Top 25 Bollywood songs of Anu Malik – Kumar Sanu combination

Anu Malik and Kumar Sanu – two integral names of Bollywood music in the era of sweet melodies of 1990s. Kumar Sanu remained the most popular male voice not just for Anu Malik but other music composers as well, in the 1990s, before Sonu Nigam received an upper hand. Through this column, I shall list 25 of the best Kumar Sanu songs tuned by Anu Malik and most of them are romantic ones – solos or duets. I have sorted songs based on year of release for easy reference. In this list, majority of songs are duets, which Kumar Sanu sang aside Alka Yagnik and Sadhana Sargam, and a few others.

1. Is Pyar Se Meri Taraf Na Dekho from Chamatkar (1992)  – Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

One among the early releases of Shah Rukh Khan, he was paired with Urmila for this ghost comedy movie. This romantic song was filmed in a comic way, where Naseeruddin Shah, Shah Rukh Khan and Urmila Matondkar features in the song aside a group of grey shaded characters. Alka Yagnik is the female voice.

2. Tere Dar Par Sanam from Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi (1993)  – Lyrics: Qateel Shifai

The extremely popular romantic song has two versions in Kumar Sanu and Sadhana Sargam’s voices and both versions were extremely popular. Pooja Bhatt and Rahul Roy appear on screen for both these versions.

3. Badalon Mein Chup Raha Hai from Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi (1993) – Lyrics: Qateel Shifai

Apart from Tere Dar Par Sanam, the movie owns one more popular romantic song filmed on the lead pair and sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik – Badalon Mein Chup Raha Hai Kyon.

4. Baazigar O Baazigar from Baazigar (1993)  – Lyrics: Nawab Arzoo

Baazigar was the first major hit of Anu Malik’s career, and the music album also included the first ever recorded romantic song of Bollywood’s best onscreen couple – Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The movie also proved to be a turning point of the professional careers of SRK, Kajol and Anu Malik as well. This dream sequence was lovely filmed too. Kumar Sanu sang this duet aside Alka Yagnik for which both received Filmfare nominations, and it’s one of the early popular duets of the duo. The composer extensively used the voices of both to record his songs of 1990s, and the duo remained the most sought voices of the decade too.

5. Yeh Kaali Kaali from Baazigar (1993) – Lyrics: Dev Kohli

This dance sequence was filmed on SRK and Kajol and this song is inspired from ‘The Man Who Plays The Mandolino’ by Dean Martin and ‘Because of You’ by Cover Girls. Shah Rukh’s costume for the song was designed by his wife Gauri Khan. Kumar Sanu received Filmfare awards too.

6. Aaj Humein Maloom Hua from Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994)  – Lyrics: Nawab Arzoo

Kumar Sanu and Kavita Krishnamurthy rendered their voices for the beautiful duet. Jugal Hansraj and Urmila Matondkar who played siblings in their most memorable movie, Masoom (1983) played a romantic pair in this song.

7. Churake Dil Mera from Mein Khiladi Mein Anari (1994) – Lyrics: Rani Malik

One of the finest romantic tunes ever composed by the composer, the song was beautifully filmed on Akshay Kumar and Shilpa Shetty, who were then in a rumoured relationship. Anu Malik earned a Filmfare nomination for its compositions, which are still popular. Anu Malik reused the tune of Antara to compose Sambhala Hai Maine for Naaraaz the same year, and the song too was popular.

8. Is Tarah Aashiqui Ka from Imtihaan (1994) – Lyrics: Faiz Anwar

The movie inspired from Humraaz of 1960s has some melodious compositions too. Is Tarah Aashiqui Ka is the most popular song with two male versions, one in Vinod Rathod’s voice and second one in Kumar Sanu’s voice. Kumar Sanu’s version was immensely popular. The song was filmed two times in the movie – first time with Sunny Deol and second time with Saif Ali Khan, and has deep connection to film script too. Raveena Tandon was featured in both versions. The song was loosely inspired from the oldie classic ‘Autumn Leaves’.

9. Raah Mein Unse from Vijaypath (1994) – Lyrics: Zameer Kazmi

The movie was the first commercial hit of actress Tabu, who later went on to become a very successful and award winning actress. She appears in this duet song aside Ajay Devgan, and the song sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik was extremely popular those days. The duo also appears in a peppy number sung by Alisha Chinoy – Ruk Ruk Ruk.

10. Sambhala Hai Maine from Naaraaz (1994) – Lyrics: Qateel Shifai

This intense romantic track resembles Anu Malik’s Tere Dar Par Sanam somewhere, may be in music arrangement or rendering by Kumar Sanu. Both the songs are filmed almost the same way, the most beautiful and breath taking moments just before the expression of love, and the process to hide the true feelings. Interestingly Qateel Shifai penned lyrics of both these songs. The song featured Sonali Bandre and Atul Agnihotri. The tune of opening lines of Antara are quite similar to Churake Dil Mera song composed by Anu Malik same year.

11. Dil Mera Churaya Kyon from Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995) – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Both its lyrics and tunes were copied, yet it found a special place in the hearts of youth. Songs of Akele Hum Akele Tum were immensely popular those days. Yet Anu Malik got into a lot of controversies for plagiarism for its tunes. This heart breaking song was filmed on Aamir Khan and Manisha Koirala after their separation. Anu Malik provided the back vocals.

12. Dil Kehta Hai from Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995)  – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

The movie had a total of 6 tracks, and all the songs were instant hits. Anu Malik used the voice of Udit Narayan and Kumar Sanu for three each. Apart from Dil Mera Churaya Kyon and Dil Kehta Hai, Kumar Sanu also had a duet version of ‘Raja Ko Rani Se’ with Alka Yagnik. But this version was not so popular. Alka Yagnik sang this duet also.

13. Palkein Ho Khuli Ya Bandh from Takkar (1995)  – Lyrics: Rani Malik

The movie had two instant chartbuster duets – Palkein Ho Khuli and Aankhon Mein Base Ho Tum, and both were filmed on Suniel Shetty and Sonali Bendre. Palkein Ho Khuli is a soft romantic track.

14. Soch Raha Hoon Kisse Poochoo from Diljale (1996) – Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

This soft romantic track was filmed on Parmeet Sethi who thinks about a beautiful girl and sings about her in a private function. Sonali Bandre is that beautiful girl.

15. Payali Chunmun from Virasat (1997) – Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Payali Chunmun is best identified as Chithra song, for which she won National award for best playback singer. It’s a duet of Kumar Sanu and Chithra, filmed on Anil Kapoor and Tabu. The tune was copied from its original version “Inji Idupazhaga” from Kamal Hassan starrer Thevar Magan sung by Janaky for which she also received National award.

16. Taare Hai Baarati from Virasat (1997) – Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

The song featuring Anil Kapoor and Pooja Bhatra cherishes the marriage dreams of a girl. It’s a duet of Kumar Sanu and Jaspinder Narula who received some of her career best songs from Anu Malik.

17. Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili from Kareeb (1998) – Lyrics: Rahat Indori

Kareeb is one of the best Anu Malik albums known for its soft romantic tracks. He also introduced the fresh voice of Sanjeevani through Kareeb, and she sang a couple of duets with Kumar Sanu. The song was filmed on Bobby Deol and newcomer Neha.

18. Haan Judai Se Darta Hai Dil from Kareeb (1998)  – Lyrics: Rahat Indori

The album had three duets of Kumar Sanu and Sanjeevani, and this is the single sad song of the film.

19. Chura Lo Na Dil Mera from Kareeb (1998) – Lyrics: Rahat Indori

The song was loved for its music, lyrics and rendition. The song gave a major break to the career of Sanjeevani. However she couldn’t gain much from Bollywood later.

20. Soldier Soldier from Soldier (1998) – Lyrics: Sameer

The movie included some of the finest duets of Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, and this song tops the list. Mere Dil Jigar Sei and Mehfil Mein Baar Baar are other popular duets, and are filmed on Preity Zinta and Bobby Deol.

21. Mere Dil Jigar Sei from Soldier (1998) – Lyrics: Sameer

The song was well tuned by Anu Malik and well filmed on Preity Zinta and Bobby Deol too. Anu Malik earned Filmfare nomination for best music for Soldier. Mehfil Mein Baar Baar – is equally sweet as rest duets. 

22. Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain from Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999) – Lyrics: Sameer

The title track was filmed on Anil Kapoor and Kajol, who shared screen space for the first and last time for this movie. This track was sung by Kumar Sanu & Anuradha Paudwal.

23. Kasam Se Kasam Se from Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999) – Lyrics: Sameer

Yet another popular track sung by Kumar Sanu & Anuradha Paudwal, it was filmed on Anil Kapoor and Kajol. The song also featured the playback singers performing on stage.

24. Dil Mera Akela from Mela (2000) – Lyrics: Sameer

Though Anu Malik had a success run till late 2000s, he recorded only less Kumar Sanu tracks in the new millennium. With year 2000, Kumar Sanu reduced his work in music and concentrated on his political career, which made a negative impact in his musical journey. By that time Sonu Nigam rose to fame with a series of wonderful songs created by Anu Malik and others. With year 2000 onwards Anu Malik preferred Sonu Nigam’s voice over other singers, while Kumar Sanu remained his top choice of melodious 1990s. Ishq Visq, Ajnabee and Fida are a few of their noted works later.

Dil Mera Akela is a romantic duet of Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik, filmed on Twinkle Khanna and Aamir Khan, which was their first and last film together. In those days composers mostly preferred Udit Narayan’s voice to sing for Aamir Khan, and Dil Mera Akela was an exception of this practice. Sanu was one among the singers who sang one version of the title song of the movie.

25. Meri Zindagi Mein Ajnabee from Ajnabee (2001) – Lyrics: Sameer

It’s one of the rarest duets of Kumar Sanu – Sunidhi Chauhan, and a single duet of theirs to be featured in this list. The song was filmed on Kareena Kapoor and Bobby Deol.

A few more popular songs of Anu Malik – Kumar Sanu combination

1. Yeh Hai Pyar Pyar from Chamatkar (1992)

2. Paas Woh Aane Lagi from Mein Khiladi Tu Anari (1994)

3. Woh Aankh Hi Kya from Khuddar (1994)

4. Tumsa Koi Pyara from Khuddar (1994)

5. Raja Ko Rani Se from Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995)

6. Tujhse Kya Chori from Hum Hain Bemisaal (1995)

7. Hum Unse Mohabbat Karke from Gambler (1995)

8. Masoom Sanam from Suraksha (1995)

9. Neend Churai Meri from Ishq (1997)

10. Hameshaa Hameshaa from Hameshaa (1997)

11. Aisa Milan Kal Ho Na Ho from Hameshaa (1997)

12. Ankhon Mein Tum Ho from Ankhon Mein Tum Ho (1997)

13. Yeh Kya Hua from Tamanna (1997)

14. Ek Shararat Hone Ko Hai from Duplicate (1998)

15. Kathai Ankhonwaali from Duplicate (1998)

16. Mehfil Mein Baar Baar from Soldier (1998)

17. Hero Hindustani from Hero Hindustani (1999)

18. Jungle Hai Aadhi Raat from Biwi No: 1 (1999)

19. Ab Tere Dil Mein To from Aarzoo (1999)

20. Had Se Jyaada Aati Hai from Chehra (1999)

21. Dil Mere Tu Deewana Hai from Sooryavansham (1999)

22. Title track of Ishq Vishq (2003)

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