Top 20 Bollywood songs of Kishore Kumar tuned by Laxmikant–Pyarelal

Laxmikant–Pyarelal remained one of the top Bollywood composers for nearly three decades since 1960s. The duo reached their career peak in the 1970s & 1980s, when the era of Bollywood legends like S. D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishen, O. P. Nayyar, Naushad and Madan Mohan came to an end. The duo started gaining momentum since late 1960s, and with the rise of two superstars in the 1970s, they produced many super hit songs for them, alongside R. D. Burman and Kalyanji Anandi. Yes, their maximum hits were recorded for Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, like the rest two composers.

In the 1960s Laxmi-Pyare predominantly worked with Mohammed Rafi, followed by Mukesh, and they continued their association with both in the 1970s as well. Yet as per demand and trend, they recorded many hit songs with Kishore Kumar throughout 1970s and till his death. In fact Kishore was concentrated more on acting than singing till late 1960s. When LP started working with him, in most these cases, Kishore Kumar became the ghost voice of Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan. (Yet LP recorded several hits of both these superstars in Rafi’s voice too). Anand Bakshi remained the top lyricist of Laxmi-Pyare in the 1970s, and most of the listed songs belong to him as well.

Through this column, I shall list 20 of my favourite Bollywood songs of Laxmikant–Pyarelal & Kishore Kumar combination. Towards the end of the list I have also listed 40+ songs of this combo. Hope you will enjoy.

Top 20 Bollywood songs of Kishore Kumar and Laxmikant–Pyarelal combination

1. Mere Mehboob Khayamat Hogi from Mr. X in Bombay (1964) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

Let me begin the list with one of the most popular songs of Laxmi-Pyare filmed on Kishore Kumar himself. The romantic track, Mere Mehboob Khayamat Hogi had a happy and sad version rendered by Kumar. Kumkum was featured in the sad version. Khoobsurat Hasina Jane Ja is yet another duet from the album sung by Lata and Kishore.

An interesting fact to add – One of the early Indian sci-fi movies, Kishore Kumar played the role of an invisible man in this movie. Interestingly Laxmikant-Pyarelal composed music for Mr. India (1987), another movie based on the same theme of invisible man. Kishore Kumar made a glorious comeback by rendering 3 out of 6 tracks of the album. But he passed away a few months after the release of the movie.

2. Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai from Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) (Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi, Solo)

After Aradhana magic, Sharmila Tagore – Rajesh Khanna lead pair delivered many hits. Though R. D. Burman was associated with the majority of popular Khanna songs of 1970s and later, the music of Daag was composed by Laxmikanth-Pyarelal. Definitely Daag is one of the finest works of the duo’s career. Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai is one of the finest romantic songs sung by Kishore Kumar for Rajesh Khanna, and the single solo Kishore track of the musical album. Sharmila Tagore was also featured in this song. This particular song was nominated at Filmfare for best male playback singer, best lyrics and best music – a rare phenomenon. But sadly none of them could receive an award.

3. Hum Aur Tum Tum Aur Hum from Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) (Lyricist: Sahir Ludhianvi, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

The movie included some of the extremely popular songs of the lead singers. Almost all songs found place in Binaca Geetmala too. Ab Chahe Ma Roothe Yaa Baba is yet another popular duet of the duo.

4. Yeh Jeevan Hai from Piya Ka Ghar (1972) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

The theme song for this Basu Chatterjee’s classic featured Jaya Bhaduri and Anil Dhawan. This philosophical song of life has sadness in sublime.

5. Dil Ki Baaten Dil Hi Jaane from Roop Tera Mastana (1972) (Lyricist: Asad Bhopali, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

The song featured Mumtaz and Jeetendra, and Jeetendra entertained audience with his dance moves. Mumtaz played a double role of siblings in the movie, though the characters never appear together on screen.

6. Mere Naseeb Mein Aye Dost from Do Raaste (1969) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

The movie established Rajesh Khanna – Mumtaz jodi as the most popular pair of early 1970s. The movie also revived Mumtaz’ career, and promoted her to the list of A-grade Bollywood actresses. Earlier she was associated with B-grade action films. The movie was released just 4 weeks after Aradhana, and both the movies played a significant role in establishing Rajesh Khanna as the first superstar of Bollywood. Heart breaking song, Mere Naseeb Mein is the single Kishore Kumar song featured in the album.

7. Vaada Tera Vaada from Dushman (1971) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

The movie starring Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz was a super hit. This fast track filmed on Khanna and Mumtaz too was extremely popular.

8. Acha To Hum Chalte Hain from Aan Milo Sajna (1970) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

Laxmikant Pyarelal mostly preferred Lata Mangeshkar for female voice, while he experimented with different male voices. Just like S. D. Burman and Madan Mohan, he took extra effort to compose songs for Lata. In fact, Lata recorded maximum songs with LP and it is the same case in reverse as well. The song featuring Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna got noticed for its catchy lyrics, lovely music and filming and of course the beautiful rendition by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. It’s the single duet of Kishore Kumar in this album.

9. Ek Haseena Thi from Karz (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Co-singer: Asha Bhosle)

Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim and Simi Garewal were featured in the song, featured towards the climax of the film. The movie also included the popular duet, Mein Sola Baras Ki. Laxmikant-Pyarelal went away with Filmfare award for best composer for this album. Its background music and signature tune too were well received. All the fast tracks including Ek Haseena Thi were marked as trendsetters in the late 1970s, which very soon paved way to ‘Disco Era’ of 1980s.

10. Om Shanti Om from Karz (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

Rishi Kapoor on the dance floor, this song too was extremely popular when got released. The song has been remixed several times, and this song was used to coin the title of an SRK movie, and interestingly the movie too was based on the theme of incarnation with some elements copied from Rishi Kapoor starrer.

11. Gore Rang Pe from Roti (1974) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz remained the top screen pair of first half of 1970s, and the movie with a tragic end was super hit. This rain song too was extremely popular. It’s the only duet featured in the album. Yeh Public Hai is a popular solo sung by Kishore Kumar.

12. Dream Girl from Dream Girl (1977) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

Hema Malini was promoted as the Dream Girl from her first film, and later a movie was made in this name. Ever since the movie and song got release, Bollywood diva Hema Malini earned the title of ‘Dream Girl’. She was featured aside her future husband Dharmendra in this beautiful song.

13. Sa Re Ga Pa from Abhinetri (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

The movie was a flop at box office. However the movie got noticed for its melodious tracks composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. This popular duet with comic shades featuring Hema Malini and Shashi Kapoor was the highlight of the film, and Laxmikant Pyarelal used Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar’s voice to record the song. It’s the single Kishore Kumar track featured in the album. In the song Shashi Kapoor, not experienced in singing, tries to sing a song and he succeeds to impress his lady.

14. Ajnabee Tum Jaane Pehchaane Se Lagte Ho from Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965) (Lyricist: Asad Bhopali, Solo)

Yet another movie starring Kishore Kumar himself, the movie starred Ameeta in the female lead. This soft song had two solo versions in Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar’s voice, and we can’t say which one is more beautiful. Asad Bhopali worked with the composers in many movies of 1960s, before Anand Bakshi joined the team in the early 1970s.

15. Chal Chal Chal Mere Saathi from Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

LP who predominantly worked with Rafi, has also recorded a few Khanna songs in his voice. Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Do Raaste, Haathi Mere Saathi etc are among those instances. The duo experimented the voice of both Rafi and Kishore in these movies, and both were well received. This particular peppy number featured Tanuja aside Rajesh Khanna, aside a group of four elephants, who formed the supporting cast in the film.

16. Mere Deewanepan Ki Bhi Dawa Nahin from Mehboob Ki Mehndi (1971) (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

The song featured Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar. Laxmikant-Pyareral remained one such composer duo who experimented with Rafi’s voice for recording numerous Rajesh Khanna songs. Except this Kishore Kumar solo, all songs were recorded in Rafi’s voice.

17. Ruk Jaana Nahin from Imtihaan (1974) (Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Solo)

Vinod Khanna played a college professor in the movie, and this philosophical song about life journey has a sadness feel. Definitely one of the finest songs ever filmed on Khanna. Tanuja played the female lead.

18. Kaate Nahi Katte from Mr. India (1987) (Lyricist: Javed Akhtar, Co-singer: Alisha Chinoy)

One of the last hits of the legendary voice, the movie was released a few months before Kishore Kumar left us so unexpectedly at a comparatively young age. He was the main male voice of the album who sang for Anil Kapoor. Kishore Kumar sang two duets – Kaate Nahi Katte and Karte Hain Hum Pyaar Mr. India Se aside Alisha Chinai and Kavita Krishnamurty respectively. Kaate Nahi Katte featuring Anil Kapoor and Sridevi is framed as one of best sensual songs ever pictured on big screen. The beginning portion of the tune took inspiration from Shammi Kapoor starrer ‘Dheere Chal Dheere Chal’ song of Boy Friend, sung by Rafi.

19. Ek Ritu Aaye from Gautam Govinda (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Solo)

The philosophical song picturised on Vijay Arora and Shashi Kapoor showed the pathetic living conditions of rural villages, stuck by drought and famine. The movie is long-forgotten, but not this meaningful song. Vijay Arora as a postman is seen riding the bicycle, singing the song, and showing the pathetic condition of drought-struck village to Shashi Kapoor.

20. Tumko Bhi To Aisa Kuchh Hota from Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (Lyricist: Anand Bakshi, Co-singer: Lata Mangeshkar)

It has been only in rare occasions where Kishore Kumar’s voice has been used to record a song for Rajendra Kumar, and hence this beautiful duet sung by Kishore and Lata definitely deserves a position in my list. Laxmikanth Pyarelal gave rest of the tracks to his favourite Rafi. It was one of the rare associations of LP for any movie featuring Jubilee star. Kishore has sung for Rajendra Kumar only in three occasions – Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (1971), Sunehra Sansar (1975) and Aahuti (1978). Though 1960s was the glorious era of Jubilee star, and Kishore has been the ghost voice for a few popular stars in the era like Dev Anand, it took many years for music directors to finally try Kishore’s voice for Jubilee star, and Laxmikanth-Pyarelal was the first one to do so. In fact Kishore Kumar rarely sang for other actors in the 1950s and 1960s, except when specially demanded by S. D. Burman for Dev Anand.

A long list of Kishore Kumar hits tuned by Laxmikant–Pyarelal

1. Title track from Amar Akbar Anthony
2. Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyar from Amar Akbar Anthony
3. My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves from Amar Akbar Anthony
4. Ab Chahe Ma Roothe Yaa Baba from Daag: A Poem of Love
5. Yaar Dildar Tujhe Kaisa Chahiye from Chhailla Babu
6. Mein Sola Baras Ki from Karz
7. Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai from Dost
8. Maine Dekha Tune Dekha from Dushman
9. Jawaani O Deewani from Aan Milo Sajna
10. Aate Jate Khoobsurat Awara from Anurodh
11. Aapke Anurodh Pe from Anurodh
12. Yeh Public Hai from Roti
13. Baith Ja Khadi Ho Ja from Amir Garib
14. Moni Aur Soni Ki Hai Jodi from Amir Garib
15. Jaadugar Tere Naina from Man Mandir
16. Aadmi Jo Kehta Hai from Majboor
17. Dekh Sakta Hoon from Majboor
18. Pukaro Mujhe Phir Pukaro from Buniyaad
19. Dilbar Jani Chali Hawa Mastani from Haathi Mere Saathi
20. Sunja Aa Thandi Hawa from Haathi Mere Saathi
21. Dhak Dhak Kaise Chalti Hai Gaadi from Haathi Mere Saathi
22. Duniya Mein Rehna Hai To from Haathi Mere Saathi
23. Haal Kya Hai Dilon Ka Na Poochho Sanam from Anokhi Ada
24. Kal Ki Haseen Mulaqat Ke Liye from Charas
25. Khoobsurat Hasina Jane Ja from Mr.X in Bombay
26. Tum Jo Chale Gaye To from Aas Paas 
27. Gham Ka Fasana from Manchali
28. Jaane Kaisa Hai Mera Deewana from Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
29. Yeh Mausam Aaya Hai Kitne Saalon Mein from Aakraman
30. O Manchali Kahan Chali from Manchali
31. Sarakti Jaaye Hai from Deedar-E-Yaar
32. Jani O Jani from Raja Jani
33. Ae Mere Dil Khushi Se Machal from The Cheat
34. Prem Kahani Mein from Prem Kahani
35. Chal Dariya Mein Doob from Prem Kahani
36. Hum Banjaaro ki Baat Mat Pucho from Dharam Veer
37. Karte Hain Hum Pyaar Mr. India Se from Mr. India
38. Zindagi Ki Yahi Reet Hai from Mr. India
39. Daakiya Daak Laya from Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein
40. Hum Premi Prem Karna Jaanen from Parvarish
41. Title track from Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka
42. I Am In Love from Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka
43. Yeh Duniya Ke Badaltey Rishtey from Badaltey Rishtey
44. Bol Baby Bol Rock-N-Roll from Mere Jung

You can read a few more interesting topics on the legendary singer Kishore Kumar. Here is the page link. Click on the links to read.