ‘hippy’ song, yet it was well received by music fans. The movie included some of the memorable songs of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar too.

7. Hamen Raston Ki Jaroorat from Naram Garam – This song is indeed wonderful. Its Mukda’s tune was later used by the composer for the title track of Sagar – Sagar Kinare. Needless to say, the song became more popular than its predecessor. Amol Palekar and Swaroop Sampat were featured in this sweet song. Gulzar penned lyrics. You might be interested to know, actually it was not a parent tune created by R. D. A tune created by S. D. Burman in the early 1950s influenced a lot of music directors, who revived its Mukda to create many new wonderful tunes and all those songs got noticed. Do you know which tune it is? Click to know.

8. Jaane Do Naa from Sagar – I have mentioned above Saagar just above. Now let me add one song from the movie as well. This extremely seductive number featured Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. It’s one of the earliest successful associations of R. D. Burman with Javed Akhtar, with whom he did his final and masterpiece work – 1942: A Love Story. Shailendra Singh sang this duet aside Asha. In the iconic film, The Dirty Picture, Vidya Balan paid tribute to the duo for this particular song through a song sequence. Sagar included some of the memorable tracks of Kishore Kumar and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam also.

9. Jaane Jaa Doondta from Jawani Diwani – All the songs of the album were smash hits, and became extremely popular among youth. Its songs have been remixed several times as well. The song featured Randhir Kapoor and Jaya Bhaduri, and the actress broke her stereotypic roles of next-door girl through this film. Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics. The solo tracks of Kishore – Samne Yeh Kaun Aaya and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani too received warm welcome from youth and were instant chartbusters.

10. Katra Katra from Ijaazat – This Asha Bhosle track featuring Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah is my most favourite song of the album, and one of my top Asha songs always. Click this link to read my favourite 15 songs of Asha Bhosle. The song was recorded in a unique way and was well appreciated too. Gulzar wrote its beautiful lyrics.

11. Kehdo Tumhe from Deewaar – This popular duet featuring Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh was sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, and lyrics penned by Sahir Ludhianvi. The song has been successfully remixed several times including the most recent version for the movie, Badshaho. The pair looks cute in the song throughout, and Asha Bhosle’s magical voice played its part.

12. Logo Na Maro from Anamika – It’s indeed a wonderful solo track sung by Asha and featured Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri, the song was filmed in lovely location of some hill station. The movie is indeed popular for some of the solos sung by Lata and Kishore. The movie didn’t have any duet song.

13. Mere Kuch Saman from Ijaazat – The song gave its playback singer and lyricist National award. But Burman couldn’t win any. Yet Burman was praised by music critics for tuning the lyrics which didn’t have any rhythm or pattern. Gulzar received Filmfare award too. Anuradha Patel sync lipped to this melodious song and Naseeruddin Shah was also seen in this song.

14. Nahi Nahi Abhi Nahi from Jawani Diwani – The sizzling featured Jaya Bhaduri and Randhir Kapoor, and is entirely different from normal roles Jaya played onscreen. Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics for R. D. Burman’s tune. Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle sang this popular duet.

15. O Haseena Zulfonwali Jaane Jahan from Teesri Manzil  – This song boosted the career of Helen a lot, and special thanks to R. D. Burman to give O Haseena and similar songs to Helen and Asha Bhosle. The legendary Herman Benjamin choreographed the dance steps filmed on Shammi Kapoor and Helen. Rafi sang this duet with Asha Bhosle. The movie included 6 tracks – 2 solos sung by Rafi and rest four duets recorded in Asha Bhosle and Rafi’s voice. R. D created its high octave songs with a blend of rock, jazz, Latino and a twist of his own unique traits.

16. O Mere Sona Re from Teesri Manzil – It’s the first successful association of R. D. Burman with Asha Bhosle, and his first association with Shammi Kapoor too. The album is regarded as one of the finest works of Pancham da ever, and three duets of Asha with Rafi lifted her career as well. Also read: Top songs of Asha-Nayyar combination. This teasing number featured Shammi and Asha in a fan mood. Lyrics for all the six tracks of the music album were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

17. O Meri Soni Meri Tamanna from Yaadon Ki Baaraat – The movie had two duets in Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar’s voice and O Meri Soni Meri Tamanna is definitely the best. The song featuring Zeenat Aman and Vijay Arora has been remixed and revived several times since late 1990s. Vijay Arora has worked in several movies of 1970s. Yet he is best remembered for Yaadon Ki Baaraat, and needless to say, songs composed by R. D. Burman played a magnificent role. In fact, all the top romantic tracks of the movie were filmed on Arora particularly the romantic ones, and in the story of three brothers, only Arora’s one had a romantic angle.

18. Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Humara from Burning Train – This much-anticipated film with an ensemble star cast and huge budget burned producers’ pocket. But it was not a bad movie either, and included some nice songs composed by Pancham. This song can be categorized under qawwali, and was penned by Sahir Ludhianvi. Mohammed Rafi & Asha Bhosle rendered their voices for the song filmed on Jeetendra & Neetu Singh.

19. Phir Se Aaiyo Badra Bidesi from Namkeen – It’s one of the wonderful ghazhals/poems sung by Asha Bhosle ever. Gulzar wrote some beautiful songs for R. D. Burman and this one deserves special mention. The song featured Shabana Azmi.

20. Pyaar Karne Waale from Shaan – This big-budget film couldn’t cover the expenses, though it ran at theatres. The movie included several peppy numbers. But this title track sung by Asha Bhosle is entirely different from all. Its lovable lyrics were penned by Anand Bakshi.

21. Roz Roz Aankhon Tale from Jeeva – The song featuring Sanjay Dutt and Mandakini was one of the top romantic hits of the era, and was sung by Amit Kumar and Asha Bhosle. Gulzar penned the lyrics. R. D. Burman gave some of his finest duets to Amit Kumar too. The song owns a ghazal flavour and will last forever! What a magical voice of Asha Bhosle, we fall in love for this song again and again!

22. Sapna Mera Toot Gaya from Khel Khel Mein – Songs composed by R. D. Burman became huge chartbusters and this sad duet sung by Asha and R. D. Burman was penned by Gulshan Bawra. The song was pictured on Rakesh Roshan and Aruna Irani, and sung by Asha Bhosle and R. D. Burman. The movie also included three popular duets of Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle – Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu, Aye Lo Pyaar Ke Din and Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge Hum Dono.

23. Tu Tu Hai Wohi from Yeh Vaada Raha – A celebrated duet composed by R. D. Burman, Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar rendered their voices for Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim and Poonam Dhillon for several versions of the song. The song is still popular among the youth. One of the top works of R. D. Burman before his declining era started, he exclusively used the voices of Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar to record all the songs of the movie.

24. Tum Se Milke from Parinda – R. D. Burman had a weak phase towards the end of his professional career as well as personal life. In the era of disco and fast beats, R. D stood odd among all and never compromised with melodies. That may be reason why some of his soft songs of 1980s are still recognized by music fans than the fast peppy numbers composed by others, and this heart touching song sung by Asha and Suresh Wadkar is the testimony to prove it. Khurshid Hallauri penned the lyrics and the song featured Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit.

25. Yeh Ladka Hai Allah Kaisa Hai from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen – Though Kajal Kiran achieved success through her debut film, she couldn’t sustain in Bollywood for long. Same is the case of her hero Tariq Khan too, who played a couple of memorable roles through Nassir Hussain films. Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle sang this very popular duet, and lyrics penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. It’s a fun song to enjoy for any season and change your gloomy mood too.

You can read a few more topics on the iconic singer Asha Bhosle, who deeply influenced many generations later. Here is the page link. Click on the images to read.