Bollywood flops that had awesome music albums

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
26
Today's prompt for a blogpost by Write Tribe is "Put your ipod on Shuffle/ turn on the radio to your favourite station - write a post using the song as your prompt."

So I did click the old 'Shuffle' button and the first song that turned up was the melodious 'Saathiya Tune Kiya' from the 1991 Salman Khan-Revathi film 'Love'. Personally, I liked the movie back then and absolutely loved the songs with that awesome combination of S.P. Balasubramaniam and Chitra.



What I do remember is - and mind you, this is a 25 year old memory - reading in one of those film magazines back in the 90's how Salman Khan had been so sure of the success prior to its release and how stunned he was when the film flopped. After the high of 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' and with hits and above average entertainers like Saajan, Baaghi and Patthar ke Phool, the film 'Love' would mark a tough phase for him where six consecutive films flopped badly, shaking his confidence. That streak would end in 1994 with Andaz Apna Apna and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.

But the song reminded me of a category that is peculiar to Indian films - flop films with hit songs.
Songs form a huge part of Indian cinema even today in 2017 and no review of a film is complete without talking of the songs and dance numbers. Invariably thus, we find ourselves loving so many wonderful songs when we first hear them during the trailers and are sorely disappointed when the film itself turns out to be rubbish.
With that thought in mind, I decided to make a list of Bollywood movies that had some wonderful songs but flopped at the box office.  Ones that come to mind for me include:
  • Anjana Anjani
  • Hero (2016)
  • Love
  • Kahi pyaar na ho jaaye
  • Saaya
  • Jhoota hi Sahi
  • Aawarapan
  • Fiza
  • Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya
  • Jaan-e-mann
  • Salaam-e-Ishq
  • 1 2 ka 4
  • Phir bhi dil hai Hindustani
  • Roy
  • Papa Kehte Hain
  • Tum Mile 

I'm sure I have missed a few. Which would you like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments section and I will add the best ones here.

(Update) Movies You've Chosen:

  • Dil Se
  • Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi
  • Lakshya
  • Khuda Gawah
  • Andaz Apna Apna
  • Akele Hum Akele Tum
  • Khamoshi
  • Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna
  • Criminal


Before you leave, here are a few gifts to fall back on - memories of some lovely songs from the list above.











Authors note:


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26Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. Oh this is lovely collection of songs. Love Aur Kya from Dil Hai Hindustani, Saathiya Tune Kya Kiya from Love. I have heard Gerua from Dilwale on a loop, the movie was terrible and this is when I love SRK.

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    1. Haha.. yes, I saw Dilwale (well, parts of it) and hated the movie!

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  2. I loved Phie Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani...and the song by Love too.
    It was a good one, I recall watching this film in the hall...as a die hard Salmaan fan:)

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    1. haha.. most of Salman's movies in the early 90s had pretty good songs (except for that flop phase!)

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  3. I love the song Sathiya and I loved the easy relationship that the characters of Salman and Revathi shared in the movie. Also I remember that Revathi's name in the movie was Maggi :P

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    1. bang on..perfect memory. Yes, it was Maggie :) I think her name was ther ein that last song too, right? :)

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  4. I had then wondered why a talented star like Revathi had agreed to work in the movie Love, back then!
    One such song that I wish to add to the list is "Bol Halke Halke" from Jhoom Barabar Jhoom". Not sure of the movie name though ;)
    -Anagha From Team MocktailMommies

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    1. haha.. yes, it was her bollywood debut i think.. the movie itself had a telugu original (Prema) which was a bigger hit. There too, she was the actress

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  5. What a collection this is!
    The Salaam-e-Ishq album is still my favorite!

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    1. I liked most of the film.. but it was just too long. Needed some editing

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  6. An interesting topic to write on the films that sunk without a trace but the music were hits. Despite not working Andaz Apna Apna had amazing music and a trend in 90s where film-makers have put huge emphasis on music the decade where pop waltz its way. Even Amitabh Bachchan known for his angry young man image realized the importance of music that his Khuda Gawah's musical score was entertaining, something that eluded his films in the late 80s. Enjoyed reading about the collection. Lights, Camera, Action and Music.

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    1. ah yes... I missed Andaz Apna Apna which should make this list.

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  7. Yes yes.. so true. I love Saathiya ye Tune Kya Kiya! S.P.Balasubramanum's voice hmm too melodious.
    Tum Mile and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. Even Music from the movie Lakshya, the picture did not do well on BO but what lovely tracks.

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    1. yes. SPB was the mainstay of most of Salman's early hits, wasn't he? :)
      And yes, have added Lakshya on your recommendation

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  8. Saathiya tune kya kiya has a deep connect for me. I love that song and yet it makes me want to cry. You brought out many memories with this post.
    My additions to the list would be Akele Hum Akele Tum, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and the best of all, Khamoshi (Salman Khan's).

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  9. I remember that movie, and Saathiya is a lovely song! I loved the songs of "Sanam" 1997. It had lovely songs but movie didn't do well.

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    1. Have to look that up. don't remember it ,honestly

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  10. Hey, you have a great list of songs here. I remember most of the songs and hardly anything else about most of the movies. The other song that comes to my mind is 'Hawa Hawa ae hawa" again, no clue about the movie.

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    1. even I dont remember the film but yes, it was a really popular song

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  11. I am not a mainstream Bollywood watcher. The films I ever watched were early hits. Kabhi kushi kabhi gham of sorts. Somehow I still cry watching that one. Anyway, I was surprised to see Revathi in this love with Salman!

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  12. I would love to add songs from the movie CRIMINAL starrer Nagarjuna and Manisha Koirala. The film was an utter flop but the songs were real hit and on everybody's lips at that time.

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  13. The beauty of these songs is , I remember the lyrics by heart even today!! A super trip down memory lane!

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    1. Thanks. And yes, it was wonderful finding some old gems here

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