Best Romantic Singers of Tinsel Town - Part 1

I love you! This is the extent of the real life romance. No music! No dancing to its tunes in the romantic monsoon rains! Nevertheless, have you ever thought about the intense change that is added to the whole scenario with a romantic background score? Ever watched a pure Bollywood romantic saga? You will understand what we mean! Music! It has a passionate and significant effect on the audience since it connects them with the emotions of the characters in any particular scene. In this month of love, BollyCurry takes you on a romantic musical ride exploring the voices who gave life to those abundant numbers of outstanding sound tracks!

Right from the time Bollywood was born, music was the oxygen of every movie and we were gifted with some amazing singers who made music what it is today! Let's have a sneak peek at some of the most renowned romantic male singers of tinsel town in Part 1 of this romantic article!

Nephew of legendary Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat is one of the most established singers of Bollywood in this day and age. Rahat opened his singing career with the song "Mann Ki Lagan" in the 2004 film Paap, which was an instant hit. Following the footsteps of his uncle, every song of his has had a Sufi flavor which has become his signature style in all of his romantic songs from soft melodies, like "Bol Na Halke Halke," to the brilliant duet with Shreya Ghoshal, "Teri Ore," to the award winning compositions like, "Ajj Din Chadheya," "Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji," "Sajda," and "Tere Mast Mast Do Nain." Recently, he has delivered a series of hits including "Teri Meri" from Bodyguard, "Saaiyan" from Heroine and blockbuster hit from Dabangg 2, "Dagabaaz Re." His style and compositions are immensely liked and accepted by the audience so there is no question as to whether he should be part of this list or not.

Starting his career in 1995 as a host in singing reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, Sonu had to struggle for years to find success in his all-time romantic album, Deewana. Later on, he began singing for renowned composers of Bollywood and created breath-taking romantic melodies like "Ishq Bina" from Taal, "Suraj Hua Maddham" from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, and even the title track of the mega hit Kal Ho Na Ho, for which he won the National Award for Best Playback Singer. Along with these he also sang, "Do Pal Ruka," "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna," "Mere Haath Mein," "Main Agar Kahoon," "Inn Lamho Ke," and the most recent "Abhi Mujhme Kahin," from the 2012 hit, Agneepath. Most of these songs even went on to win quite a few awards and of course will be remembered for ages to come. Even though Sonu is famous for singing songs in different genres, we would say that he is his finest at his romantic melodies.

Son of late music director, Manas Mukherjee, Shantanu Mukherjee aka Shaan started off his career as a child artist and then went on to sing in music albums in the coming years. His widely known album is Tanha Dil which gained him wide and instant recognition. However, he had to wait to taste the ultimate taste of success for his singing career in Bollywood. Though being part of many films, romantic songs came his way with "Woh Pehli Baar," "Woh Ladki hai Kahan," "Ladki Kyun," "My Dil goes Mmm," "Hai Shona," "Chaand Sifarish," "Aao Milo Chale," "Mera Dil," "Jab Se Tere Naina," and of course who can forget the ever famous "Jadu hai Nasha Hai," all from various movies! You may find his list small but he is definitely one of the most widely recognized romantic singers of Bollywood. It's observable that though in minority, all his romantic tracks created waves around the tinsel town.

Udit Narayan, better known as the King of Music, during the 1980s and 1990s, got his first break after he sung for music composer Rajesh Roshan in 1980. Well, he was lucky enough that he never needed to turn back as he became the most wanted singer during those times. However, some of his most romantic and memorable songs remain "Pehla Nasha," "Tu Hai Meri Kiran," "Raja Ko Rani Se," all the tracks of Dil Toh Pagal Hai, all the tracks of Dilwale Dulhaniya Ke Jaayenge, the tracks of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, "Jaane Kyun" from Dil Chahta Hai which won him a National Award for Best Singer, "Dil Ne Yeh Kaha" from Dhadkan, "Chand Chupa Badal" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and "Main Yahan Hoon" from Veer Zaara. Though he has not been very active since 2004, those songs still manage to find their way into our mind whenever we think of a romantic song.

The master of Sufi music, Atif Aslam managed to make a unique identity of his own with some record breaking songs in a short time span. He has been popular for his singing and acting in his home country, Pakistan. He made his Bollywood debut with the song "Woh Lamhe" in 2005 which was widely appreciated. This followed with a list of hits that include "Pehli Nazar Mein" from Race, "Bakhuda Tumhi Ho" from Kismat Konnection, "Tera Hone Laga Hoon" and "Tu Jaane Na" from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani, "Oh Mere Khuda and Tere Liye" from Prince, "Piya O Re Piya" and "Tu Mohabbat Hai" from Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya and "Allah Duhai Hai" and "Be Intehan" from Race 2. So what do you say? Aren't his songs a treat to listen to? Of course they are and we sincerely wish to hear more of him!

Wasn't it exciting to walk down the memory lane with those awe inspiring romantic tunes once again? We're sure many of you have re-lived those moments that portrayed these songs in their respective films.  Now this part may have kept you glued to the male singers who made their name with their incredible romantic songs. We promise to meet you soon with the list of female singers who play a vital role in completing these songs. Until then, stay tuned and enjoy this month of romance with your favorite romantic numbers in your playlists!

Author: Siona M.
Editors: Shreya S. & Hershi J.
Graphics: Preet K.