Times When Bollywood Actors Sang and Delivered Hit Songs PART 2

Bollywood actors stepping behind the microphone have given audiences some surprisingly memorable songs over the years, and in many cases, those tracks went far beyond novelty value to become genuine hits. In Part 1 of this series, we looked at actors like Ayushmann Khurrana, Ranveer Singh, and Shraddha Kapoor, who successfully integrated music into their acting careers and delivered songs audiences still revisit today.

But that list definitely does not end there. Here are a few more Bollywood actors who proved they could sing just as confidently as they perform on screen. Their diverse work is something Sanskar Savvy wants to Celebrate, Explore, Connect! with and continue to follow up for updates.

Alia’s Soft Musical Catalogue

While Alia Bhatt continues to build an excellent career in films and is known for naturally fitting into all her characters, she also often brings her soft and emotionally grounded voice to her songs. Rather than aiming for perfection, her songs often work due to their simplicity, sincerity, and her pure joy in singing. Several reprises or alternate versions of her songs from her films have become really popular among audiences, including “Samjhawan Unplugged” and “Ikk Kudi” with Diljit Dosanjh.

More recently, she has also lent her voice to the track “Chal Kudiye” from her 2024 film Jigra, reuniting with Diljit. While she never positioned herself as a singer, she enjoys music and wants to bring a personal, emotional touch to her onscreen work and characters. This is why audiences continue responding so positively to her songs. Rather than trying to showcase vocal power, Alia’s singing often succeeds because it feels sincere and closely tied to the film’s storytelling.

The Legendary Actor-Singer

Famously known for singing many of his own songs and lending his famed voice to tracks, Amitabh Bachchan had already shown that actors could successfully create memorable songs in their own voices. He began his singing journey to add a personal touch to his roles on-screen and to engage with his large audiences. His filmmakers and music directors really supported his decision because they liked his deep, resonant baritone voice and his speaking style, as well as the folk-style lyrics penned by his father, Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

He started singing in films for himself to connect with younger audiences back in the day. He sang, “Mere Paas Aao Mere Dosto” in Mr. Natwarlal in 1979, on special request by filmmaker Rakesh Kumar and composer Rajesh Roshan, specifically to expand his popularity with young kids. Following the success of the song, Amitabh went on to sing many songs for his films. Amitabh’s iconic song “Rang Barse” from the film Silsila came about when legendary director Raj Kapoor was hosting a private Holi party where Amitabh sang a traditional folk-styled song. Producer Yash Chopra was also an attendee, and when he heard the song, he was so impressed that he decided to include the song in his film. This song went on to become one of the most iconic songs of the time and remains a megahit at Holi parties and on dance floors.

What made Amitabh stand out was not traditional playback technique, but his distinctive voice. Deep, commanding, and instantly identifiable, his vocals brought a unique personality to every song he performed. His songs also retained their appeal decades after their release, as they weren’t just tied to a specific film or moment; they had their own character and flavour that could be played for decades after release.

When ZNMD’s Cast Took the Mic

When Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara was released in 2011, audiences connected instantly with its themes of friendship, travel, and self-discovery. Fittingly, one of the film’s most memorable songs came directly from the three friends at the heart of the story. Rather than using traditional playback singers, director Zoya Akhtar and the film’s music team had Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, and Abhay Deol record “Senorita” themselves, resulting in a standout moment in the film.

The song, accompanied by María del Mar Fernández’s authentic flamenco flair in her Spanish verses, reflected the brilliant chemistry of the three actors and their characters as friends. Their natural, playful performances added a level of authenticity and excitement to the song, making it stand out from other songs. It maintained the on-screen momentum by making the audience feel as if they were listening to some friends sing during an actual road trip through Spain.

The music directors of the song, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, recorded a good chunk of it by tricking the actors into believing it was a rehearsal and ended up using their takes because they sounded good. The success of this song also showed that songs sung by actors work best when they serve the story. More than a decade later, the track remains an iconic musical moment from the film.

The Story Doesn’t End Here

While playback singers remain the heart of the music industry, there is always something special about hearing actors bring their own voices to the characters they portray on screen. And this list only scratches the surface. Bollywood alone has produced many more actor-singers over the years, while artists in other regional film industries have also successfully balanced acting and music careers. If you enjoyed this series, keep an eye out to explore even more actors who sing their own songs, unexpected musical careers, and standout performances from film industries throughout India.

Did we miss one of your favourite actor-singers? DM us on Instagram to share your thoughts and let us know which actor surprised you the most behind the microphone, and which artists (throughout South Asian industries) you would like us to feature in a future edition of this series.

As we Celebrate, Explore, Connect! with more stories, we may just turn your suggestions into Part 3 😊

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