Bollywood Top 20- Year 2022- An analysis

Introduction

During the pandemic years, we did not write the year-end analysis of Bollywood music. Briefly, last year mid-June we wrote a short update on the trends for the half year 2022; India’s top 10 music chart- July 2022 July 17, 2022. Years earlier we had opinions written about the trends; please do read our predictions there about Tanishk Bagchi and Pritam Chakraborty as the most influential music directors to watch in the coming years. Hindi Bollywood music 2019- Influences July 25, 2020, Young and Happening in Bollywood April 9, 2019.

In 2022 Bollywood movie and music industries jumped back to a big leap with the audience going back in large numbers to watch their favorite stars on big screens. They are also hooked onto online music playing on Spotify and YouTube and other music online streaming services. The following analysis and opinion piece is written after many analyses appeared in January 2023, including MTV hindi countdowns. We did our due diligence not to be carried away by the popular trends and prejudices out there, but to stick with the quality of the music made in the last year. We are going through a lot of songs here and trying to be as critical as possible with how music directors made challenging quality music and lyricists tried to bring great content through music.

Traditionally Bollywood music industry depends on the shoulders of many legendary music directors, singers, and lyricists. Thank almighty, that a few names in that talent bunch are still alive. A big loss in Bollywood music last year was the passing of Lata Mangeshkar. A voice that carried generations of music lovers through their imaginations of many splendid characters on screen. She still and will live in the hearts of all music lovers despite her passing. This opinion piece is dedicated to the memory of Lata Didi.

In the last year, the overall quality of music has been average. The taste of the average listener went from slow melodies to some hook-up lines with a catchy tune attached or a rhythm that makes one feel like getting on a dance floor and moving with the music. There are many exceptions to this; Anvita data’s movie ‘Quala‘ is an example produced by online streaming services like Netflix. The music director Amit Trivedi did an amazing job with songs Biker ne ka mujko, Phero na najariya and Gode per sawar. All the songs have very high-quality lyrics written by (Amitabh Bhattacharya, Swanand Kirkire, Varun Grover, and Kausar Munir). None of these songs made it to the top. The female singer Sireesha Bhagavatula is a very noticeable pick by the music director for this entire album.

The same is the case with Lal Singh Chadda’s songs, Mein ki Karan, Tere Hawale, and song from the movie Darlings, La Ilaj, music by Vishal Bhardwaj. A singer who did not do well as predicted is Arman Malik with no good songs last year is very noticeable showing a lot of vulnerability of the singer’s credibility. There are a few new voices that made it to the top twenty songs, and we will discuss them as we go one by one.

The year 2021 had seen a few songs that we want to mention here. Number one is Javed Ali’s Srivalli released in 2021 December from the movie Pushpa, was a beautiful song that went viral. Second is Shreya Ghoshal’s Param Sundari and A.R. Rahmans’ genius music direction for the movie Mimi. The Chaka Chak song by ARR again from the movie Atrangi Re and sung brilliantly by Shreya Ghoshal deserves a big mention in the months of December 2021. These were phenomenal, musically rich, and at the same time aimed at the mass audience appeal. Now here are the top twenty songs from Bollywood movies that made listeners listen millions of times over online streaming services. There is no other measure needed than the counts of these streaming services for finding the top influencers in the industry.

Position One

It is no doubt that Coke Studio productions are amazingly captivating in their musicality and over the years have made top-notch music and made fans with no boundaries. Last year Pasoori from Coke Studios took India’s music listeners by storm. Among some of the most popular songs like Ranjish hi sahi on Coke studio is also sung by none other than Ali Sethi. Ali was born in Lahore to prominent journalists and publishers Najam Sethi and Jugnu Mohsin. A childhood where his parents both were more like activists and Ali a queer himself, started his life as a writer after graduating from Harvard in South Asian Studies. There is a lot written about the lyrics of this song and talked about by Ali himself through some interviews. The chorus, “My love, don’t let this distance reign”, is not a cliche line that says, ‘love will win over all differences’, rather it is more in its meaning in many of its hidden or not said meanings. Ali says it says a lot about how we all bravely embrace one’s identities. Shae Gill, her voice and singing style are being discussed among the musicians. Musically, she is compared to the great ‘Abida Parveen’; her voice sure made a mark at this time, and she is a great promising voice that is looking to become a great musician. Ali established himself with this song as a music producer who can beat all the Bollywood music and for the first time in history, an independent song came to the top for an entire year. Ali says in a BBC interview that he already had recorded more songs with her as a partner. Ali is a musician who made many ghazals and Sufi songs in his voice through Coke studio

Position Two

2022 was the year of music director Pritam Chakraborty. His songs for the movie ‘Brahmastra’ starring the most happening couple in Bollywood Mr. Ranbir Kapoor and Miss. Alia Bhatt was a highly anticipated production. Pritam’s favorite singer of choice, Arijit Singh who already made a clear identity in India’s music industry with his ability to bring a different level of melody (especially male singers singing in scales like G#) that is extremely hard to replace in the industry. It is the combination of Pritam’s music and Arijit’s melodious singing that makes this song a clear winner. A lot of practice of classical singing and training of one’s vocal cords let a singer hit those notes in shruti. And that is what we all are witnessing with Arijit and Sid Sriram. Sid sang the Tamil and Telugu versions of the “Kesariya”, which are made in incredibly high scale and thus bring a different level of male singing that not the movie industry had seen before.

Pritam da and his genius music direction are absolutely captured beautifully on screen by the adorable Ranbir and Aaliyah. The lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya writes……

“Kesariya Tera Ishq Hai Piya
Rang Jaaun Jo Main Hath Lagaun”

and later in the song

“Patjhad Ke Mausam Mein Bhi
Rangi Chanaron Jaisi
Jhanke Sannnaton Mein Tu
Veena Ke Taaron Jaisi”

Music lovers were eagerly waiting after the release of a teaser of the first four lines of the song. When the full song was released, it did not disappoint a bit. This song’s lyrics are pure poetry at it’s best. A superbly made song in the voice of Arijit Singh. A lot to talk about.

Read Full Lyrics at iLyricsHub: https://www.ilyricshub.com/kesariya-brahmastra/

Position Three

A sequel to a successful horror movie of the same name. A disaster especially due to a horribly pathetic storyline and poor acting by lead Karthik Aryan. Luckily, it was saved by its catchy title song and talented music director Tanish Bagchi. Sung by a newcomer Neeraj Sridhar and the hook line of ‘Hare Rama hare Krishna’ make you want to listen to this song and there is nothing more to a highly publicized track that was released months before the movie release. Pritam gave music and Arijit sang another song in this movie is a better one; Song Name: Hum Nashe Mein Toh Nahin Singers: Arijit Singh & Tulsi Kumar Music: Pritam Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya

Position Four

‘Naacho-Naacho‘, from RRR, is a splendid movie extravaganza that only movie director Raja Mouli sir can achieve. Telugu’s industry was blessed by music director Keeravani sir for many years. Whenever he gave music in Hindi movies it is always noticed. MM Keeravani now the recognition as the very first music director from India finally won a Gloden Globe award for this song. Even before this song was famous and was a favorite to viewers since the RRR movie hit the screen. Rahul Sipligunj is a Telugu singer and YouTuber and Vishal Mishra brings a nice combination of voices that is nothing out of ordinary. It is one of those popular beats and a lyric that describes the situation based on the movie story.

Position Five

‘Manike Mage Hithe’ the song is a child of the Pandemic and another YouTuber’s success story. No one had heard of a Sri Lankan singer Yohani, before. The song hit YouTube and in the first month itself, it hit 190 million. Thus, the world knows Yohani as a YouTube rapper from Sri Lanka. Her earlier popular rap hit Deviyange Bare, was already noted by music producers like Srilankan musician Chamath Sangeeth and Lyricist Dulan ARX (Dulanja Alwis) and thus born the original Manike Mage Hithe. The song is adopted in 2022 for a Bollywood movie track by Tanishk Bagchi, sung by Yohani, Jubin Nautiyal & Satheeshan. This song is extremely popular among GenX. The real success is in Yohani and her voice, which really is very raw and original. Tanishk did an awesome job by not changing the original song much and adopted and very well presented by talented actor Sidharth supported by Nora Fatehi into a huge Bollywood success as well. The song Manike is all about the thoughts of a lover who is madly in love. The beginning line “Manike Mage Hithe Muddle Nura Hangum Yawi Awilewi” roughly “Baby in my heart, every passionate thought is about you. It’s like a fire burning”. It is a GenX-pleaser lyric.

Position Six

Neeti Mohan with the song ‘Meri Jaan’ from the movie ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi‘, in the year 2022 is a winner all the way. Sanjay Leela Bhansali again proved his musical talent for music direction is also top-notch with a great musical score in this beautifully made movie. The movie is a pleasure to watch with a feeble-looking Aaliabhat transforming into a character that could not have been done better by no one else. I am a huge fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali as a filmmaker. This song, especially in this movie, is a timeless classic.

Position Seven

The look of this song is very deceptive, warn you early enough. ‘Rangisari’ is a Rajasthani folk song (a Thumri). Here music directors Kanishk Seth & Kavita Seth and sung by the same duo did a commendable job of making it into a Bollywood success.

रंगी सारी गुलाबी चुनरिया रे, मोहे मारे नजरिया सांवरिया रे

पहनी सारी गुलाबी चुनरिया, मोहे मारे नजरिया सांवरिया रे

जावो जी जावो, करो ना बतियां

अजी बाली है मोरी उमरिया रे, मोहे मारे नजरिया सांवरिया रे, रंगी सारी…

बीत चुकी है सारी रतिया, अभी लौटे नहीं हैं सांवरिया रे, मोहे मारे…

Beautifully sung by the music directors and the voice of Kavitha Seth made this song more beautiful. Do listen to the song. Kavitha Seth is a much trained Hindustani musician, who is trying to popularize the traditional folk style singing into modern times and this is a notable example India’s audience still like a very melodic rhythm of the land when presented in a new flavor.

Position Eight

Yet another remake. Noticeable is the contemporary music director Ankit Tiwari. A very average song. Nothing more to it.

Position Nine

This is the song that brings another noticeable new voice of Lothika Jha to music lovers. Nobody had heard about her before. This extremely sensual visual of Deepika Padukone and Siddhant is solely made a hit by the voice of Lothika. She is the singer to look for. The music directors OAFF (Kabeer) and Savera gave a noticeable score for this movie. You will hear more about these music directors as well in the coming years. Lothika, Kabeer, and Savera had been making music and Lothika worked in the film industry as an assistant to music directors for many years. It is her friends Kabeer and Savera that gave her this opportunity to sing the main songs in this movie. The title track Gheharaiyaan is also sung by Lothika. Both songs are very noticeable music made during last year and the people who worked behind them need big applause. These guys are to watch for the next years. Kudos.

Position Ten

Deva Deva again is from the movie Brahmastra under Pritam’s music direction and in the beautiful voice of Arijit and Jonitha Gandhi.

She sings “Ishq Humara Nahi Yeh Fitoor Hai
Rishta Puraana Koyi Toh Zaroor Hai”

Again, a higher scale singing brings a real feel to the lyrics and the visuals. Excellent job here by the music director and singers.

Read Full Lyrics at iLyricsHub: https://www.ilyricshub.com/deva-deva-brahmastra/

Position Eleven

Song CREDITS
Song Name: THE PUNJAABBAN SONG
Singers: Gippy Grewal, Zahrah S Khan, Tanishk Bagchi & Romy
Music/Lyrics – Tanishk Bagchi, Abrar Ul Haq
Programmed and Arranged – Tanishk Bagchi

Position Twelve

Recreated by: Tanishk Bagchi
Lyrics: Jaani
Singers: Harrdy Sandhu and Nikhita Gandhi
Music Supervisor – Azeem Dayani
Mixed and mastered by: Eric Pillai
Programming and arrangement by: Tanishk Bagchi

Nikitha Gandhi is the apt voice to sing this song. Hardy Sandhu made this song in 2018 as an independent single which was an amazing success in the Punjabi song charts and independent music production. Original song credits are Song: Kya Baat Ay, Artist: Harrdy Sandhu Starring: Harrdy Sandhu, Carolina Moura, Lyrics & Composition: Jaani, Music by skilled talent B Praak. The remake is very tastefully presented as well.

Position Thirteen

This movie Liger is big time saved by its music and the lead actor Vijay Devarakonda and his wide appeal as a Telugu movie hero of mass appeal. The Music director Tanishk has several hit songs including this Aafat and Mera Banega Tu. Mera Banega Tu was sung by Lakshay Kapoor is musically rich and came to Smule to sing the song so that a few joins will be selected to meet with the music director to work with him. Lakshay is a noticeable singer although he had been singing for a few years now, this businessman and eligible good-looking bachelor is winning hearts through his Mera Banega Tu song on Smule.

Position Fourteen

Pritam has yet another high-rated song from ‘Brahmastra movie. A very enjoyable Dance Ka Bhoot song that is a foot tapper.

Position Fifteen

This is a great break for singer/compere Aditya Narayan under music director Mithoon. Superstar Ranbir made this song a super success last year. Aditya who had been under the shadows of his more famous dad Udit Narayan had this break this last year and made a mark as a major singer in the industry.

Position Sixteen

This song is a great win for this singer /YouTuber Raghav Chaitanya. His channel is one of the most enjoyable music channels on youtube. This youngster has been singing and strumming for many years and this is a win for him to have finally made it to the top chart song last year. This is his win for sure. This song has a Shreya version as well.

Position Seventeen

Song: Akdi Pakdi
Music Composer: Lijo George-Dj Chetas
Hook line by Sunil Kashyap
Singer: Dev Negi, Pawni Pandey, Lijo George
Lyrics: Mohsin Shaikh & Azeem Dayani

Position Eighteen

Song: Mehram
Music Composed, Arranged, and Produced loop by: Sachet-Parampara
Singer: Sachet Tandon
Lyrics: Shellee

The music direction role by the Singer duo Sachet and Parampara is very impressive so far. A super talented duo that had been making ‘mazing’ music for years. Sachet is a singer to pay attention to his ability to hit the high notes very easily and this is a new trend for many top male singers these days.

Position Nineteen

Music – Pritam
Lyrics – Amitabh Bhattacharya
Singer – Tushar Joshi, Shreya Ghoshal

One of the better songs of the movie Brahmastra and the winner here is the male singer, Tushar Joshi. He is a superb talent with the potential to be a lead singer. Here along with Shreya, he sang this excellent song that wins many hearts. Musically a lot richer song is here for a reason.

Position Twenty

Lastly, the two songs from Laal Singh Chaddha Kahani, sung by Mohan K, and Mein Ki Karan, sung by Sonu Nigam are neck to neck for this place. Musically Pritam did an excellent job for this movie as well. Sonu Nigam after several years brings his singing to his fans through Mein Ki Karan. Mohan K. is a good singer yet struggling with not being able to find an identity in this highly competitive music industry.

END NOTES

The Bollywood industry is like a Zoo. One gets to see many different facets of talents and business takes precedence over the artistic aspect. Yet as we mentioned in our introduction there were many movies that tried to emphasize the artistic aspect more and thus made music that sticks to many values that musicians care about. Music as one may see is a big part of the success of Bollywood movies. The commercial aspect of the music was on one side, but music directors like Pritam made music of Bollywood music a place where the essence of India’s music is still alive. Among the new voices Tushar Joshi and Lothika made quite an impression as promises for the future. The music director duo OAFF (Kabeer) and Savera are amazing talents to watch in the coming years.

ARR’s very melodious songs from the 2022 release Mili movie are (brilliantly acted by Jhanvi Kapoor) not to be forgotten. The song Tum bhi Rahi (sung by ARR and Saasha) is a very beautifully made melody. The same song is also sung in yet another version by ARR’s daughter Khatija Rahman is even more melodiously presented. The entire movie background score itself is very beautifully presented. Vishal Mishra‘s Sun Aye Mili is also a beautiful song. ARR introduced a new voice through Main Toh Main Hoon, Abhlasha Sinha also did an awesome singing of the song. ARR gave two solos to Vishal Mishra to sing in this movie.

For established female singers Neeti Mohan remained the winner, while Shreya and Arijit, both established themself a place in this industry as two forces that many can’t deny. Coke Studio productions are a fresh breath of air where the subcontinent’s music is kept alive. Lyricist Amithab Bhattacharya is at the top of his game with poetic touches to the music made last year. There are hopes for good music that will be better than the popularity of a T-shirt. A big Pranam at the memories of Lata Mangeshkar this year’s analysis end here. Here is a table of numbers that this write-up is based on. Thanks for reading.

Table of data / Research