Jan 01 1970

The Beatles in Bollywood

by   Shriram Iyengar

They are the greatest rock band that ever was. In 1960, four young men from Liverpool changed the way music was played. Bollywood wasn't spared from the influence of the Fab Four. Here are some tracks that were influenced by the beats of the Beatles.​

1 Dekho ab toh (Jaanwar) - I wanna hold your hand

For Beatles fans, this one is easy to spot. From its first note, Shankar-Jaikishan's composition is a cover of 'I wanna hold your hand' by The Beatles. Shammi Kapoor goes full Elvis while in the background, Ted Lyons Band pays homage to the four hipsters who changed the world of rock music. 

2 Dil use do jo jaan de de - (Andaz)  

Shankar-Jaikishan and Shammi Kapoor at it again. This time at what we assume is a hipster party. The rhythm of the song is based on the first verse of the song 'I get by with a little help from my friends'.  Check out the El Mariachi band in the background!

3 Hum jab honge saath saal ke (Kal Aaj aur Kal, 71) 

Shankar Jaikishan have reworked more Beatles' songs than anyone else in the Hindi film industry. In the RK family classic 'Kal Aaj aur Kal', Shankar-Jaikishan lifted the tunes of 'When I am sixty four' right down to the lyrics. In another age, they'd be fighting a lawsuit! 

4 Tumne yeh theek socha hai (Imaan) 

Enter Bollywood's own rock impresario, and a self-confessed Beatles fan, RD Burman. For the Sanjeev Kumar starrer, RD Burman used the beautiful introduction of the hit 'Norwegian Wood' and created 'Tumne ye theek socha hai'. 

5 Paagalpan chaa gaya (Jaanam)

Rahul Roy, Pooja Bhatt and Anu Malik. Nuff' said! This forgotten little number is an eccentric take on the Beatles' classic 'And I Love Her'. Anu Malik has some infamous numbers to his name, but this sacrilegious take on a Beatles' classic ranks among the top. 

6 Jaane bhi de sanam mujhe (Around The World)

If you can take your eyes off Raj Kapoor in the leather jacket, you will hear the familiar tunes within this Shankar-Jaikishan(again) composition. The time they picked the Beatles' 'I'll Get You' from their 1963 album 'She Loves You'. The film, and the song, are only familiar to trivia lovers and hardcore Bollywood fans.