If 2016 will be remembered for the Music of one particular Film, it will be for SAIRAT. Only 4 songs composed by Ajay Atul, but all these 4 songs surpass all the other songs released in any other language in India; such were the melodies of Sairat. And the visuals of these songs were like a cherry on the icing. Comparatively, Hindi Film songs were a let-down. But there were some gems, which shone through because of their Lyrics. The lyrics dominated more than the tunes in most of the cases. So here goes my Top 10 Hindi Film Music Albums of 2016, in the reverse order.
10. KAPOOR & SONS (SINCE 1921)
Music – Amaal Mallik, Badshah, Tanishk Baagchi, Arko, Nuclea, Benny Dayal
Lyrics – Badshah, Kumaar, Dr. Devender Kafir, Abhiruchi Chand, Manoj Muntashir, Christopher, Pradeep
Chull and Let’s Nacho were party chart busters earlier this year. And completely opposite to these songs were Bolna and Saathi Rey. The songs couldn’t match up to the intensity of the Film that Kapoor & Sons was. Wish there was one big heart-break number, which could elevate the Music of Kapoor & Sons.
My Picks – Bolna, Chull
9. BAAR BAAR DEKHO
Music – Prem Hardeep, Badshah, Amaal Mallik, Arko, Jasleen Royal, Bilal Saeed
Lyrics – Amrik Singh, Kumaar, Arko, Prateek Kuhad, Bilal Saeed
And Kaala Chashma is one reason why Baar Baar Dekho will be remembered. Actually the only reason I guess. But give this album a try and you will notice so many other gems. Nachde Ne Saare is what Gallan Goodiyaan was for last wedding season. And Sau Aasmaan, Dariya and Teri Khair Mangdi are beautiful compositions, something to listen to while you are on beach-side holiday.
My picks – Teri Khair Mangdi, Nachde Ne Saare, Kaala Chashma
8. DHANAK
Music – Tapas Relia
Lyrics – Ali Mir Husain, Manoj Yadav, Tapas Relia
The Most Underrated Album of the Year. Tapas Relia takes us to the Land of Rajasthan with some songs which are worth listening to on loop. Be it the simple and melodious title track or the folksy Mehandi, or the Fusion version of Damadam Mast Kalandar, every song is magical on-screen and off-screen too.
My Picks – Mehandi, Dhanak, Jeene Se Bhi Zyada Jiyein, Damadam
7. SULTAN
Music – Vishal Shekhar
Lyrics – Irshad Kamil
Sultan’s Music has immense repeat value. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics enacted by Salman Khan. Who would have thought? Be it the rousing Sultan’s title song or the hook music of Sultan that runs throughout the Movie or the massy Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai; be it the melodious Jag Ghoomeya or the soulful Bulleya; Sultan was one album which made me enjoy an entertaining music album after a long long time.
My Picks – Tuk Tuk, Bulleya, Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai, Jag Ghoomeya
6. BEFIKRE
Music – Vishal Shekhar
Lyrics – Jaideep Sahni
Second Vishal Shekhar’s Album with YRF this year and they know their work so perfectly. Befikre’s songs would have been chart busters if the promos weren’t so misleading (Which in turn affected the Movie too). 6 songs and an instrumental, Befikre’s songs had fresh lyrics penned by Jaideep Sahni and the way Vishal Shekhar have got the right combination of Lyrics-Tune-Singers is applause worthy. Labon Ka Karobaar, Nashe Si Chad Gayi, Ude Dil Befikre and Je T’aime – in spite of having a variety, they all merge well as songs of one Movie. Lilting tunes.
My Picks – Je T’aime, Labon Ka Karobaar, Ude Dil Befikre, Nashe Si Chad Gayi
5. MIRZYA
Music – Shankar Ehsaan Loy & Daler Mehndi
Lyrics – Gulzar
The Most Daring and Unusual Album of the Year. Mirzya was a Music Lovers treat. Where else would you get almost 15 pieces in a Hindi Film. Gulzar’s Lyrics and Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s tunes created Magic. Contemporary Fusion numbers, Pure Classical numbers, Powerful numbers or just pure recitals talking the story forward; Mirzya’s Music is only for the classes.
My Picks – Mirzya Theme, Kaaga, Aave Re Hitchki, Doli Re Doli, Mirzya
4. DANGAL
Music – Pritam
Lyrics – Amitabh Bhattacharya
I wouldn’t have imagined Pritam coming up with such catchy tunes for a Biopic and that too for a Sports Drama. The outstanding and whacky lyrics of Haanikaarak Baapu, Dhaakad and Dangal by Amitabh Bhattacharya proves why is ahead by miles when compared to his contemporaries. And the choice of singers. Daler Mehndi makes Dangal his own song and there is no one else who could have sung it better. Hats off to Nitesh Tiwari and Aamir Khan for having faith in Pritam to come up with an Album like Dangal.
My Picks – Haanikaarak Baapu, Dhaakad, Dangal, Idiot Banna, Gilehriyaan
3. AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL
Music – Pritam
Lyrics – Amitabh Bhattacharya
I still remember the day when Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Title Song was out and the social media went crazy. And probably the First Album that kept releasing singles every few days, rather than releasing the entire Audio at one go. What followed after the Title song was Bulleya and then came Channa Mereya. It again took the social media by storm. Karan Johar’s Film, once again had some memorable Music. The way he has used Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Na Karo is commendable. Again the duo of Pritam and Amitabh Bhattacharya have lived up to the expectations.
My Picks – Channa Mereya, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Break Up Song, Aaj Jaane Ki Zidd Na Karo, Cutie Pie
2. FITOOR
Music – Amit Trivedi
Lyrics – Swanand Kirkire
And to be honest, it was a daunting task to put the top 3 in order. Fitoor would have been right at the top, if the Movie and the visuals of the songs had matched the madness of Amit Trivedi’s tunes for this one. Each and every song of Fitoor is so palpable. Be it the title song sung by Arijit Singh (which got over shadowed by Channa Mereya, later in the year), or the Kashmiri feels in Pashmina or Haminastu or Hone Do Battiyaan, every song is written beautifully by Swanand Kirkire and sung beautifully too.
My Picks – Hone Do Battiyaan, Pashmina, Fitoor, Haminastu, Ranga Re
1. UDTA PUNJAB
Music – Amit Trivedi
Lyrics – Shellee, Amit Trivedi, Late Shiv Kumar Batalvi, Varun Grover
And Abhishek Chaubey’s Udta Punjab tops my List of the Best Hindi Film Music Album this year. It is the perfect combination of everything falling in place seamlessly. Music by Amit Trivedi, Various Lyricists, great choice of Singers and some memorable visuals. Not to forget, every song is a gem. It’s a complete package. Who would come up with something like – Rifle dikhaike mushaaire lutiye? And hearing that in Vishal Dadlani’s voice is a high in itself. And then there is Kanika Kapoor’s powerful rendition of Da Da Dasse and Diljit Dosanjh’s Ikk Kudi which is such a soothing number. Or that the Punjabi flavored Hass Nach Le or Vadiya. Brilliant compositions. Take a bow Amit Trivedi.
My Picks – Hass Nach Le, Udd Da Punjab, Da Da Dasse, Chitta Ve, Ikk Kudi
Honorable Mentions – Vipin Patwa’s BOLLYWOOD DIARIES
Hoping 2017 soars even more greater heights in terms of Music.
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