Remembering Yash Chopra on his birthday: Top 5 songs
He would have been 81 today but sadly, Indian cinema lost this legend last year in October. Yash Chopra’s first birth anniversary since his sad death calls for a special tribute and BizAsia want to give a little reminder of his magic. His directorial projects always carried his famous stamp but today we are looking back at the top five songs which so clearly have Yashji written all over them. The white sarees, the beautiful Switzerland landscape and the romance. It is the legacy he has given Bollywood and long may it live in our memories. Here goes the five best songs that depict to a tee his unforgettable style.
1981’s ‘Silsila’ was a film which many will remember for its romance and love. It portrayed the kind of love that overwhelms and gives immense happiness. The song Dekha Ek Khwab is epitome of a Chopra classic and why not when it has all the ingredients this list needs to tick off: picturesque outdoor atmosphere, beautiful lyrics and a sizzling pairing in the shape of Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha to top it off.
Bachchan has done a fair number of films under Chopra’s guidance and our second choice is from a film which he featured in, ‘Kabhi Kabhie’ (1976). The song in question is the male version which is picturised on the much in love couple Bachchan and Raakhee. Sitting embraced under a tree and surrounded by snow, Bachchan sings his heart out telling his ladylove that she is made for him. Now that’s romance Chopra style for sure!
Tere mere hoton pe meethe meethe geet mitwa… It’s the greenery and the colours worn by both Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor who feature in this song from 1989’s ‘Chandni’ that make this song special. And who can falter the lyrics? If this one doesn’t get you all mesmerised and swaying side by side then we don’t know what will. Romance in the way Chopra knows best in the midst of what turns out to be a tragic love story.
Last year saw the release of ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ but there was a bittersweet feel because it was to be Chopra’s final directorial. However, emotions were heightened when Chopra passed away before the film released. The song from the movie which has his stamp all over it is Saans. The lyrics are as beautiful as ever and Katrina Kaif and Shah Rukh Khan come across as a couple drawn to each other. Topped but a London backdrop, there is only one word for it: Perfection!
‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ (1997) will always be special because it marked the first self-proclaimed musical of Bollywood. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Karisma Kapoor in the main roles, the film surrounded the theme of soulmates. What better way to further enhance that then with the song Dholna which is part of a dream sequence. Once again, green grass, Dixit in sexy but elegant attire and Khan at his flirty and mischievous best. Chopra knew this type of song like the back of his hand.
A special mention is deserved for Kabhi Main Kahu from ‘Lamhe’ (1991) and also the very many songs of ‘Veer-Zaara’ (2004).
Chopra’s style and the way he depicted his heroines pretty much made him stand out in Indian cinema. Many actresses who hadn’t had the chance to work with the filmmaker somewhere always carried the desire to do so and it was believed that noone could portray the beauty of woman quite in the way he did. The same goes for romance. BizAsia would like to wish the legendary filmmaker a very happy 81st birthday… wherever he is. Forever in our hearts.
