MY TOP 30 HINDI MOVIE SONGS OF 2021

You can listen to the entire playlist on Spotify HERE

Despite the persistence of COVID in 2021 and despite the mix of majorly OTT releases and a few theatrical releases, 2021 was a pretty good year for music lovers. Here is a list of my top 30 songs from Hindi films. The first 10 songs are ranked according to my liking. The remaining 20 are in no particular order.

This list only contains songs from films released in 2021, with the exception of "99 Songs" which I had already included in my list of favorite songs of 2020.

 

1.   Thode Kam Ajnabi (Pagglait)

(Himani Kapoor, Arijit Singh, Neelesh Misra)

 

The best thing about 2021 was Arijit Singh making his debut as a music composer for a full music album. He had composed a song here and there, but with "Pagglait", he made me respect and adore him even more. The fact that he thanked A.R Rahman when he released the OST is evident. What a mindblowing soundtrack he delivers – including the instrumental background scores. Out of the whole OST, "Thode Kam Ajnabi" is my favorite. Infact it is my favorite song of the year. Kudos to Arijit & Himani Kapoor for singing it so beautifully. Neelesh Misra writes some lovely lines.

 

2.   Tumhein Mohabbat (Atrangi Re)

(Arijit Singh, A.R Rahman, Irshad Kamil)

 

What an year it has been for Rahman! With "Mimi" and "Atrangi Re", ARR proves why he is still the best. "Tumhein Mohabbat Hai" is a wonderful nazm written by Irshad Kamil and ARR composes it with magical powers. As he said during the music release of the film, he composes an album which has a lot of changing ragas and yet the listener never feels that ARR is showing off by creating a complex tune. Also brownie points to Aanand Rai for a superb picturisation in the film. One of Arijit's finest sung songs in recent times!

 

 

3.   Mann Kesar Kesar (Meenakshi Sundareshwar)

(Shashwat Singh, Aanandi Joshi, Goldie Sohel, Justin Prabhakaran, Raj Shekhar)

Isn't it a lovely coincidence that two out of my top three songs star Sanya Malhotra! Coming to the song, such a delightful composition by Justin Prabhakaran. Shashwat Singh sings this too well and Aanandi Joshi complements him beautifully in the antara. A simple melody, soothing to the ears, some lovely lyrics and great singing – this song is going to be in my playlist for a long time.

 

 

4.   Rihaayi De (Mimi)

(A.R Rahman, Amitabh Bhattacharya)

 

Even after so many years, whenever ARR sings a song, it is something special. The picturization only adds to the magic. Amitabh Bhattacharya creates a simple yet effective hook line which ARR elevates to new levels by his composition and singing. Cherry on the top is the chorus singing in the last one minute.

 

5.   Lehra Do (83)

(Arijit Singh, Pritam, Kausar Munir)

 

A goosebumps inducing song sung impeccably by Arijit Singh, this is one more Pritam – Kabir Khan hit track. The tune is simple and very catchy. Kausar Munir does the rest. The result – one of the finest patriotric tracks in the last few years.

 

6.   Ram Sita (14 Phere)

(Rekha Bhardwaj, Mukund Suryavanshi for JAM8, Shloke Lal)

 

Many might not have heard this song. Infact even I listened to it after watching the movie. Lovely lyrics and some very soulful singing make this a perfect wedding bidaai song. Music director Mukund Suryavanshi (JAM8) deserves a pat on the back for such a brilliant gem. Do listen to this one if you haven't heard it yet.

 

7.   Rait Zara si (Atrangi re)

(Shashaa Tirupati, Arijit Singh, A.R Rahman, Irshad Kamil)

 

Mark my words – this is going to be the next "Agar Tum Saath Ho". Shashaa Tirupati's humming is surreal, and Arijit is as always great. Plus the way the song is used in the film at various places in various forms only makes it more addictive.

 

8.   Tera Hua (Cash)

(Arijit Singh, Akull, Kunaal Vermaa, Riya Duggal)

 

Another relatively unheard gem from an equally good film, this is one of Arijit's finest songs this year. A simple romantic song which is well composed, well written and well sung.

 

9.   Raataan Lambiyan (Shershaah)

(Jubin Nautiyal, Asees Kaur, Tanishk Bagchi)

 

I have always maintained my opinion that Tanishk Bagchi can do wonders. He only needs to steer clear from the remaking stuff. He frankly doesn't need to do it, given the powerhouse of talent he is. This song is addictive in the truest of senses. Nothing extraordinary – it is a good tune but extremely well sung by Jubin Nautiyal & Asees Kaur. Also the hook of the song is very catchy. So are the beats.

 

10.                      Hututu (Mimi)

(Shashaa Tirupati, A.R Rahman, Amitabh Bhattacharya)

 

One of those songs which gives us that old ARR feel, once again Shashaa Tirupati aces it with her beautiful rendition. The composer – lyricist duo create magic, literally!

 

11.                      Jo Tum Aa Gaye Ho (Toofaan)

(Arijit Singh, Samuel – Akanksha, Javed Akhtar, Manoj Kumar Nath)

 

Arijit again impresses. This time the composer duo impresses too. I would love to hear more of their works in the near future.

 

12.                      Kalle Kalle (Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui)

(Priya Saraiya, Sachin – Jigar)

 

Alright, frankly this song took quite a long time to grow on me. Initially I didn't quite love it. The tune felt generic, the instrumentation seemed minimal & Priya Saraiya's unconventional voice felt out of place. Slowly the song grew on me and how! A beautiful composition by Sachin-Jigar. Priya writes and sings it beautifully. Lovely stuff!

 

13.                      Koi Toh Aayega (Antim)

(Multiple Singers, Ravi Basrur, Shabbir Ahmed)

 

The sheer energy of the song gave me goosebumps. Ravi Basrur gives us one of the finest theme songs in a long long time. I missed seeing the film in theatres, but I am sure it would have been a superb experience listening to this song in surround sound.

 

14.                      Chal Wahin Chale (Saina)

(Shreya Ghoshal, Amaal Mallik, Manoj Muntashir)

 

A simple song in all forms, maybe it is this simplicity that makes it so endearing. Manoj Muntashir writes some lovely lines. Amaal Mallik creates a soothing and catchy tune and the rest of the magic is done by Shreya Ghoshal.

 

15.                      Kiston (Roohi)

(Jubin Nautiyal, Sachin – Jigar, Amitabh Bhattacharya)

 

I am a sucker for waltz based songs in Hindi films. Somehow they always attract my attention. This particular song was probably the only good thing about the movie. Jubin sounds so different and nice. Beautiful composition by Sachin – Jigar. Melody personified!

 

16.                      Dil Udd Jaa re (Pagglait)

(Neeti Mohan, Sunny M.R, Arijit Singh, Neelesh Misra)

 

A complex composition by Arijit Singh, Neeti Mohan owns it like a champ – flawless singing. The crescendo like nature of the song is very good.

 

17.                      Matlabi Yaariyan (The Girl on the Train)

(Neha Kakkar, Parineeti Chopra, Vipin Patwa, Kumaar)

 

Very rarely do I genuinely like a Neha Kakkar song. This is one of them. Like Mika Singh, I believe Neha too has tremendous potential whenever she sings slow numbers. This is one of her best sung songs ever. The other version sung by Parineeti Chopra is equally beautiful. The actress is spot on with her rendition – she needs to sing more.

 

18.                      Maafi (Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui)

(Ayushmann Khurana, Sachin – Jigar, Priya Saraiya)

 

A good Ayushmann sung song was due since a long time. There were a few Dhinchaak songs in between, but the last I remember which I loved was "Nazm nazm". Sachin – Jigar create a beautiful and slightly complex tune as it goes to the upper scale a few times, but Ayushmann gets every single note perfectly correct.

 

19.                      Shiddat title track (Shiddat)

(Manan Bhardwaj)

 

Sombre, intense and beautifully sung, Mannan Bhardwaj does everything here – write, compose and sing. The result is very good. Do it more often Mr Bhardwaj!

 

20.                      Kahe Muskay re (Bhavai)

(Shreya Ghoshal, Shabbir Ahmed)

 

A semi – classical based song, once again Shreya Ghoshal aces it with her flawless rendition. I have loved her song selection in the last 1 – 2 years. Shabbir Ahmed composes and writes a beautiful melody. An underrated song, this one!

 

21.                      Tu Yahin Hai (Meenakshi Sundareshwar)

(Madhushree, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Resmi Sateesh, Justin Prabhakaran, Raj Shekhar)

 

The best thing about this song is that addictive musical hook by Justin. Things get only better by roping in 2 awesome singers whose singing is outstanding – Madhushree & Abhay Jodhpurkar. I loved the grand orchestral background score.

 

22.                      Har Funn Maula (Koi Jaane Na)

(Vishal Dadlani, Zara Khan, Tanishk Bagchi, Amitabh Bhattacharya)

 

One more proof of how good a composer Bagchi is – this is an extremely foot-tapping dance number which is sung very well by Zara Khan and Vishal Dadlani.

 

23.                      Milaa Yun (Haseen Dilruba)

(Abhay Jodhpurkar, Yashita Sharma, Amit Trivedi, Kshitij Patwardhan)

 

This was an album which I felt didn't get the appreciation it deserved. Typical Amit Trivedi stuff, but very well done. This song has 2 versions – a normal one and a slow one – both of them are very nicely composed, sung and written.

 

24.                      Ishq Mera (Bhuj – The Pride of India)

(Pratibha Singh Baghel, Vipin Patwa, Manoj Kabir)

 

With a duration of only about two minutes, there is hardly any instrumentation in this one. I doubt if many people would have heard it. Do give it a try. Pratibha Singh's rendition is excellent.

 

25.                      Meri Zindagi Hai Tu (Satyamev Jayate 2)

(Jubin Nautiyal, Neeti Mohan, Rochak Kohli, Manoj Muntashir)

 

Just like "Raatan Lambiyan", this is one more song which doesn't boast of anything extraordinary. However a tune which instantly make you start humming it and some good singing make it become a very good number.

 

26.                      Dobara Alvida (Dobara Alvida)

(Krsna Solo, Saaveri Verma)

 

Essentially from a short film, this is a really well sung and composed song by Krsna Solo, especially the antara.

 

27.                      Dhik Chik (Bunty Aur Babli 2)

(Mika Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Amitabh Bhattacharya)

 

Nothing great, but I just got hooked to the "Dhik chik" portion. Sunidhi Chauhan & Mika Singh sing it nicely.

 

28.                      Kabhii Tumhe (Shershaah)

(Darshan Raval, Palak Muchhal, Javed-Mohsin, Rashmi-Virag)

 

Lovely lyrics in this song, both the versions by Darshan Raval & Palak Muchhal are equally good. Nicely composed.

 

29.                      Khoya Paaya (Dhamaka)

(Amit Trivedi, Delraaz Bunshah, Jasleen Royal, Vishal Khurana, Puneet Sharma)

 

The unconventional vocals of Amit Trivedi & Jasleen Royal make this song work. The lyrics are very good.

 

30.                      Faraar (Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar)

(Anu Malik, Dibakar Banerjee)

 

Absolutely nothing great about this song, it just transported me back to the 90's and early 2000's when Anu Malik's similar stuff was part and parcel of the Bollywood music industry.

 

Honorable Mentions

 

1.   Dheeme Dheeme (Haathi mere Saathi)

(Adriz Ghosh, Shantanu Moitra, Swanand Kirkire)

 

2.   Kamli (Hum do Hamare do)

(Jubin Nautiyal, Divya Kumar, Sachin – Jigar, Shellee)

 

3.   Ankhein Mili (Sanak)

(Raj Barman, Chirantan Bhatt, Manoj Yadav)

 

4.   Ek Adhoora Kaam (Ramprasad ki Tehrvi)

(Ninad Kamat, Arnab Chakraborty, Sagar Desai, Neeraj Pandey)

 

5.   Rann ma Kutchh (Rashmi Rocket)

(Swaroop Khan, Mooralala Marwada, Amit Trivedi, Kausar Munir)

6. Uddne Do (Velle)

(Amit Mishra, Kaushik-Guddu-Akashdeep for JAM8, Siddharth-Garima, Bipin Das) 

You can listen to the entire playlist on Spotify HERE