Top 15 Bollywood songs of Sonu Nigam composed by Anu Malik

Anu Malik is one among those early composers who gave some of the early hits to Sonu Nigam. After Anu Malik’s composition Sandese Aate Hain got released in 1997, Sonu Nigam established his career in Bollywood, who was struggling in the music industry for the past few years. His duet with Alka Yagnik, Hamein Tumse Mohabbat from the same movie also got released. After a few more noted songs in the next two years, Anu Malik gave Sonu Nigam the biggest break through Refugee, where he recorded all songs filmed on Abhishek Bachchan in Sonu Nigam’s voice. In fact all those songs were duets with Alka Yagnik, and very soon the duo became the top romantic singing couple of Bollywood. Needless to say, Anu Malik played a magnificent role in it. Have a look at my list of top Sonu Nigam – Alka Yagnik duets.

Since late-1990s, throughout 2000s, Anu Malik recorded some of the finest songs of Sonu Nigam’s career. Sonu Nigam was one among the singers to record the lengthiest Bollywood song – Title track of Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo (2004), composed by Anu Malik. He also sang a duet version of the song aside Udit Narayan. Through this column, I have listed 15 of my most favourite songs of Anu Malik – Sonu Nigam combination, and have also listed a few more songs for your playlist. Please scroll down. I have sorted the songs based on year of release.

1. Sandese Aate Hain from Border (1997) – Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

This particular patriotic song gave a major break to Sonu Nigam’s singing career, and there was no turning back after that. It was a duet with Roop Kumar Rathod, which received numerous musical awards. The singers received Zee Cine Award Best Playback Singer, and it was Sonu Nigam’s first award trophy at any film awards. It was an ode to India’s real heroes, our soldiers, and almost all lead actors including Sunny Deol, Sunil Shetty and Akshaye Khanna were featured in this song.

2. Mere Rang Balle Balle from Soldier (1998) – Lyricist: Sameer

The song was well-received for its dance sequences as well as fast beats. Jaspinder Narula and Sonu Nigam gave full justification to this Punjabi song, and the song was filmed on Preity Zinta and Bobby Deol as a competition song. In year 2000, Anu Malik tuned almost a similar song for Bobby Deol for the movie, Badal – Tujhe Dekhe Dil Mera Dole, and was filmed almost in the same way.

3. Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aye from Soldier (1998) – Lyricist: Sameer

The song had two renditions – one in Alka’s voice and the second one in Sonu Nigam’s voice, with lyrics a bit different. However the female version became more popular.

4. What Is Mobile Number from Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) – Lyricist: Sameer

This peppy number was filmed on Govinda and Karishma Kapoor, who was a hit pair in the 1990s. It was a time when mobile phones belonged to rich man’s pocket only. However the song with catchy lyrics became an instant chartbuster. Sonu Nigam sang this duet aside Alka Yagnik.

5. Mere Humsafar from Refugee (2000) – Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

All the songs, mostly recorded in Sonu Nigam & Alka Yagnik’s voice were extremely popular. The song featured debutants – Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor in a romantic mood. The song’s mukda was loosely inspired from Main Tumhari Ragini Tum Geet Ho from Roop Sundari composed by his father Sardar Malik.

6. Aisa Lagta Hai from Refugee (2000) –  Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Refugee gave single National film award to Anu Malik in his entire career. All the songs were extra-ordinary, and not even a single weak track to point out. I excluded ‘Panchi Nadiya’ from this list, when I made a choice of songs. But it’s a finest tune, with both Alka and Sonu Nigam receiving Filmfare nominations.

7. Taal Pe Jab from Refugee (2000) – Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

The melody with dance sequences of the lead pair is also an extra-ordinary track of the album. Anu Malik received special mention for its compositions at Filmfare awards.

8. Tu Hawa Hai from Fiza (2000) – Lyricist: Gulzar

This soft romantic track sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik 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. It was year 2000 which began the 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.

9. Aate Jaate Jo Milta Hai from Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000) – Lyricist: Sameer

This Alka Yagnik – Sonu Nigam duet is indeed very lovely. The song was filmed on Preity Zinta and Salman Khan as a travel song, and definitely the best track of the album.  

10. Milne Se Darta Hai Dil from Badal (2000) – Lyricist: Sameer

This romantic duet sung by Kavita Krishnamurty and Sonu Nigam was filmed on Rani Mukerji and Bobby Deol. Rani Mukerji did so many movies in year 2000, and it was her second release opposite Bobby Deol after Bicchoo the same year.

11. Rabba Mere Rabba from Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai (2001) – Lyricist: Sameer

One of my top favourite Sonu Nigam tracks ever, it depicts how a youngster is hesitated in expressing his love, and how his heart beats with every expression of hers. The song was filmed on Kareena Kapoor and Tushar Kapoor, and the movie gave first hit to the careers of both. It was Tushar’s first movie. Just I happened to hear a Tamil song, Thaneerai Kaadhalikum from Romeo (Tamil) composed by Rahman in 1996. I got one intro tune from that song copied as such for Rabba Mere Rabba song. In Rabba Rabba this particular tune with similar music arrangement appears just before the start of first Antara, while in original Tamil version it appears just before second Antara. Just check youtube videos to know it. 

12. Chori Chori from Om Jai Jagadish (2002) – Lyricist: Sameer

The romantic song was filmed on Abhishek Bachchan and Tara Sharma in a desert, and it was not an easy task. It seems Bachchan wore a pair of sunglasses to protect his eyes from sandstorm, just kidding. He definitely looks handsome. Kunal Ganjawala provided back vocals for the duet sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik.

13. Mein Hoon Na from Mein Hoon Na (2004) – Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

Anu Malik earned his second Filmfare award for best music for the songs of Mein Hoon Na, and its title track sung by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal is a finest tune indeed. The song featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Amrita Rao and Zayed Khan was filmed on a college campus.

14. Tumse Milke from Mein Hoon Na (2004) – Lyricist: Javed Akhtar

A standing ovation for Sonu Nigam for one of the rarest qawwali’s of his career, though not a pure one. Nowadays this genre of song has already disappeared from scene. This dance number featured Shah Rukh Khan, Sushmita Sen, Amrita Rao and Zayed Khan, with a group of singers and dancers. Farah Khan choreographed the song so lovely, no doubt.

15. Sau Dard from Jaan-E-Mann (2006)  – Lyricist: Gulzar

This sad song was filmed on Salman Khan, and definitely the top track of the album. The song also featured Akshay Kumar and Preity Zinta with a baby. Suzanne D Mello provided the back vocals.

A few more Sonu Nigam – Anu Malik combination songs for your playlist….

1. Tujhe Pyar Karte Karte from Naajayaz (1994)

2. Humein Jab Se Mohabbat from Border (1997)

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

4. Panchi Nadiya Pawan Ke from Refugee (2000)

5. Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai from Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000)

6. Chamakti Shaam Hai from Yadein (2001)

7. Kasam Se Teri Aankhen Aaiya Re Aaiya from Ajnabee (2001)

8. Mujhko Neend Aa Rahi Hai from Ajnabee (2001)

9. Mujhe Pyar Do from Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyo (2004)

10. Aaja Soniya from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)

11. Behka Diya Hamein from Umrao Jaan (2006)

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

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

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

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

16. Jeene Ke Hain Chaar Din from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)

17. Title track from Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)

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