It’s not often the whole world gets together to celebrate especially in the modern times of bipartisanism. February 14th is the day of love, a celebration of everything love gives us, a day to think of people we love, wherever they are around the world. Bollywood makes the best of this situation with a love story often being released to show off romance at its best.
It being 2019, below are 19 of our picks for the best ways to think about your love on this day, whatever stage your relationship is at.
‘Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga’ – Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga
Where else to open but with 2019’s blockbuster romance Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga. The film is a very different kind of romance for the screen based upon a love song from one of the greatest of all Bollywood’s music directors. Functioning both as title track and reminder of what it’s based on, this is all about discovery. Listen out for Darshan Raval doing an admirable Kumar Sanu but even though it has a Punjabi flavour, its timeless qualities are its best.
‘Aap Se Milkar’ – Andhadhun
And all love must start somewhere, so why not at the meeting. Not only does this open the album but also opens the love story of this super hit film of 2018. Smooth calypso beat make it danceable with that special someone you’d like to get to know better.
‘Qaafirana’ – Kedarnath
Sometimes love happens at the most inconvenient times, sometimes it feels like why did it have to happen now? You might be working away at your day job and there he/she is! At those times think of this soft, smooth number and melt away your tensions.
‘Tera Mera Rishta‘ – Jalebi
Is love written in destiny? How do you know the person you ran into during the last song is the one? Well maybe then this is the song for you… just sit back, relax and let it all fall in place; for you always knew it was meant to be.
‘Naina Da Kya Kasoor‘ – Andhadhun
“For a musician love is the best inspiration,” so listen out music fans! This is all about the inevitability of love too but here it’s the heart escaping its bindings, not destiny intervening. Amit Trivedi is superb as music director and singer with Ayushmann and Radkhika doing a great job of the visuals. Still Tabu, as ever, is the best!!!
‘Hafiz Hafiz‘ – Laila Majnu
At what other time in life would you be happy to have a mad dream where you’re openly bleeding but the person you love keeps appearing in the most angelic outfit ever? And worst of all, you must chase them around a forest, but nothing could make you happier? This is the song for those at this stage.
‘Mere Naam Tu‘ – Zero
Once all the running around dies down and you have an orchestra to hand, why not serenade the love of your current relationship with this song by a miniature Shah Rukh Khan. SRK pulls out all his best romantic moves in this long but beautiful song.
‘O Saathi‘ – Baaghi 2
Another man known for his moves is Tiger Shroff. In this song with real life girlfriend Disha Patani, he proves to be a loving sign of disaster as without saying anything he wins the heart of the girl, showing that being polite is also a great way for relationships to form.
‘Paniyon Sa‘ – Satmayeva Jayate
For the couple in a solid and stable relationship, this song provides a template of no fear love. After all what could possibly scare John Abraham and all those muscles. Aisha Sharma though is not far behind climbing into the front seat of a moving car…
‘Vaara Re‘ – Dhadak
The final coming together of a couple also takes a lot of bravery but once it’s done there is a lot of joy and relief to be had. For the times we experience or remember these, there is this song. While sung by a male, it is certainly meant for both sides of the partnership, both enjoying what it means to be together.
‘Tere Liye‘ – Namaste England
Something that Atif Aslam does seemingly better than anyone now in Bollywood is to describe a relationship just with his voice. This song is just another of the many examples already in his discography meant for those who have committed to each other.
‘Gud naal Ishq Mitha‘ – Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga
Even in our modern world, there is still a need for weddings just to define things for those who need it. And when at a wedding Bollywood has an entire repertoire of songs to provide just the right tone. This one is for a Punjabi wedding along traditional lines but don’t be afraid to chicken dance when no one else is watching!
‘Ne Baandhi‘ – Gold
Good men have good women next to them. That’s true today as much as it was in history. A thing proven by this song as Mouni Roy stands by Akshay Kumar through good, bad and everything in between. Most importantly though, he doesn’t forget to love her back in the meantime.
‘Nit Khair Manga‘ – Raid
Most importantly wherever your journey in love is its most important to hold on to what you have to the best of your ability. If you should ever forget, there’s always this song to remind what’s important in any relationship.
‘Theher Ja‘ – October
For all these beautiful love songs, Bollywood also recognises that sometimes things don’t go as expected and listeners are left with memories. This one is for those memories; may it make you think of the good times…
‘Dekhte Dekhte‘ – Batti Gul Meter Chalu
Atif Aslam not only knows how to make great love songs, he also brings tunes for its sadness. “Sochta hai ke woh kitne masoom the, kya se kya hogaye dekhte dekhte”. Shahid and Shradda are both well-known for dance, but here their faces say it all.
‘Dil Mein Ho Tum‘ – Why Cheat India
Sometimes even the best love stories reach an inevitable end and you must find solace in what was before. This song is about finding peace in them, the good memories of the time passed but knowing when to move on.
‘Aahista‘ – Laila Majnu
Saving the best for last though is the sweet pang of the broken-hearted in this song. Separated lovers show that they are blind to even the most beautiful landscapes in the world as they try to find a way to survive in their seemingly new world.
‘Pal‘ – Jalebi
Quite possibly the best love song of 2018 is the last in this list. This song is for all emotions, all states of love “Hasoon mein jab gaye tu, Ro do jo mudh jaye tu”, it’s the ultimate bittersweet moment to a bittersweet tale.
“Raat haseen, yeh chand haseen, tu sab se haseen mere dilbar” wrote a famous poet years ago as lyrics for a great song. But his masterpiece line was to come: “Aur tujhe se haseen tera pyar”. Whether it be 1969 or 2019, Bollywood keeps finding ways to bring out the beauty of men and women, of the natural world around us but reminding us all that love is the triumph that cannot be surpassed. So, on this day, whatever your relationship status, if you want to think about love, Bollywood has the sound for you.
