12 evergreen Bollywood love songs to get you in the mood for love
1) Kuch Naa Kaho – 1942: A Love Story
The very last movie where RD Burman was the composer, before he passed away. A classic swansong from a legendary composer with the lyrics beautifully crafted by Javed Akhtar. And who can forget the glowing Manisha Koirala on a swing?
2) Pehla Nasha – Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Eternal lover boy Aamir Khan’s classic song that best depicts young, naive, innocent love in the Model versus Rajput cycling rivalry saga.
3) Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna – Kudrat
This song narrates the feeling of a lover for whom love is the most essential thing to live. Composed by RD Burman again, and sung by the soulful and versatile Kishore Kumar.
4) Dil Kya Kare – Julie
A classic from the sleeper hit Julie with a relatively unknown cast. The Instant Karma remix version made sure that this song remained in the minds of the current generation.
5) Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas – Blackmail
Lyrics that can melt your heart from the Dharmendra – Raakhi starrer. It refers to a lover missing his love but who is never too far from his mindscape.
6) Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge – Amar Prem
A forward thinking movie that defied society, norms and rituals on the path to forbidden love. Starring kaka Rajesh Khanna and the unforgettable “Pushpa, I hate tears” dialogue.
7) Chura Liya Hai Tumne – Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohd Rafi-saab and composed by Asha’s husband RD Burman, this song featuring the glamorous Zeenat Aman defined the vocabulary for a whole generation of lovers.
8) Kabhi Kabhie – Kabhi Kabhie
Immortal lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi and music by Khayyam, and Amitabh’s baritone sharing the lover’s dreamy thoughts picturized in the beautiful Kashmir. Need we say more? Both the male (Mukesh) and female (Lata Mangeshkar) versions are goose bump-inducing.
9) Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya – Mughal E Azam
The epic love story between Prince Salim and the daring dancer Anarkali which ends in heartbreaking tragedy could not have asked for a better anthem. The song shot in color in an otherwise black and white movie in a set that cost a ton of money is etched in everyone’s memories.
10) Tu Hi Re – Bombay
Any list will probably be incomplete without a song from the Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman. This Hariharan song, shot on Bekal Fort in the monsoons with the waves lashing against the rocks and a lovelorn Arvind Swamy waiting for Manisha Koirala stuns the listener in its intensity.
11) Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain – Pardes
Shahrukh – Subhash Ghai collaboration that also launched Mahima Chaudhry. This song is especially relevant in the Indian arranged marriage context where the ‘do dil mil rahe hain, magar chup ke chup ke’ as the two people involved get to know each other in a sometimes awkward, sometimes sweet scenario.
12) Tum Mile Dil Khile – Criminal
Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik rendered this beautiful melody in the otherwise forgettable ripoff of the Hollywood movie ‘The Fugitive’.