Top 20 Bollywood Solos sung by Mohammed Rafi in O. P. Nayyar composition

Mohammed Rafi was anonymously the most popular male voice of Bollywood in the 1950s and 1960s, and he remained the top choice of almost every music director during both these decades. He was the ghost voice of many popular actors such as Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, Joy Mukherjee, Biswajeet and many more. Rafi remained the first choice of O. P. Nayyar and after Asha, he recorded maximum songs in Rafi’s voice. When it comes to lead actors, Nayyar composed songs for most of the hits of Joy Mukherjee’s career such as Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Humsaaya, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena, Sawan Ki Khata, and remained successful. In fact Joy Mukherjee is best known for his romantic screen image and popular songs. Nayyar also composed most popular songs of Biswajeet’s  career such as Kismat, Mere Sanam etc.

Through this column, let me list top 20 solo hits sung by Mohammed Rafi for O. P. Nayyar. Towards the end, I have also listed Rafi’s popular duets composed by O. P. Nayyar. As Nayyar gave preference to promote Asha Bhosle’s career in the 1960s, it was not an easy task to recollect the best of Rafi solos recorded by the composer. You can read my list of Top 50 O. P. Nayyar compositions here.

Top Solo Tracks of O. P. Nayyar – Mohd Rafi combination

1. Pukarta Chala Hoon Main from Mere Sanam (1965) – Let me begin with one of my most favourite Rafi songs always – Pukarta Chala Hoon Main. It’s a teasing song with a jeep ride featuring Biswajeet and Asha Parekh. I don’t know what the hidden beauty behind this Rafi song is; I want to hear it over again every time I listen to it. The lyrics were penned by lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri. It’s the opening song of the movie. In the 1960s, it was a trend – the opening song was filmed in some moving vehicle, say a car, jeep or train, and in most cases, hero sings a solo number. If it’s not possible, such a song is fitted somewhere in the film. How many evergreen classics have been born this way! Countless.

2. Hue Hain Tumpe Aashiq Hum from Mere Sanam (1965) – Biswajeet and Asha Parekh made a lovely pair in the 1960s. Needless to say, all the compositions are classy, and brings back many nostalgic moments which I experienced in my childhood days of 1980s and first half of 1990s, when Chitrahaar and Rangoli were the only two options to enjoy film songs those days. This Rafi solo was penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri and featured its lead pair.

3. Humdum Mere Maan Bhi Jaao from Mere Sanam (1965) – Nothing more to say, this teasing song starred its lead pair and still looks nice to watch on television. It’s a fun filled peppy number. All the songs of the film belong to Majrooh Sultanpuri.

4. Tukde Hain Mere Dil Ke from Mere Sanam (1965) – The movie included 4 Rafi tracks, and the songs are so beautiful that I couldn’t exclude any song from this list. But the movie is best remembered for a couple of solos sung by Asha Bhosle – Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfein and Jaayiye Aap Kahan. While the rest songs were fun-filled number, Tukde Hain Mere Dil Ke is a soft sad number featuring the lead pair.

5. Aap Ke Haseen Rukh from Baharein Phir Bhi Aayegi (1966) – Here is yet another timeless classic sung by Rafi very close to my heart. Definitely one of his most loved songs, Dharmendra sync-lipped to this solo, and Mala Sinha and Tanuja were also featured in this song. Also read: Top Tanuja Songs. The beautifully written Urdu lines and the close camera shots, though in B&W played a significant role in making this song such a huge chartbuster. The song was penned by Anjaan, one of his best poems as well. After the recording of this song, there was a disagreement between Rafi and the composer, and Nayyar recorded the rest of its songs with Mahendra Kapoor, and gave the later more opportunities also.

6. Yu To Humne Lakh Haseen from Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) – One of the accomplished work of Nayyar in the 1950s, music played a major role to make this film a super hit. Shammi Kapoor and Ameeta played major roles, and they appeared in this song as well. Sahir Ludhianvi penned its lyrics and this Rafi’s solo is still popular. Though the movie was a major hit, it couldn’t propel the career of its lead actress, Ameeta.

7. Jawaniyan Yeh Mast Mast Bin Piye from Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) – Yet another Rafi solo featuring Shammi Kapoor, its lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

8. Chhupanewale Saamane Aa from Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) – This Rafi solo featured Ameeta aside Shammi Kapoor and a group of singers. Majrooh Sultanpuri penned its popular lyrics. Though songs of the movie became instant hits, after the huge success of Junglee, Shammi Kapoor turned a huge star, and preferred to work with SJ most. Yet the combination created great wonders through Kashmir Ki Kali, once again for the last time.

9. Ai Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahaan from C. I. D (1956) – O. P. Nayyar gave two of the best songs to Johny Walker in his filmy journey, and both the songs were sung by Rafi. Which one is the first? Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji, a duet sung by Rafi and Geeta Dutt. Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics for this particular song were most recently used to coin the film title of Karan Johar’s E Dil Hai Mushkil in 2016. The film also featured a Rafi song from An Evening in Paris (Title track), though it was edited off in the final cut. But the movie was dragged to controversies following Anushka’s character’s remarks in the film about Rafi’s singing style.

10. Taarif Karoon Kya Uski from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – Lovely pictured on a beautiful lake of Kashmir, Shammi Kapoor too was in his full energy mood for this song, while Sharmila Tagore as a shy girl. It’s a beautiful romantic solo sung by Rafi with lovely lyrics penned by S. H. Bihari. Also read: Top 20 peppy songs of Shammi Kapoor. The movie marked successful debut of Sharmila Tagore in Bollywood. Also read: Bollywood actresses who debut opposite Shammi Kapoor.

11. Kahin Na Kahin Dil Lagana Padega from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – The movie was extremely popular for the songs composed by O. P. Nayyar and sung by Rafi and Asha. The sound track included 8 songs chosen by Shammi Kapoor from a list of tunes given by Nayyar, and the rest of the songs were used for Sawan Ki Ghata, and both the movies were directed by Shakti Samanta. It might be a strange co-incidence or my wide guessing only – The film title Sawan Ki Ghata was coined from a phrase of the most popular duet of the album – Deewana Hua Badal.

Except one solo song sung by Asha Bhosle (Balma – not used for the movie, as far as I know), Rafi’s voice was well explored by Nayyar for the rest tracks, and songs did exceptionally well. All the songs were penned by S. H. Bihari. Kahin Na Kahin Dil Lagana Padega is the opening song of the film, and as I told before, Shammiji sings this solo track filmed on car.

12. Subhanallah Haseen Chehra from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – In 1960s, Shammi Kapoor mostly played a charming romantic hero onscreen and Shankar Jaikishen composed majority of his songs. Only in rare cases, he worked with other composers and succeeded as well. O. P. Nayyar for Kashmir Ki Kali and R. D. Burman for Teesri Manzil are best instances. As told above, when OP Nayyar made Shammi Kapoor to listen to some of his compositions, Shammi immediately said yes. This solo track featured Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore.

13. Hai Duniya Usiki Zamana Usika from Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) – While the rest of the songs were filled with fun, this one is an exception. This sad song featuring Shammi Kapoor was widely appreciated. Also read: Soulful melodies of Shammi Kapoor sung by Rafi.

14. Dil Ki Aawaaz Bhi Sun Mere Fasaane Pe Na Jaa Do from Humsaya (1968) – This very popular and touching song sung by Rafi can never miss my list. The song featured Joy Mukherjee and Sharmila Tagore, and lyrics were penned by Shevan Rizvi. Hasrat Jaipuri and S. H. Bihari also penned lyrics for the movie, yet a couple of songs written by Shevan Risvi turned extremely popular. The movie included the popular solo of Asha, Woh Haseen Dard De Do.

15. Zulfon Ko Hataa Le Chehre Se from Sawan Ki Ghata (1966) – Tunes of Sawan Ki Ghata were the unused tunes originally composed for Kashmir Ki Kali, but later used by the same director two years later for his next film. Though the compositions can’t match with the tunes of Kashmir Ki Kali, they got noticed. Lyrics were penned by S. H. Bihari, and its soundtrack included 8 songs. This solo version also featured its lead pair, Joy Mukherjee and Sharmila Tagore. The beautiful scenery is the highlight of this song. The movie featured two extremely popular solos sung by Asha Bhosle – Zara Hole Hole and Aaj Pehli Baar. The popular song, Meri Jaan Tum Pe Sadke has two solo versions in Mahendra Kapoor and Asha’s voice, and both featured Joy Mukherjee and Sharmila Tagore.

16. Mujhe Dekhkar Aapka Muskurana from Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) – This romantic track sung by Mohammed Rafi was written by S. H. Bihari. The song featured Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna. Whenever I hear the romantic track “Mujhe Raat Din” of 1999 film, Sangursh sung by Sonu Nigam, I feel that it’s heavily inspired from this O. P.Nayyar song. Feels like hearing Rafi’s song once again in Sonu Nigam’s voice. What do you feel?

17. Lakhon Hain Nigah Mein from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) – The song featured Joy Mukherjee, and this solo sung by Rafi was extremely popular. Words belong to Majrooh Sultanpuri. The movie included 4 Rafi solos. The movie starring Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh too was a box office hit.

18. Banda Parvar Thaam Lo Jigar from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) – The title track featured its lead pair, Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh. The song was sung by Rafi, and penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. 

19. Ajee Qibla from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) –  The movie included some of the finest teasing Rafi solos featuring the cute pair, Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh. It’s a fun filled song to light up the mood and hence included in this list.

20. Aanchal Mein Saja Lena from Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) – The song featured Asha Parekh and Joy Mukherjee, and this solo track was sung by Rafi. Majrooh Sultanpuri penned the lyrics. The song is short (below 3 minutes), but fully expressed the beauty of romantic, so lovely!

Top Duets of O. P. Nayyar – Mohammed Rafi combination

The list is incomplete without mentioning popular duets sung by Rafi in O. P. Nayyar compositions. In fact the composer gave some of the memorable duets to Rafi, apart from solo numbers, and most of them were recorded aside Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt. So, here is the list of some of extremely popular duets sung by Rafi for O. P. Nayyar.

1. Bahut Shukriya Badi Meherbani from Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

2. Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe from Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

3. Main Pyar Ka Rahi Hoon from Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

4. Isharon Isharon Men Dil Lenewale from Kashmir Ki Kali – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

5. Diwana Hua Badal from Kashmir Ki Kali – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

6. Meri Jaan Balle Balle from Kashmir Ki Kali – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

7. Phir Miloge Kabhi Is Baat Ka Vada Karlo from Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

8. Mohabbat Ka Haath Jawani Ka Palla from Howrah Bridge – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

9. Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji from Mr & Mrs. 55 (1955) – (Co-singer – Geeta Dutt)

10. Uthar Tum Haseen Ho from Mr & Mrs. 55 (1955) – (Co-singer – Geeta Dutt)

11. Dekho Kasam Se from Tumsa Nahin Dekha – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

12. Aaye Hain Door Se from Tumsa Nahin Dekha – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

13. Ek Pardesi Mera Dil from Phagun – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

14. Leke Pahela Pahela Pyar from C. I. D – (Co-singers – Shamshad Begum and Asha Bhosle)

15. Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein from C. I. D – (Co-singer – Geeta Dutt)

16. Yeh Desh Hai Veer from Naya Daur – (Co-singer – Balbir)

17. Ude Jab Jab Zulfein from Naya Daur – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

18. Maang Ke Saat Tumhara from Naya Daur – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)

19. Nazneen Bada Rangeen Hai Vaada Tera from Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon – (Co-singer – Asha Bhosle)