MY FAVORITE SONGS BY VISHAL DADLANI - THE SINGER

 

Let me be brutally honest. I have always loved Vishal Dadlani – be it his compositions with Shekhar, his singing or his writing. Infact, Jhankaar Beats remains one of my all time favorite albums even today.

However there was a time in between when I had started disliking his political stands. Now I myself am not in particular favor of any party, but I always felt that Vishal is a bit too vocal about his political stance. With time I realized that it is his personal opinion and one has to respect that. His contribution to the music industry SHOULD NOT BE mixed with his political standing.

And so here I am with a list of my favorite songs sung by Vishal. And let me tell you – I had a tough time choosing these. The main reason behind this was the highly unconventional singing of Vishal. Here is a singer who can choose when to sound melodious and when to sound husky and scratchy in a good way. Those who feel Vishal can only sing fun energetic songs should kindly go through this list, because in my opinion, some of his softer numbers are some of his best ones.

 

1.   Reham O Karam (We are Family)

 

I have always felt that Vishal-Shekhar and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have a SYMBIOTIC relationship.  They both depend a lot on each other. They both utilize each other as playback singers like no one else does. Shankar Mahadevan has sung many songs for Vishal-Shekhar. Likewise, Vishal has sung innumerable songs of different types with SEL.

 

This particular song from "We are Family" is perhaps Vishal's best sung and yet most underrated song according to me. Sung by Vishal & Shankar Mahadevan, they both complement each other beautifully. A song which relies more on the tune and the backing vocals rather than heavy instrumentation, I have always felt this song did not get the acclaim it deserved.

 

2.   Aadat hai Woh (Patiala House)

 

Once again composed by SEL, this song gives us a rare insight into Vishal Dadlani's range of voice. Let me tell you – this is a pretty difficult song. It has extremely low notes and some extremely high notes, both of which are rendered beautifully by Vishal. A song with minimal instruments, this one too relies on the backing vocals and they are brilliant!

 

3.   Jee le Zaraa (Talaash)

 

One of Vishal's most successful songs, this one has him doing what he does best – sing in a high scale. A gorgeous tune by Ram Sampath, Vishal's scratchy voice fits the tune like a glove.

 

4.   Sholon Si (Shabd)

 

I was in school when this song released. I still remember the first time I heard it on TV, I thought it was sung by Adnan Sami. I wondered that Adnan's voice sounded a bit different but very nice. It was later that I came to know that the singer was Vishal Dadlani. Vishal has a mastery of sorts in this particular genre. In fact, there is a song on similar lines from the film Kaabil (Salsa) which also features later down in this list.

 

5.   Saaiyaan Ve (Tara rum pum)

 

A criminally underrated movie and OST, this song has been my favorite out of the entire album since I first heard it. There is something about the song which arrests you – maybe the melody or Vishal's singing, maybe both. Do listen to it if you haven't heard it yet.

 

6.   You May Be (Aladin)

 

Another beautiful gem, this is one of my personal favorites. Composed by Vishal-Shekhar themselves, this composition itself is lovely. Also, we get to see the melodious side of Vishal's singing. This film may not have worked, but this song still remains a part of my playlist.

 

7.   Kar Chalna Shuru Tu (Ek Main Aur Ek Tu)

 

A typical Amit Trivedi composition, Vishal sings this one pretty well, especially the higher notes.

 

8.   Ziddi Dil (Mary Kom)

 

One of the best motivational songs according to me, full credit to the composers Shashi Suman & Shivam Pathak for composing an upbeat tune and choosing Vishal Dadlani to sing it. He does wonders, literally! Also, this is a great song for working out. Try jogging to the beats of this song.

 

9.   Jaane Kyun (Dostana)

 

Many people recognized Vishal's singing prowess with Dostana, I feel. With an ultra peppy tune and beat, this song feels fresh even today. A lot of credit also goes to Anvita Dutt Guptan for writing some of the most casual and yet memorable lyrics.

 

10.           Anjaana Anjaani (Title Song)

 

2 singers with husky deep voices sing together a gorgeous composition and the result is nothing but awesomeness. A sort of crescendo, Shilpa Rao and Vishal both are pitch perfect in the low notes as well as high notes. A proper love song, this one also feels fresh even today.

 

11.           Mar jaiyaan (Vicky Donor)

 

Composed by Bann Chakraborty, this song has 2 versions. However the more popular version by Vishal and Sunidhi Chauhan is definitely the superior one. When you look at it, the combination of Vishal Dadlani and Sunidhi Chauhan for a romantic song is indeed a unique one. Vishal sings this one in a high pitch and Sunidhi goes for a lower pitch. This combination sounds delightful.

 

12.           Jab mila tu (I Hate Luv Storys)

 

Right from the instrumental beginning, this song is instantly catchy. Vishal again nails this one with his high pitched rendition.

 

13.           Mon Amour (Kaabil)

 

Written by Manoj Muntashir and composed by Rajesh Roshan, this peppy song with a dash of salsa is sung extremely well by Vishal. He seems to have had a ball while singing this one. Hrithik's dance moves only enhance the effect further.

 

14.           Adhoore (Break ke Baad)

 

Vishal sings this one along with Alyssa Mendonsa. Again a unique combination and they sound very good together.

 

MOVING ON THE MORE PEPPY SONGS:

 

15.           Amdavad Re / Zinda Re (Wrong Side Raju)

 

Sachin-Jigar make Vishal sing a Gujarati song and he totally rocks it. A trippy song, full marks to the composers for the composition and to Vishal for his perfect Gujarati rendition. For amdavadis, rather all of us Gujaratis, this song remains special.

 

16.           Banjaara (Chef)

 

An underrated film with an even more underrated album, this song sees Raghu Dixit and Vishal Dadlani at their very best. An extremely foot tapping song, there is so much to appreciate in this song.

 

17.           Chhokra jawaan Re (Ishaqzaade)

 

Personally, I feel this is one of Vishal's best sung songs ever. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, this composition is a difficult one. By difficult I mean the various changes in tempo as well as the banter between the 2 actors. Secondly, Vishal's synchronization with Sunidhi is outstanding. Just as we have jugalbandi in instruments, this one is a jugalbandi between the 2 lead singers. They both literally rock. Vishal particularly impresses more because unlike the much more seasoned Sunidhi, he gets everything perfect, including the last fast paced portion. This is one of those rare songs which give you a feeling of exhilaration by the time it finishes, making you for the repeat button.

 

18.           Malhari (Bajirao Mastani)

 

I don’t think anyone else but Vishal could have sung this song. It is tailor made for him. I am sure even Bhansali mustn't have had anyone else in mind when he composed this song. Not his most melodious one, but melody wasn’t required here. The aggression, the enthusiasm and the energy needed for this song is infused perfectly by Vishal Dadlani.

 

19.           I Feel Good (Anjaana Anjaani)

 

Another duet where Vishal And Shilpa Rao get together, this song is also high on energy and extremely well sung by both the singers. Anjaana Anjaani is probably one of Vishal-Shekhar's best soundtracks.

 

20.           Ik Junoon (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara)

 

Another tailor-made song for Vishal, SEL create the perfect song which has become synonymous with the Tomatina festival for us Indians over the years.

 

21.           Selfie Le Le Re (Bajrangi Bhaijaan)

 

Vishal Dadlani singing a "Bhai" song – this must have been a dream come true for him. Such is the commercial mass appeal of this song that it will remain a chartbuster for many years to come. Kudos to Pritam for composing such a memorable tune.

 

22.           Gulaabo (Shaandaar)

 

Very well sung by Vishal, this one has a lot of things to like. The fine tune by Amit Trivedi, the lovely video and the brilliant singing by Anusha Mani and Vishal.

 

23.           Nazaara Hain (8x10 Tasveer)

 

With Vishal at his scratchy best, this composition by Salim-Sulaiman is pretty similar to the next song on this list. The "Nazaara hai…. HAIN" portion in particular is great.

 

24.           Kurbaan Hua (Kurbaan)

 

A similar composition, this one became more popular due to the music arrangements, promotion and finally Vishal's superlative singing.

 

25.           Madaari (Coke Studio India)

 

Clinton Cerejo's song is one of the finest songs to have come out of the Indian Coke Studio. Sung by Sonu Kakkar and Vishal Dadlani, they both complement each other brilliantly. Full marks to both for their rendition.

 

26.           Barso Yaaron (London Dreams)

 

3 stalwarts get together for this song – SEL, Roopkumar Rathod and Vishal Dadlani. Now I feel there is this strange connection between Vishal Dadlani and Lord Hanuman – whenever they get together, they create magic. This song is no exception. With a lot of variations, the two lead singers are amazing. They infuse the required energy to this song. With over 3 antaras, the song gradually reaches its peak with the Hanuman Chalisa. Though Roopkumar Rathod has more portions, it is Vishal who makes this song reach a high energetic level.