What are the best Bollywood music videos?
September 16, 2018 9:01 AM

What are the best Bollywood music videos of all time? I would love to watch some pop music from India.
posted by mortaddams to Media & Arts (12 answers total) 45 users marked this as a favorite
Some super obvious ones to get you started. These are songs which are well known not just because the melodies are good but because the way the songs were shot contributed to them being hits.

Chaiyya Chaiyya and Jiya Jale from Dil Se. (as a bonus, here's a terrific cover of Jiya Jale by the Berklee Indian Ensemble.)

Kaahe Chhed Mohe and Chalak Chalak from Devdas. If you like these, check out the other songs from the same film, they are all good and catchy and shot in this same very over the top style.

Mehndhi Laga Ke Rakhna from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (all the songs from this movie were good, this was just my favourite).

Radha Kaise Na Jale, Ghanan Ghanan and Mitwa from Lagaan.

Yeh Ishq Hai and Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met.

Dhoom Tana from Om Shanti Om.

Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari from Chennai Express.

Kajra Re from Bunty aur Babli.

There's so much! These are just the obvious, post-90s ones that sprang to mind when I saw the question. I'll come back later if I think of any more.
posted by Ziggy500 at 9:31 AM on September 16, 2018


Dil Dhadakne Do (Let Yourself Go) from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Love it.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 10:26 AM on September 16, 2018


Bole Chudiyan from Kabhi Khush Kabhi Gham is a really popular wedding song

Same with Mahi Ve

Radha Kaise Na Jale is a fun adaptation of a traditional Hindu religious ceremony. It's from Lagaan, the one Bollywood film to be nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar

Dholi Taro Dhol Baje is also a very fun, dance-y song showing a very colorful religious/cultural ceremony

Nimbooda is a very fun dance song

Beedi Jalaile is also very dance-y

I think, from a technical standpoint, Chaiyya Chaiyya (linked in the first answer) is probably the most impressive Bollywood music video--it was filmed on top of a moving train!
posted by armadillo1224 at 2:18 PM on September 16, 2018


Dola Re Dola (english subtitles) from Devdas (2012) is my favorite and is so great, just a lot of femme friendship power. Chaiyya Chaiyya is like awesome and ridiculous, may all of my daydreams on a train ride be like that.
posted by yueliang at 3:28 PM on September 16, 2018


Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai is a classic for a reason.
posted by karayel at 9:34 PM on September 16, 2018


I love this stuff. These two are wonderful:

https://youtu.be/GH6ka7Nm6fA

https://youtu.be/vTIIMJ9tUc8

Thanks for all the music!
posted by james33 at 6:24 AM on September 17, 2018


I don't know anything about "best" Bollywood songs, but I do have lots of them I like from the '40s on, so I can at least share some that stood out for me. I intended on just making a short list, but couldn't find a couple songs I wanted and in the search things spiraled out of control a bit when I kept running into songs I liked. Some of the songs are serious, some closer to novelty songs, some of the movies make the songs better, from wacky extravagance to being an integral part of a great film. I can't imagine anyone liking all the choices, but maybe some will be enjoyable.

I should add that not all of these clips are from "Bollywood" as that's just one part of the Indian film industry, primarily making Hindustani films, with Tamil and Telugu films being made elsewhere and serving a still substantial section of the population. I should also add I don't speak any of the languages, so my enjoyment comes despite that, or perhaps because of it at times since I'm not burdened by understanding the words, which can be at times a real negative with English pop songs.


Kaahe Koyal Shor Machaye from Aag
Chhod Gaye Baalam from Barsaat
Dharti Kahe Pukaar Ke from Do Bigha Zamin
Aaja Re Pardesi Main from Madhumati
Waqt Ne Kiya Kya Haseen Sitam from Kaagaz Ke Phool
Ooi Maa Ooi Maa Yeh Kya Ho Gaya from Parasmani
Khoya Khoya Chaand from Kala Bazar
Aaiye Meharbaan from Howrah Bridge
Hoon Jhoom Jhoom Jhumroo from Jhumroo
Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai from Anarkali
Aan Milo Aan Milo Shyam from Devdas
Lag Ja Gale from Woh Kaun Thi
Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi from Awaara
Jinhen Naaz Hai Hind Par & Sar Jo Tera Chakraye from Pyaasa
Mora Dukhua from Subarnarekha

Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from Mughal-E-Azam
Suku Suku & Yahoo! Chaahe Koyi Mujhe from Junglee
O Haseena Zulfanwaali from Teesri Manzil
Jaan Pehechaan Ho from Gumnaam
O MERI JAAN MAINE KAHA from The Train
Kaanta Laga… Bangle Ke Peechhe from Samadhi
Mere Angne Mein from Laawaris
Dekha Ek Khwab from Silsila
Aa Jane Jaan from Intaquam
Naa Mangoo Sona Chandi from Bobby
Bachke Jane Na Doongi Dildar & Muqabla Hum Se Na Karo from Prince
Affo Khudaa Hum Ko Tum Pe Pyar Aya from Jab Jab Phool Khile
Kaun Aya,Kaun Aya from Katha
O Dilbar Jaaniye from Haseena Maan Jayegi
In Aankhon Ki Masti from Umrao Jaan
Main Chali Main Chali from Padosan
Hari Om Hari from Pyaara Dushman
Main Aisee Cheez Nahin from Khuda Gawah
Yayi Re Yayi Re & Hai Rama from Rangeela
Jawani Janeman Haseen Dilruba from Namak Halaal
Eena Meena Deeka (Male) & Ina Mina Dika (Female) from Aasha
Disco Station Disco from Haathkadi
Baango Baango Baango from Qaidi
Rambha Ho Ho Ho from Armaan
Duniya Mein Logon Ko Dhoka from Apna Desh
Pandu Pandu Pandu & Bangaru Kodi Petta from Gharana Mogudu

Sundari from Kannathil Muthamittal
Zoobi Doobi from 3 Idiots
Dhak Dhak Karne Laga from Beta
Mellisaiye from Mr Romeo
Dil Di Nazar from Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya
jhini mini jhini from Maqpool
Young Yama from Yamadonga
Chhoti Si Kahani Se Barishon Ke Pani Se from Ijaazat
Ainvayi Ainvayi from Band Baaja Baaraat
Aaj Ki Raat from Don- The Chase Begins Again
Konjam Nilavu from Thiruda Thiruda
Tamma Tamma Loge from Thanedaar
Mukkala Mukkabala from Kadhalan
Ghoomar from Padmaavat
Bhage Re Man from Chameli
Chale Jaise Hawaien from Main Hoon Na
Crazy Kiya Re from Dhoom 2
Chammak Challo from Ra One
Nagada Nagada from Jab We Met
Pardesi from Dev D
Character Dheela from Ready
Dhadhang Dhang from Rowdy Rathore
Mayya Mayya from Guru
Chota Bacha Jaan Ke Na Koi Aankh Dekhana Re from Masoom
Nagada Sang Dhol from Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
Dreamum Wakeupum from Aiyyaa
Tha Kar Ke from Golmaal Returns
Deewani Mastaani from Bajirao Mastani
Khallas from Company
Aye Bachchu from Ghajini
Jugni 1 from Oye Lucky Lucky Oye
Babaji Ki Booty from Go Goa Gone
Dum Maaro Dum from Deepika Padukone
Khalibali from Padmaavat
Duniya from Gulaal
Dil Chi Cha Ledar from Gangs of Wasseypur 2
O Womaniya from Gangs Of Wasseypur
posted by gusottertrout at 2:45 PM on September 17, 2018


SRK and Aish Rai in Ishq Kameena from Shaki. Mesmerizing.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 3:43 PM on September 17, 2018


Okay, now we're getting serious.
Mrs. Major and I don't watch a lot of Bollywood because we are picky, but our absolute favorite is Rab Ne Bana De Jodi.
So many gems of songs, so I'll share a few with you.

Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai
Haule Haule
Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte

And of course, the last dancing scene (spoiler alert if you haven't seen the movie), which gives me onions every time.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 6:09 AM on September 18, 2018


Omg. Kya baat hai! Great question, amazing answers.

I made a Youtube playlist of these songs: Best Bollywood Music Videos - Ask Metafilter edition. So far over 110.

Will come back later for more, and for my own contributions, am getting concerned about the lack of Rani Mukherjii.
posted by squishles at 7:33 AM on September 18, 2018




This classic by Alisha Chinai - Made in India.
posted by amar at 5:19 AM on October 22, 2018


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