1 Tu kaun hai (Bhopal Express, 1999)
His musical debut in Hindi cinema was in a little known, but vastly underrated film on the Bhopal gas tragedy. A philosophical question, the song raises the question of existence and identity through a beautiful melody.
2 Ek pal ka jeena (Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai, 2001)
This song literally launched a superstar. Hrithik Roshan's muscular debut in Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai began a mania surrounding the young actor. The mania increased with the release of the video for 'Ek pal ka jeena'. Roshan's moves might have stolen the spotlight, but Ali's fantastic voice stood out too.
3 Jaane kya dhoondhta hai (Sur: The Melody of Life, 2002)
Apart from being a good musician, Ali was also a fairly decent actor. This Tanuja Chandra-directed film had him playing a music teacher who mentors a young singer more talented than himself. The film had some splendid songs, including this one sung by the actor himself.
4 Hairat (Anjaana Anjaani, 2010)
As an avid traveller himself, Ali has worked on an oil rig, bred horses, and worked as a farmer. Little wonder that his songs manage to convey his love for travelling so effortlessly. Here's another beautiful song filled with wanderlust in the Ranbir Kapoor-Priyanka Chopra-starrer, Anjaana Anjaani. The vibe, energy and freedom that Ali infuses makes it a compulsory addition to your road trip playlist.
5 Safarnama (Tamasha, 2015)
Just when you thought the singer was overtaken by new entrants like Arijit Singh, and fellow 90s pop star Mohit Chauhan, Ali's voice returned in Imtiaz Ali's Tamasha. It was apt that a film about travelling and storytelling found the right nomadic voice in Ali.