Aug 14 2016

Birthday special: A dozen dazzling tracks by Sunidhi Chauhan

by   Mayur Lookhar

A reality television show discovery, Sunidhi Chauhan is among the finest playback singers of our times. Her powerful voice makes her the go-to singer for rollicking dance numbers, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t crooned romantic numbers. As the singer turns a year older today, we reminisce a dozen of her most dazzling chartbusters.

1 Lucky Boy – Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)

A rollicking pop number from Vishal-Shekhar, 'Lucky Boy' had men jumping with joy like little boys, blown away by Bipasha’s beauty and the sensual voice of Sunidhi Chauhan. Some rate this as Chauhan's finest performances.

2 Sheila Ki Jawani – Tees Maar Khan (2010)

A landmark in Katrina Kaif's career as Farah Khan brought out not just the sexy diva, but also exotic dance moves Kaif is capable of. Narcissism never looked so good as Kaif sizzled in 'Sheila Ki Jawani' from Tees Maar Khan. But Sheila's jawani would have been hollow without the sexy voice of Sunidhi Chauhan.

3 Beedi – Omkara (2006)

Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukwinder Singh — two powerful voices that blow through the rooftop. Chauhan's voice went perfectly well with Bipasha Basu in this track. 'Beedi' from Omkara left the nation with that sweet burning sensation in the heart.

4 Shut up and bounce – Dostana (2008)

Music that would remind you of the disco era, but still has a tinge of contemporary glamour is what Vishal-Shekar are known for. To make this possible, they often prefer Sunidhi Chauhan. If you're able to take your eyes off John Abraham and Shilpa Shetty flaunting well-toned bodies in the video, the disco beat is most likely to make you bounce.
 

5 Hey Shona — Tara Rum Pum (2007)

Though largely seen as the queen of the Bollywood pop, Sunidhi Chauhan dropped a timely reminder that she could effortlessly belt out a romantic number with 'Hey Shona' from Tara Rum Pum. With Shaan's melodious voice for company, the track has come to be counted among the finer romance tracks in modern day Bollywood. 

6 Dekh le – Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003)

Apart from Munna Bhai’s wisdom, the ailing patients from Munna Bhai M.B.B.S were also healed by Sunidhi Chauhan’s Dekh Le track. The original was good, but it was this remix that drew people to the dance floor to dekh for themselves what the fuss was about. 

7 Mission Kashmir – Bumbro (2000)

There’s more to Kashmir than pellets and guns. Though not quite Kashmiri folk, Shankar Ehsaan Loy doled out a Kashmiri beat bursting through the Bumbro song from Mission Kashmir.

8 Kamli — Dhoom 3 (2013)

It's easy to get lost in the acrobatic and seductive dance-cum-striptease act of Katrina Kaif in this song. However, those inclined to music will vouch for the fact that Sunidhi Chauhan had upped her own game in 'Kamli'. Effortlessly moving between voice ranges, Chauhan made quite a noticeable impact despite the all the gravity-defying goings-on in the picturisation. The Punjabi touch added a raw appeal to the otherwise stylistic singing. 

9 Deedar De – Dus (2005)

This is not a song but a rhythm, one that traverses from Arabia to India. The Arabic beat blowing through the shehnai melts into the Indian tabla beat so beautifully. Not just the music, but the choreography too was both Middle Eastern and contemporary. Play this track anywhere in the world and one will say, ‘Deedar De’.

10 Dekho na – Fanaa (2006)

Great music, lyrics a poetry and above all divine singing by Sunidhi Chauhan and Sonu Nigam. The 'Dekho Na' track is arguably the finest romantic number by Chauhan. Such was the power of Nigam and Chauhan’s voices that even the heavens opened up. 

11  Dilliwali Girlfriend — Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2012)

A raucous dance number, one filled with Punjabi beats as Ranbir Kapoor’s character ditches his Dilliwali Girlfriend for Deepika Padukone. Be it parties, birthdays or weddings, this Arijit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan track is one for all occasions.
 

12 Crazy Kiya Re – Dhoom 2 (2006)

Sunidhi Chauhan is the voice of all the sexy dance tracks of the Dhoom franchise. The first one had 'Dhoom Machale', while the second saw Chauhan croon 'Crazy Kiye Re'. The latter is remembered for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's dance moves and of course Chauhan's voice that added some seriousness to Aishwarya's 'crazy'ness.