1 Chaiyya Chaiyya - Dil Se (1998)
A track taken too literally as Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora danced atop a steaming rail while Gulzar laid down the melodious track with AR Rahman setting the boisterous wheels in motion. But it was the uncut diamond Sukhwinder Singh who ignited the coal engine making Chaiyya Chaiyya a lyrical joyride.
2 Ni Main Samajh Gayi – Taal (1998)
Subhash Ghai’s musical extravaganza, Taal, produced many a great compositions, but there was something very magnetic about the Ni Main Samajh Gayi track that was penned by Anand Bakshi. Though Richa Sharma’s powerful voice resonated through the universe, Sukhwinder Singh’s mellifluous tone gave it the earthly touch. It was like fire (Sharma) meeting ice (Singh).
3 Ruth Aa Gayi Re – 1947: Earth (1998)
The Rahman-Singh combination had earlier unearthed gems like Taal and Dil Se. Javed Akhtar joined the duo penning a memorable track wih Ruth Aa Gayi Re in Deepa Mehta’s 1947: Earth. The opening music slightly reminded you of Michael Jackson’s 'They Don’t Care About Us', but Ruth Aa Gayi Re had a charm of its own.
4 Chal Chal – Astitva (2000)
Mahesh Manjrekar’s Astitva was a tale of an infidel. Well, which damsel in distress wouldn’t fall prey to the charming and potent voice of Sukhwinder Singh.
5 Rabba Rabba – Aks (2001)
Amitabh Bachchan, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra and Manoj Bajpayee would like to forget Aks as a nightmare. One thing memorable about this psychological thriller was the hypnotic Rabba Rabba track. Vasundhra Das’ eyes and voice, match beautifully to the transient tone of Singh.
6 Jaan Leva Remix – Moksha (2001)
Usually remixes destroy the beauty of the original, but this was a rare occasion where a remix outnumbered the original. There was almost a sense of anger in Singh’s voice when he says, “Teri har ada, teri har ada." Singh had never evoked this feeling in any song before.
7 Chinnamma Chilakamma – Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004)
The song title will perhaps make you think that this is a south Indian film, but this actually comes from a Hindi movie. Late painter MF Hussain painted another poor directorial in Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities. The only thing beautiful about the film was the Chinnamma Chilakamma track, courtesy Sukhwinder Singh.
8 Beedi – Omkara (2006)
It’s hard not to take your eyes of the sizzling Bipasha Basu, for she is the pivot around which Vivek Oberoi and the other desperadoes revolve. Arguably, Sunidhi’s Chauhan best song, but those who have a ear for good music will marvel at the shivering tone of Sukhwinder Singh. Go light your beedi.
9 Dil Haara – Tashan (2008)
Madness, rock and roll, and even poetry - such tracks are seldom created in Hindi cinema. Well, that only happens when Vishal-Shekhar join forces with Sukhwinder Singh. The Dil Haara track spread like fire, the only disappointing part was Saif Ali Khan’s wayward dancing.
10 Haule Haule– Rab Ne Bana D Jodi (2008)
True that Singh had given us a national sports anthem with Chak De India, but perhaps Shah Rukh Khan himself must be proud of Singh’s rendition of the humble Haule Haule track that struck a chord with every Surinder Sahni.
11 Bhawra Aaya Re – Kaminey (2008)
Sukhwinder Singh and Kailash Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj brought two of the most versatile voices together. Apart from being a rollicking track, Fatak was primarily a lyrical awareness against aids.
12 Hud Hud Dabangg – Dabangg (2010)
The dare devilry of this track was reminiscent of the Omkara titular track, but Vishal Bhardway didn’t have the Dabangg attitude of Salman Khan. Singh’s voice modulation to suit the swagger of Chulbul Pandey is truly admirable.
13 Tore Bina – Kahaani (2012)
An unheralded track, one lost in the beauty and talent of Vidya Balan. There was much more to Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani than Vidya Bagchi’s revenge plot. The Tore Bina track typified Vidya Bagchi’s predicament perfectly.