Top 25 Romantic duets sung by Asha Bhosle in R. D. Burman tunes

In my previous post, I have listed down 20 of the best Asha Bhosle solos composed by R. D. Burman. Click this link to read. I have also stated there, R. D has given less number of solos to Asha Bhosle, and most of his memorable solo tunes were sung by either sung by Kishore Kumar or his sister-in-law Lata Mangeshkar. But when we come to the list of duets, things change totally. In fact, except a few solos from Hare Krishna Hare Rama, Ijaazat, Anamika, Naram Garam etc, Asha Bhosle’s top hits in association with R. D. Burman are surprisingly duets. Hard to believe, right? Scroll down to read top 25 duets of Asha Bhosle and R. D. Burman and please share your opinion as well. And here goes my list of songs.

1. 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 penned its lyrics too.

2. 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.

3. Jaane Jaa Doondta from Jawani Diwani – All the songs of the album were smash hits, and became extremely popular among youth. The song featured Randhir Kapoor and Jaya Bhaduri, and the actress was seen in an extra-glamorous avatar in the film throughout. Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics. The movie featured three duets of Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar and all the songs have found space in my list. The solo tracks of Kishore – Samne Yeh Kaun Aaya and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani too received warm welcome from youth and were instant chartbusters. Also read: Top 10 duets of Kishore & Asha.

4. Agar Saaz Cheda To from Jawani Diwani – Another popular duet of Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, this song too deserves special mention.

5. Nahi Nahi Abhi Nahi from Jawani Diwani – The sizzling featured Jaya Bhaduri and Randhir Kapoor, and is one of the finest duets sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle in the 1970s. Anand Bakshi penned the lyrics for R. D. Burman’s tune. Also read: My choice for 15 best Asha Bhosle songs. The song’s remixed version with original voices by D J Aqeel was an instant chartbuster. The remixed version had the original voices of the lead singers, and featured Ayesha Takia and Keith Sequeira. Also read: 70+ Indi Pop songs featuring Bollywood stars.

6. O Mere Sona Re from Teesri Manzil – It’s the first successful association of Asha Bhosle & R. D. Burman, a time when Asha was mostly associated with O. P. Nayyar tunes. Also read: Top songs of Asha-Nayyar combination. Who forecasted then, the duo is to conquer Hindi cinema the next decade and will become life partners! The song featuring Shammi and Asha was lovely pictured also, and still remembered by their fans. After the death of R. D. Burman, Asha Bhosle recorded its remixed version for the album – Huzoor – E – Ala, the song revived by Lesle Lewis. Lyrics for all the six tracks of the music album were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

7. 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.

8. Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera from Teesri Manzil – The movie featured two of the rock numbers 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.

9. Title Track 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. 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. Also read: Top 50 duets sung by Kishore Kumar.

10. 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. It’s one of the rare movies were Aruna Irani played a meaty role and seen in a non-comic role. The song was pictured on Rakesh Roshan and Aruna Irani, and one of the rarest duets sung by real life couple, 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.

11. Ek Mein Aur Ek Tu from Khel Khel Mein – This duet sung by Asha and Kishore starring the real life couple – Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh was a rage across the nation when got released. Its dance steps also got noticed.

12. 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 our own Pancham da. Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Humara sung by Mohammed Rafi & Asha Bhosle is my personal favourite. This Qawwali was penned by Sahir Ludhianvi and filmed on Jeetendra & Neetu Singh.

13. Bachke Rehna Re Baba from Pukar – Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle and Rahul Dev Burman did playback singing and Gulshan Bawra penned the lyrics. The film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Randhir Kapoor and Tina Munim was only average at box office. However the songs composed by R. D. Burman were super-duper hit.

14. Tum Se Milke from Parinda – One of the finest tracks towards the end of his career, Asha Bhosle sang it beautifully too.  There were only 4 tracks in this album, and all the four included Suresh Wadkar’s voice too, including this one. Khurshid Hallauri penned the lyrics of all the four songs of the album. Tum Se Milke – is a popular duet from the album featuring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, and Asha Bhosle and Suresh Wadkar rendered their voices. Pyar Ke Mod Pe is yet another popular duet of the duo.

15. Poocho Na Yaar Kya Hua from Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai – The duet sung by Asha Bhosle and Rafi was filmed on Padmini Kolhapuri and Rishi Kapoor. Majrooh Sultanpuri penned its lyrics.

16. Yeh Ladka Hai Allah Kaisa Hai from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen – A lot of colourful balloons and the heroine Kaajal Kiran in a crazy mood hanging to the balloons – That’s what everyone recollect whenever the song is listened to. Tariq Khan was also seen in the song. Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhosle sang this very popular duet, and lyrics penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

17. Title track from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen – One of the finest Qawwalis ever filmed in Bollywood, it was beautifully pictured on Rishi Kapoor and Zeenat Aman. It’s a jugalbandi between Rafi and Asha on stage, and lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

18. Mil Gaya Hum Ko Saathi from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen – Actually it’s included in a medley of songs sung by Asha Bhosle, R. D. Burman and Kishore Kumar. The song featured its lead stars – Rishi Kapoor, Tariq Khan and Kaajal Kiran, and it’s a jugalbundi for a singing competition. Chand Mera Dil sung by Rafi and Tum Kya Jano sung by Burman too were included in this medley.   

19. 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.

20. Pyar Mein Dil Pe from Mahaan – This R. D. Burman track featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman was a huge chartbuster. It was one of the rarest films where Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi worked together aside Amitabh Bachchan, the actresses known for their uncanny resemblance. Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar sang this duet penned by Anjaan.

21. Jaane Jaa from Sanam Teri Kasam – The movie earned the first Filmfare award for R. D. Burman, and its fast tracks were extremely popular too. The song featuring Kamal Hassan and Reena Roy was sung by Asha Bhosle and R. D. Burman himself. Lyrics of this disco song was penned by Gulshan Bawra.

22. 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.

23. Tu Rootha To Main Ro Dungi Sanam from Jawani – This chartbuster song featuring Neelam and Karan Shah was penned by Gulshan Bawra and sung by Asha Bhosle and Amit Kumar.

24. Jaane Do Naa from Sagar – 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.

25. Pehle Pehle Pyaar Ki Mulaqaatein from The Great Gambler – I shall conclude my list with this extremely popular duet of Kishore Kumar and Asha, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Neetu Singh. The film is known for some extravagant locations of Italy and many other foreign countries, and this particular song was shot in Eduardo VII Park, Lisbon. Anand Bakshi penned its lyrics.

Please go through the gallery below, and click on the links to read a few interesting topics of this iconic composer. Here is the page link. You can also read a few posts below.