Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan – Top 10 Bollywood Duets

Association of Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan began in the late 1990s, soon after Sunidhi won a reality show – Mere Awaaz Suno on Doordarshan at a young age and started her Bollywood journey. Sonu too was not a celebrated singer then, but with a few hit songs to his credit. He helped young Sunidhi to get her first break in Bollywood, and they together recorded many memorable duets since late 1990s. Sunidhi describes Sonu Nigam as a catalyst to her career. Let us see their career best duets together. Here I list 10 of the best.

1. Mere Haath Main from Fanaa (2006) – Lyricist: Prasoon Joshi, Music Composer: Jatin Lalit

I shall start the list with the most popular romantic duet of Sonu and Sunidhi. The song was filmed on Kajol and Aamir Khan, on the occasion of their marriage after their separation and meeting again. The song is one of my personal favourites too.

2. Dekho Na from Fanaa (2006) – Lyricist: Prasoon Joshi, Music Composer: Jatin Lalit

This sensuous song was filmed in rain and featured Kajol and Aamir Khan. Soon after the smash hit of the album, the composer brothers announced their separation and the reason is still unknown. Both embarked on a separate journey and composed many singles for different films. Yet they couldn’t replicate the success of their partnership. Thus Fanaa remains the last musical hit of their association.

3. Ruki Ruki from Mast (1999) – Lyricist: Nitin Raikwar, Music Composer: Sandeep Chowta

Mast marked the debut of Aftab Shivdasani as a lead actor with Urmila Matondkar playing his female lead. It was also the first association of Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan, which marked the debut of music composer Sandeep Chowta too. The song was filmed on a railway track alongside a train, where the lead actors are on a journey. The beginning tune was later copied by Himesh Reshammiya for his hit song, Saawariya released next year, featuring Salman Khan and Rani Mukerji.

Almost all songs were smash hits, and its success established the career of Sunidhi Chauhan in Bollywood. The following year the composer repeated the hit singing pair for his movie, Jungle and this album too was also well appreciated. Both the movies starred Urmila Matondkar in lead role and Sunidhi’s voice well suited her. However the composer didn’t repeat the singing duo for his third project starring Urmila – Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, though he sustained Sonu Nigam. Fardeen Khan played male lead in this movie too opposite Urmila, following the success of Jungle.

4. Suna Tha from Mast (1999) – Lyricist: Nitin Raikwar, Music Composer: Sandeep Chowta

Antara Mali who frequently collaborated with Ram Gopal Varma for many movies played Aftab Shivdasani’s childhood friend in this movie. In this fun song she enjoys the companionship of Aftab and Urmila. Love of both the ladies towards the lead hero is well expressed in this song sequence.  Sheetal Suvarna, who plays Aftab’s sister, also features in this song, alongside Smita Jaykar who plays mother’s role. The movie included Sonu Nigam’s soulful solo – Aasman Kehta Hai Rab Se and Sunidhi Chauhan’s solo – Tere Siva Kuch Yaad Nahin.

5. Do Pyar Karne Wale from Jungle (2000) – Lyricist: Sameer, Music Composer: Sandeep Chowta

The song was a huge hit when got released. Year 2000 established Sonu Nigam as the leading voice of Bollywood, and Do Pyar Karne Wale was one of his super hit songs of the year. The song was filmed on Fardeen Khan and Urmila, when they lost their way in a jungle.

6. Pehli Baar from Jungle (2000) – Lyricist: Sameer, Music Composer: Sandeep Chowta

The song featuring Fardeen Khan and Urmila shows sequences soon after a couple falls in love. The composer used the voice of Sonu Nigam to record the male voice of his first three Bollywood films in a row – Mast, Jungle and Pyar Tune Kya. A strange co-incidence, Urmila played the female lead in his first three films. Sunidhi Chauhan was the ghost voice of Urmila for first two films, while her voice got replaced with Alka Yagnik and Asha Bhosle for the third movie. All these songs composed by Sandeep Chowta played an important role in establishing the career of both these singers. However after a magical start in Bollywood, Sandeep couldn’t achieve much deserved success of his career.

7. Soniye Ve from Kismat Konnection (2008) – Lyricist: Shabbir Ahmed, Music Composer: Pritam Chakraborty

Sunidhi Chauhan’s voice is mostly associated with fast and dance numbers, while Sonu Nigam tries with every genre of music. For the same reasons the composers frequently use their voices to record many fast tracks and dance sequences. This dance song featured Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan. Though the movie based on the theme ‘luck’ was not lucky enough to win at box office, its songs were well noticed.

8. Gustakh Dil Tere Liye from Dil Maange More (2004) – Lyricist: Sameer, Music Composer: Himesh Reshammiya

Shahid Kapoor has been a part of Shiamak Davar’s dance troupe and he started his film journey in the late 1990s as a background dancer. In this particular dance song, Kapoor exhibits his talent as a professional dancer, and the song was a smash hit too. Soha Ali Khan also dances aside him.

9. Khoya Khoya Tha from Shabd (2005) – Lyricist: Irshad Kamil, Music Composer: Vishal-Shekhar

The song was filmed on Aishwarya Rai and Zayed Khan. Though the movie was a flop, the songs for its unique tunes got noticed. Sanjay Dutt completed the love triangle.

10. Main Badhiya Tu Bhi Badhiya from Sanju (2018) – Lyricist: Puneet Sharma, Music Composer: Rohan Rohan

The recent song added to this list is Main Badhiya – smash hit song from Sanju featuring Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor. It was after a long time, a duet of Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi got noticed, and I hope we can hear them soon. The song is unique for one special reason. In this song, Ranbir Kapoor who plays actor Sanjay Dutt on screen takes the challenge to lip-sync to any song and hence he lip-syncs to a female voice. Similarly, Sonam Kapoor who plays Tina Munim in the movie lip-syncs to a male voice in this song. The song also came to spotlight for the unique rendering of Sunidhi Chauhan in the early talkies’ style, and it’s not possible to identify her voice, I bet you.

Let me add one more song as an exception

Tauba Tauba from Kaal (2004) is not a duet, but sung by 4 singers. While Sonu Nigam rendered his voice for John Abraham, Kunal Ganjawala sang for Vivek Oberoi, Sunidhi for Lara Dutt and Richa Sharma for Isha Deol. It’s a rocking dance song featuring the lead actors. Shabbir Ahmed penned the lyrics and Salim Sulaiman composed the song. Though the movie was a huge flop, all the songs became popular. The movie included an average track – Nassa Nassa sung by Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan.

A list of a few more duets of Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal

1. Aiyo Aiyo Rama from Jungle (Co-singers: Sowmya Raoh and Makrand Deshpande)

2. Bandh Mere Pairo Mein from Koi Aap Sa

3. Bardaasht Nahin Kar Sakta– Remix from Humraaz

4. Deewana Dil Hain Mera from Kitna Door Kitne Paas

5. Dekhne Ko Tujhko from Maa Tujhhe Salaam

6. Dosti Ho Gayi Re from Aaghaaz

7. Jaaneman Tu Khoob Hai from Jaani Dushman : Ek Anokhi Kahani 

8. Jeene Ke Hain Char Din from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

9. Khamoshi Aashiqon Ki Hai Zubaan from Agnipankh

10. Khullam Khulla Pyar Kare from Road

11. Ladki Gori Ya Kaali from Pyaar Mein Twist

12. Main Mast Kudi Tu Bhi Mast from Jodi No: 1

13. Meri Zindagi Mein Aaye Ho from Armaan

14. Mujhko Neend Aa Rahi from Ajnabee

15. Nassa Nassa from Kaal

16. Title track from Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya

17. Title track of Hum To Mohabbat Karega

18. Title track of Maine Dil Tuhjko Diya

19. Tumko Kitna Hai Pyar from Khel

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.