Bollywood movies may be known for their dance moves and internationally known stars, but if there is one element everyone should leave the movie thinking about, besides the plot, it’s the music. A Bollywood soundtrack can be the music of nostalgia, childhood, and memories, for many South Asians around the world, the literal representation of a period of someone’s life. The first Hindi songs were implemented at the same time sound was introduced in Indian movies in the 1930s, and it has been a staple in the genre ever since then. Whether pop or sung in a traditional ghazal, music has become its mode of storytelling when paired with film in the Bollywood context.
The music in Hindi films is intended to be danced along with, as they are paired with dance scenes in the movie, and because they are not implemented into the plot like in Western musicals, it is not out of place to hear these songs during everyday life. For those coming of age during the 2000s, soundtracks during that decade were particularly good in the biggest movies of the era. They’ve withstood the test of time, becoming hits on the radio still today. These are the best Bollywood movie soundtracks of the 2000s ranked.
12 Delhi-6
Delhi-6 came out in 2009, and it tells the story of a man who returns to India after living overseas. When he is randomly attacked by the Monkey Man of Delhi, he begins to grapple with the fact that he is disconnected from his homeland and the people who live there. Over the years, the movie’s soundtrack has become celebrated, and the lyrics were written by Prasoon Joshi, a well-known poet and lyricist in India. Several songs from the soundtrack, including “Masakali” and “Rehna Tu,” have come to define the film’s legacy.
11 Lucky: No Time For Love
Released in 2005, Lucky: No Time For Love was one of the highest-selling soundtracks the year the movie came out. The movie takes place in Russia amid war, and the daughter of the Indian Ambassador's employee lives in Russia. After an attempted rape, she hides in a car and its owner, another young Indian, drives off with her in it. They get caught up in local violence, falling in love in the process. The soundtrack, featuring Sonu Nigam and Adnan Sami, among many others, sets the mood and tone of the movie perfectly.
10 Aashiq Banaya Aapne
A romantic thriller, Aashiq Banaya Aapne takes the concept and trope of a love triangle and elevates it to the next level. The main character, Sneha, is stuck metaphorically between the affections of two men. One, Karan, has been too shy to admit his feelings for her, but the other, Vikram, is her childhood friend and is willing to sweep her off her feet. Drama ensues, amping up the romance and thriller elements in the film. Lyrics for the soundtrack were written by Sameer Anjaan, who holds the world record for most songs written, and the movie is the debut of singer Himesh Reshammiya in Bollywood.
9 Main Hoon Na
A masala film that blends multiple different genres, 2004’s Main Hoon Na stars Shah Rukh Khan and Sushmita Sen in the leading roles. Under the context of a prisoner exchange swap between Pakistan and India, a Brigadier is shot at the press conference. His dying wish told to his son (Khan), is that he wants a reconciliation in the family. He is then sent to Darjeeling on a mission, where he falls in love with his charge’s chemistry teacher. The film’s soundtrack won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director due to its popularity, as it was one of the most-sold soundtracks of 2004.
8 Kaho Naa… Pyar Hai
Released in 2000, Kaho Naa Pyar Hai was the debut of actor Hrithik Roshan, who was cast in the movie because his father, Rakesh Roshan, was the director and producer of the film. Hrithik Roshan co-stars with Ameesha Patel. He portrays Rohit, an orphan who, along with his younger brother, is trying to survive. When he falls in love with the daughter of a wealthy family, it leads to his eventual death, but, in a twist of fate, she later runs into the son of a wealthy businessman who looks like him. Kaho Naa Pyar Hai’s soundtrack was a smash hit upon release and was one of the top-selling soundtracks of the decade.
7 Kal Ho Naa Ho
Shah Rukh Khan, Jaya Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, and Preity Zinta all-star in Kal Ho Naa Ho, which was released in theaters in 2003. Originally set in New York City, it follows an MBA student, Naina (Zinta), whose mother runs a cafe. Grieving the loss of her father, things start to change for her when a young man moves in next door, and the two begin warming up to each other. Jatin-Lalit were the music directors, and the soundtrack was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The music was inspired by several Western songs, matching its location in New York, synthesizing Indian and American elements.
6 Lagaan
2001’s Lagaan might’ve become an iconic film of the decade on its own, but the epic, which starred Aamir Khan, has quite the grand soundtrack to match the plot. Set during the British Raj of colonial Indian history, a village in Central India learns how to play cricket to beat the British at their own game. Khan portrays the team’s captain, who, if the team loses, must partially assume responsibility for the consequences of losing the game. There are six songs throughout the film, and many assume this soundtrack is A.R. Rahman’s best work to date.
5 Dil Chahta Hai
Dil Chahta Hai, like many other movies with excellent soundtracks, came out in 2001. The comedy-drama stars Aamir Khan, Akshaye Khanna, and Saif Ali Khan in the leading roles. Together, they portray three friends that have recently graduated from college and are dealing with what it means to not only move away to a foreign country but be an adult as well. Trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy were the music directors behind the movie’s soundtrack, and director Farhan Akhtar’s father, Javed Akhtar, was the mastermind behind the lyrics. Since its release, the soundtrack has become widely celebrated.
4 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Upon release in 2006, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna was one of the highest-grossing Bollywood movies of the year and was immensely popular overseas too. Set in New York City, it stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, and Kirron Kher as a group of friends learning to cope with marriage, health, infertility, and infidelity. The soundtrack’s title song “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” is one of the biggest songs from the movie, as well as Shafqat Amanat Ali’s “Mitwa.” The film’s soundtrack is quite distinctive, despite it being another Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy movie set in New York.
3 Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…
2001’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... came with fanfare, as its ensemble cast made waves with the sheer amount of drama. Like many Korean dramas that deal with these subjects, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham… focuses on a millionaire family that is internally falling apart. When one of the adopted sons marries a girl from a lower social class, it creates major scandal and ripples. The soundtrack sold 2.5 million copies in a month, a testament to how beloved it had become with fans all across India. Sameer Anjaan wrote the lyrics for all the songs in the movie.
2 Refugee
The debut of actors Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor, 2000’s Refugee is a romantic drama set after the Partition of India in 1947 and the Bangladesh War in 1971. Two brothers who immigrated to East Pakistan, now Bangladesh, find themselves forced to leave after Bangladesh becomes independent of Pakistan. They have to migrate to India and to do so, they will have to travel by foot. They are helped by a man simply known as Refugee, who is emotionally unavailable until he falls in love with a girl with them. With the movie’s serious subjects, the soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly.
1 Om Shanti Om
Om Shanti Om, which is an epic tale of revenge and romance in Bollywood, is a masala film that plays homage to many Bollywood movies in the past decades. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone, it tells the story of an aspiring actor who falls in love with a top actress–but when he plays witness to her murder, leading to his death, he is reincarnated and remembers his lost love. The soundtrack of Om Shanti Om is one of the most iconic of the decade, hitting all the sweet spots for Bollywood lovers and new fans alike.
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