1 Mach Gaya Shor – Khud-Daar (1982)
A classic composition by Rajesh Roshan with the magical mythological lyrics penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Arguably the most rollicking Janmashtami track in Hindi cinema, Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar crooned 'Mach Gaya Shor' which is often the first track that is blasted across Govinda celebrations. And of course, it starred Uttar Pradesh's most famous son, Amitabh Bachchan.
2 Govinda Aala Re Aala – Bluff Master (1963)
Shot in black and white, the viewers lost out on the colours of Janmashtami celebrations, but Shammi Kapoor’s childlike madness won over all. Mohammad Rafi once again showed that no matter which festival, he was game to sing any track.
3 Ja Re O Makhan Chor – Champakali (1957)
Much before he sang 'Govinda Aala Re', Mohammad Rafi lent his voice to 'Ja Re Makhan Chor' from the Bharat Bhushan and Suchitra Sen-starrer classic Champakali. Though, there’s no Janmashtami celebration here, this track paid tribute the great bond of Radha and Krishna.
4 Bada Natkhat Hai – Amar Prem (1972)
Radha looking for her little Krishna in the house is the proverbial premise of Janmashtami and a classic mythological sequence that's been played million times in plays and movies. Anand Bakshi penned a simple yet lyrical melody that typified the Radha-looking-for-Krishna theme.
5 Shor Mach Gaya Shor – Badla (1974)
Bhagwan Dada had helmed a film of the same title in 1943, but 34 years later, he returned as an actor in the Shatrughan Sinha-starrer Badla. The late great displayed his traditional dance moves in this Laxmikant-Pyarelal track. Sinha was projected as the makhan chor, but do watch out for the moves by noted henchman MacMohan.
6 Satakli – Happy New Year (2014)
Traditionalists may have been left shocked with this haywire track from Happy New Year. Save for a fleeting mention of Radhey Radhey… Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki, Satakli track has no correlation to Janmashtami, nevertheless, here was a track from a multi-starrer masala film which always had its audience.
7 Go Go Govinda – Oh My God (2012)
With modern beats and choreography, dance god Prabhudeva and Sonakshi Sinha doled out a new-age Govinda dance anthem in the popular Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal film, Oh My God. Perhaps, this is the most popular Govinda track among the kids today.
8 Har Taraf Hai Ye Shor – Vaastav (1999)
Shor and chor formed the basic tenets of all Janmashtami tracks in Hindi cinema. Vinod Rathod and Atul Kale added the local Maharashtrian flavour that beats through the humble bylanes of Mumbai. 'Har Taraf Hai Ye Shor' is also rare track where Sanjay Dutt looked great while dancing.