2022 was a solid year as far as Hindi music was concerned. There were less crappy remakes compared to last year. Or maybe I finally learnt how to ignore those completely.
For me, Amit Trivedi takes the cake for being the composer of the year. No one has utilized the COVID lockdown and the post-covid period better than Amit Trivedi. I mean, just look at the amount of music he has composed in the last 2 and a half years! And I don't count only films. I am counting every single song he has composed for "AT AZAAD", his latest music album "Jadu Salona" and one lovely Gujarati film album titled "Prem Prakaran". When I was just beginning to fear that he had become repetitive, he proved me wrong with that banger of an OST titled "QALA".
Another noteworthy composer this year was Achint Thakkar with his fabulous and wacky "Monica O My Darling".
Talking about lyricists, I have to mention that genius named Varun Grover for his works this year, including a sweet cameo in "Qala". Long back, I had read somewhere that whenever we read Lata Mangeshkar's tweets on Twitter, we automatically imagined hearing them in her voice. Grover has a similar effect on me. Whenever I see his tweets, his penned songs, I automatically imagine them in his voice.
Below is a comprehensive list of my 30 favourite songs from Hindi films from this year, along with a miscellaneous list at the end where I include some random Gujarati music, some indipop albums and some Hindi versions of songs originally in Tamil/Telegu/Kannnada-
(FOR THE LINK TO THE SPOTIFY PLAYLIST, CLICK HERE )
1. PHERO NA NAJARIYA (QALA)
(Amit trivedi, Kausar munir, Sireesha Bhagavatula)
This was undoubtedly the best song of the year for me. Surprisingly, I hadn't had time to catch this song before the film released. So I heard it the first time while seeing the film itself. But I had goosebumps throughout the song. Be it Kausar Munir's lyrics, Amit Trivedi's tune or Sireesha's outstanding singing, everything about this song is amazing. It feels so good and rewarding to see deserving singers from reality shows deliver despite having being eliminated from those shows due to whatever reasons.
2. ATAK GAYA (BADHAAI DO)
(Amit Trivedi, Varun Grover, Arijit Singh, Rupali Moghe)
There is something about Varun Grover's words which hook you onto a song. The words "Atak Gaya" are so common parlance, and yet they sound so fresh in a song. Add to that, Amit trivedi creates a dead – gorgeous melody – the result is sheer magic. And thus, I didn't mind the multiple versions of this song in the soundtrack.
3. KESARIYA (BRAHMASTRA)
(Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Arijit Singh)
Let's admit it. Apart from the "love-storiyan" lyrics, it is humanly impossible to not love this song. For me, it was love on first hearing. Every 1-2 years, there comes a song which achieves massive acclaim. There was "Bekhayaali" from Kabir Singh. After that, there is "Kesariya".
4. NAMONISHAN (DHAAKAD)
(Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Nikhita Gandhi)
This was probably the only good thing in the entire film. Talking about the song, I still remember being floored when I first heard it. Such mind blowing arrangements and Nikhita Gandhi's best song till date – this is proof of the greatness we know as "SEL".
5. JAADUGARI (JAADUGAR)
(Nilotpal Bora, Hussain Haidry, Karthik, Tushar Joshi)
Again, this was the only thing worth remembering from a rather forgettable film. Nilotpal Bora continues to amaze me with his talent. I love all three versions of this song – sung by Nilotpal himself, Tushar Joshi and Karthik.
6. SHAUQ (QALA)
(Amit Trivedi, Varun Grover, Swanand Kirkire, Shahid Mallya, Sireesha Bhagavatula)
After ages, I listened to a song with such thehraav. Also, the combined talent of the names mentioned above is amazing. Swanand Kirkire's voice is so apt, while Sireesha is again outstanding. So is Shahid Mallya. Grover pens some of his career best lines and similarly, Amit Trivedi composes one of his career best albums. He proves that minimal use of instruments can often be so soothing.
7. SHIKAYAT (GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI)
(Sanjay Leela Bhansali, A.M Turaz, Archana Gore, Tarannum Malik Jain, Aditi Paul, Kalpana, Dipti, Rucha, Pragati, Archana)
Qawalis are difficult to pull, but SLB pulls this one like a pro! The background music, the lyrics, the lead singers and especially the chorus singers – everyone does their job perfectly. The picturization was what made it even more effective.
8. PHIR NA AISI RAAT (LAAL SINGH CHADDHA)
(Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Arijit Singh)
This song is proof of why Pritam and Amitabh Bhattacharya's combo is a genius one. Written so nicely that it fits in like a glove to the situation in the film, Arijit Singh also shows his versatility in low and high scales.
"Laal Singh Chaddha" for me was that proper commercial Bollywood album of the year.
9. SUN BHI LE (ITTU SI BAAT)
(Vishal Mishra, Raj Shekhar, Arijit Singh)
A criminally underrated album by Vishal Mishra, this song stands oout among the rest due to its lovely lyrics and Arijit's singing. Do catch the rest of the album especially "Gulabi" and "Dil Darbadar".
10. MAIYYA MAINU (JERSEY)
(Sachet – Parampara, Shellee, Sachet Tandon)
The Sahid – Sachet – Parampara trio are back with another banger of a song! Although this song released in 2021, I am including it because the movie released this year.
11. HAR JAGAH TU (DOCTOR G)
(Sultan Sulemani, Kumaar, Raj Barman)
Simplicity is the USP here – right from the tune to Raj Barman's effortless singing. It is a song which is instantly catchy and hummable.
12. KAHANI (LAAL SINGH CHADDHA)
(Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Mohan Kannan, Sonu Nigam)
Very rarely does it happen that I happen to equally love all versions of the same song. This is one of those songs. While Mohan's version is hauntingly beautiful, Sonu Nigam's version proves why he still is the best singer of this generation.
13. YEH EK ZINDAGI (MONICA O MY DARLING)
(Achint Thakkar, Varun Grover, Anupama Chakraborty Shrivastava, Mikey McCleary)
This album was undoubtedly the wackiest and most fresh soundtrack of the year. Achint Thakkar proves he is here to stay. The entire retro feel of the song and album is commendable. Full points to the singers and Varun Grover for aceing everything!
14. FITOOR (SHAMSHERA)
(Mithoon, Karan Malhotra, Arijit Singh, Neeti Mohan)
Mithoon takes on the mammoth task of composing for a different genre, and succeeds. From a different and nice album, this song stood out for its sheer brilliance as far as tune is concerned, and the outstanding singing by Neeti Mohan with equal support by Arijit Singh. The gorgeous visuals were the icing on the cake.
15. MERI JAAN (GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI)
(Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Kumaar, Neeti Mohan)
I guess Neeti Mohan is SLB's lucky charm. After singing the best and least heard song from "Padmaavat" (Nainowale), she is back with yet another amazing song. Everything about this song is great – the singing, the visuals, the instrumentation.
16. RAAT BHAR (MODERN LOVE MUMBAI)
(Vishal Bhardwaj, Meiyang Chang)
What can be better that a song written and composed by Vishal Bhardwaj?
The answer is "Chang singing it."
Gorgeous song, this one! I loved the lyrics.
17. AISE KYUN (MISMATCHED SEASON 2)
(Anurag Saikia, Raj Shekhar, Rekha Bhardwaj)
I don't remember the last time I felt like seeing a movie/series after listening to its music. I watched "Mismatched" only after coming across this beautiful song in instagram reels. Rekha Bhardwaj's voice is magical, and so is the use of tabla. Special mention to Raj Shekhar's lovely lyrics.
18. BAADAL SE DOSTI (JHUND)
(Ajay-Atul, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Sid Sriram)
The goosebumps I get when Sid Sriram sings "Jeena hai toh, wajah dhoondh le" – oooffff!!! Fab lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya and a very un – Ajay-Atul tune which they pull off brilliantly.
19. TUR KALLEYAN (LAAL SINGH CHADDHA)
(Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Shadab Faridi, Altamash Faridi, Arijit Singh)
Apart from the fabulous singing and tune, it is Amitabh Bhattacharya's excellent lyrics which works the most for me.
20. BAAKI SAB THEEK (BHEDIYA)
(Sachin-Jigar, Amitabh Bhattacharya)
In the entire Hindi film industry, only Sachin-Jigar have the capability to create such mad, wacky and yet melodious music. On the lines of "Babaji ki Booty", this is another trippy song. In case you noticed above, I have mentioned only the names of the composers and the lyricist, and not mentioned the singers. Because, well, the above mentioned three people have sung it. I am playing this song on full volume the next time I hit the highway with my friends.
21. CHAIYAAN MEIN SAIYAAN KI (KHUDA HAFIZ CHAPTER 2)
(Mithoon, Asees Kaur, Jubin Nautiyal, Keshav Anand)
Composed and written by Mithoon, this is another sukoon-inducing song with lovely singing.
22. HARI HAR (SAMRAT PRITHVIRAJ)
(Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Varun Grover, Adarsh Shinde and chorus)
The reason why I selected this song for this list was the sheer goosebumps I get even today after multiple listenings. Varun Grover's lyrics are brilliant. The singing by Adarsh Shinde along with a number of chorus singers is amazing. SEL are masters when it comes to creating such anthemic numbers. This is one song I love listening to at loud volume.
23. KITNI HASEEN HOGI (HIT – THE FIRST CASE)
(Mithoon, Sayeed Quadri, Arijit Singh)
Classical Mithoon stuff – hauntingly beautiful tune, good lyrics, Arijit Singh. Just close your eyes and get lost in it!
24. UDD CHALA (TOOLSIDAS JUNIOR)
(Daniel B. George, Swanand Kirkire, Sachet Tandon, Ujjwal Kashyap)
Everything about this film was simple and yet beautiful. A highly recommended film and an equally recommended melody. Swanand Kirkire's motivational words are excellent.
25. DEVA DEVA (BRAHMASTRA)
(Pritam, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Arijit Singh, Jonita Gandhi)
While the video features Ranbir running amok with fire in his hands, the song is a delighful one with an anthemic chorus, lovely singing and great writing.
26. SHAAMAT (EK VILLAIN RETURNS)
(Ankit Tiwari, Prince Dubey, Tara Sutaria)
The real hero of this song is Tara Sutaria. She needs to sing more.
27. SUNO JAANEJAAN (MONICA O MY DARLING)
(Achint Thakkar, Varun Grover, Saud Khan)
How awesome and to-the-point Varun Grover's lyrics are in this song, one realizes after seeing the placement of this song in the film. A brilliantly done retro song, this!
28. DHEERE DHEERE SEEKH JAAUNGA (JAYESHBHAI JORDAAR)
(Vishal-Shekhar, Jaideep Sahni, Priya Saraiya)
Vishal and Shekhar are at their simplistic best here as they create a lovely, hummable and foot tapping song. Jaideep Sahni's lyrics are simple and effective, and proof that we deserve much more of him. Who else but Priya Saraiya for the Gujarati portions. I don't understand why a fabulous singer like Shekhar Ravjiani needs to modulate/tweak his voice. Had he not done so, the song would have been even better. I noticed Shekhar did the same even in 1 song from "Vikram Vedha" titled "O Saahiba".
29. JEENA HOGA (MILI)
(A.R Rahman, Javed Akhtar, Vishal Mishra)
Composed by the maestro, this was the only memorable song from an otherwise lukewarm album. However this song alone proves why Rahman is still the best. A highly complex composition, Rahman composes this in a crescendo manner and Vishal Mishra's husky voice is just perfect. The song is meant to create a sense of hope amidst a tense atmosphere in the movie, and it very successfully manages to achieve it.
Off late, ARR has seemed to make it a habit to create such complex compositions which require extremely good versatile singers to pull it off. "Humnava" from "99 Songs" is a similar song in terms of composition, where the song changes scale and ragas multiple times.
30. KHALIPAN (DR ARORA)
(Niladri Kumar, Irshad Kamil, Abhay Jodhpurkar, Meenal Jain)
Composed by the extremely talented Niladri Kumar and his "Zitar", this is a less heard gem from an OTT web show that managed to grab few eyeballs despite being a good show. Meenal Jain and Abhay Jodhpurkar elevate it further with their melodious singing. This song is a classic case of a good song gone unnoticed from a web series.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS OF OTHER MISCELLANEOUS MUSIC I HEARD IN 2022
1. SUKOON BY SANJAY LEELA BHANSALI
I had been waiting since many years for SLB to release a full fledged isolated music album. And I was rewarded with a bonus of sorts. This album is a pure gem especially for ghazal lovers. It has such an impressive ensemble of singers that SLB wins half the battle right there. Special mention to Pratibha Singh Baghel who I have been following since quite some time, and who is mighty impressive with her strong command over classical music.
2. AUM MANGALAM SINGLEM (GUJARATI) BY SACHIN – JIGAR
Sachin – Jigar were, are and will remain the undisputed kings as far as Gujarati film music is concerned. After their previous dhamaakedar alliance with the same team of actors and director in "Love ni Bhavai", they come up with yet another amazing album with lots of things to love, hummable tunes, lovely singing, and Niren Bhatt's beautiful words. However, was I the only one who felt "Sahiyar" sounded like "Khalbali" at places?
3. CHANDALIYO UGYO RE (NAADI DOSH) (GUJARATI)
What's a Gujarati film without Garba? Aishwarya Majumdar does the honours by giving us the finest Garbo in Gujarati films since Sachin-Jigar gave us "Gori Radha ne Kalo Kaan".
4. JADU SALONA BY AMIT TRIVEDI
5. MERE DHOLNA (FAN EDIT) (BHOOL BHULAIYAA 2)
This song isn't officially available I guess, but it is available on youtube. It is basically Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh's voices put together. And trust me – it is brilliant!
6. VHALAM JAO NE (GUJARATI) BY SACHIN – JIGAR
This is another short yet fun album by Sachin-Jigar. Do give it a listen!
I haven't included songs from South-Indian films in the above lists, however there are a couple of songs whose hindi versions were equally good and worth mentioning in this list –
1. VARAHA ROOPAM (KANTARA)
Well technically, this song is retained as it is in the original album. However I had to mention it. Also, without getting into the controversy of the composers of this song, the other version of this song which was added in the OTT versions is not as effective as the original.
2. FALAK TU (K.G.F CHAPTER 2)
3. NAACHO NAACHO (RRR)
4. TOOFAN (K.G.F CHAPTER 2)
I love the way this song starts – with that dialogue by that old man. It is simply amazing.
5. CHOLA CHOLA (PS - 1)
Only Rahman can give us such melodious interludes which are individual new tunes in themselves.
6. AMBAR SE TODA (RRR)
A song which wasn't in the official OST but released later, special mention to Gujarati girl Raag Patel who has sung this.
7. THE ENTIRE HINDI VERSION ALBUM OF SITA RAMAM
8. BANDE (VIKRAM VEDHA)
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