Top 5 Bollywood Songs of 2018

There’s been a dearth of truly ground-breaking songs in Hindi films this year but there have been a few standout songs that deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. These aren’t your average Sufi qawwalis, electro-trash numbers or dreary 90s covers.

5. “Binte Dil” (Padmaavat) – Arijit Singh

It’s typically the more upbeat numbers in Bhansaali’s films that stand out (think Nagada Sang Dhol, Pinga and Dolo Re) but in Padmavaat’s case, it was Binte Dil, an Arab-tinged slow-burner sung with incredible verve by Arijit Singh, that shined.

4. “Dhyaanchand” (Manmarziyan) – Amit Trivedi 

Leave it to a musical wunderkind like Amit Trivedi (Udta Punjab, Queen) to make Punjabi bhangra even more fun and hedonistic than it already is.

3. “Tareefan” (Veere Di Wedding) – Qaran ft. Badshah

A welcome respite from the monotonous EDM that has littered the Hindi airwaves in recent years, Tareefan owes its deeply sensual sound to the burgeoning Puerto Rican trap scene and artists like Bad Bunny and Annuel AA.

2. “Labbon Se Chukkar” (Sacred Games) – Jyotica Tangri

A finger-snapping, Studio 54-channeling disco strut swathed in percolating synths and robust vocals. You’ll keep smashing replay on this one.

1. “Saansein” (Karwaan) – Prateek Kuhad

If you get a visceral reaction from a song, then chances are it’s a great song. Saansein is that kind of song – in fact, it’s the only Bollywood song this year that stopped me cold. I found myself instantly enveloped by singer-songwriter, Prateek Kuhad’s pained, warm voice which is juxtaposed beautifully here with evening piano chords.

ARTWORK BY RACHNA RAVI