Bollywood songs have consistently generated some of the most memorable and catchy musical compositions. In addition to being well-liked in India, these songs have had a big impact on the world music scene. Hollywood frequently incorporates these recognisable songs into their movies. Hollywood films have included Bollywood songs in a variety of ways, from upbeat and energising to profound and sad, creating a unique blend of east and west.
Take a look at a few of these instances:
Jaan Pehchan Ho in the Ghost World
In the black comedy-drama Ghost World, starring Thora Birch and Scarlett Johansson, two teenage outcasts named Enid and Rebecca are the main characters. The movie follows their journey through adolescence’s awkwardness and the unpredictability of the future. The opening credits’ playing of Mohammed Rafi’s Jaan Pehchan Ho from the 1965 film Gumnaam ignites the film’s independent spirit. The scene from the famous Bollywood film then pans to a series of American apartments inhabited by various families. By the time the song is finished, we can see that Enid is dancing to its upbeat beat and memorable lyrics while it is playing on her TV.
Chamma Chamma in Moulin RougeThe 2001 Hollywood musical film Moulin Rouge! includes a remix of the well-known Bollywood song Chamma Chamma. Ewan McGregor plays a young writer who falls in love with Nicole Kidman, the top performer at the Moulin Rouge cabaret, in the film. It is also famous for its incorporation of popular songs from multiple eras, such as Madonna’s Like a Virgin and Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Anu Malik originally composed Chamma Chamma, which Alka Yagnik sang in the Hindi film China Gate (1998). The song is performed on stage at the cabaret by the character Nini Legs in the Air in the film Moulin Rouge! The song highlights Nini’s talent for exotic dancing while also bringing a hint of Bollywood glitz to the overall musical spectacle of the movie. The Chamma Chamma in Moulin Rouge! remix keeps the song’s memorable chorus and iconic hook while adding more English lyrics and a more modern sound.
The Bombay theme in Lord of War
One of the most well-known Bollywood composers, A. R. Rahman, is the artist behind the song Bombay Theme, one of the most cherished Bollywood tunes. Later, the song was included in Nicolas Cage’s 2005 crime drama Lord of War, which is set in Russia and features Yuri Orlov. The song is performed in the movie during a scenario where Yuri is restrained in front of a 40-tonne cargo jet. In a time-lapse scene, the villagers use up the entirety of the aircraft’s supplies as Yuri speaks over Rahman’s classical piece. The use of the Bombay Theme in Lord of War highlights Rahman’s music’s universal appeal and its capacity to transcend cultural borders.
Chaiyya Chaiyya in Inside ManOne of the most well-known Bollywood songs of all time, Chaiyya Chaiyya, is from the hit film Dil Se (1998). When it appeared in the 2006 American heist thriller Inside Man, it soon became a cultural phenomenon and attracted attention on a global scale. Hall of Fame actors Clive Owen and Denzel Washington appear in it. The usage of Chaiyya Chaiyya throughout the opening and closing credits surprised many fans, especially for such a well-known Hollywood production.
Urvasi Urvasi in Lion
With Dev Patel’s 2016 drama Lion, which includes the song Urvasi Urvasi, A.R. Rahman features once more on this list. Saroo Brierley, played by Dev Patel in the film, is adopted by an Australian couple after becoming lost on a train in India when he was five years old. He starts having childhood memories as an adult and searches for his birth mother and brother using Google Earth to locate the village where he was raised. Brierley and his romantic interest, Lucy (Rooney Mara), are seen walking on different sides of the street in one particular sequence in the film. The song first appeared in the Prabhu Deva and Nagma-starring Kadhalan, an action romance from 1994.
Mera Joota Hai Japani in Deadpool
This unique song from the 1951 film Awaara features vocals from the legendary performer Mukesh. The soundtrack from the 2016 superhero movie Deadpool utilised this song in one of its sequences. Mera Joota Hai Japani is playing while Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) speaks with Dopinder (Karan Soni), his cab driver.
Mundian Tu Bach Ke in The DictatorOne of the most well-known Punjabi songs of all time is perhaps Mundian Tu Bach Ke by Panjabi MC, which has been used in a number of Bollywood films. Hip-hop mogul Jay Z remixed the song in 2003, and it finally served as the background music for The Dictator movie trailer (2012). Sacha Baron Cohen plays Admiral General Aladeen, the totalitarian ruler of the made-up Republic of Wadiya, in the film. He heads to New York City to address the UN, but one of his closest advisors abandons him there. Many audiences were excited during the lead-up to the movie, as Mundian Tu Bach Ke brought the energetic vibe needed to entice viewers. The song is a staple across South Asia, the UK, and different cinematic industries.
Tere Sang Pyar Main Nahin Todna, Mera Mann Tera Pyasa, and Wada Na Tod in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Movie icons Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play Joel and Clementine in the romance-science-fiction movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). In the film, two ex-lovers have had all memories of one another surgically removed from their brains. The film’s imaginative symbolism also sticks in people’s minds. The background music of the scene includes Wada Na Tod from Dil Tujhko Diya (1987), Tere Sang Pyar Main Nahin Todna from Nagin (1976), and Mera Mann Tera Pyasa from Gambler (1971). The movie was nominated for numerous accolades and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Tere Sang Pyar Main Nahin Todna, Mera Mann Tera Pyasa, and Wada Na Tod in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Movie icons Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play Joel and Clementine in the romance-science-fiction movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). In the film, two ex-lovers have had all memories of one another surgically removed from their brains. The film’s imaginative symbolism also sticks in people’s minds. The background music of the scene includes Wada Na Tod from Dil Tujhko Diya (1987), Tere Sang Pyar Main Nahin Todna from Nagin (1976), and Mera Mann Tera Pyasa from Gambler (1971). The movie was nominated for numerous accolades and won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
