Bollywood’s soft power is known worldwide. Whenever an Indian travels abroad and interacts with locals, the first point of commonality is Bollywood. Be it Raj Kapoor’s crazy fandom in Russia or, decades later, Shah Rukh Khan’s popularity in the Middle East, Bollywood, through its films, has been India’s cultural identity. In recent years, Bollywood music in particular has been building cross-cultural bridges, particularly in Asia.&nbsp;&nbsp;New Delhi recently hosted the BRICS Summit 2026, which had many global leaders in attendance. Amid geopolitical treaties and trade agreements, what grabbed eyeballs was when Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim used Bollywood songs in videos of his India visit while sharing on social media. His choice of Bollywood songs for the posts particularly caught the attention of social media users.&nbsp;<h2>Malaysian PM's Bollywood playlist</h2>&nbsp;From praising PM Narendra Modi with songs like ‘I am the best’ from SRK-Juhi Chawla starrer Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani to Dil to Pagal Hai title track and DDLJ’s iconic ‘Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam’, the Malaysian PM’s choice of music wooed the common man of India and made him appear more relatable.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sekitar hari kedua di Delhi semalam, membawa suara dan pendirian tegas Malaysia tatkala berucap di hadapan pimpinan dunia di pentas BRICS. 

Berakhir urusan diplomasi di Delhi, saya terbang ke Kerala untuk bertemu Mufti Besar India dan berhimpun bersama kira-kira 2,000 anak-anak pelajar Markaz Saquafathi Sunniya dalam majlis ilmu. Alhamdulillah. 

#MalaysiaMADANI 
#DiplomasiMADANI 
#YakinMADANI&mdash; Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) <a href="https://x.com/anwaribrahim/status/2099486454003159113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2026</a></blockquote>
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The Malaysian PM's love for Bollywood music was not restricted to reels referring to Indian leaders only. In a post featuring his meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Ibrahim opted for 'Saathi Haath Badhana'. The theme of the 1957 Naya Daur song centres around collective effort and moving ahead together.The choice underscored the message of cooperation behind the meeting. Ibrahim also shared a post featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin and members of the Russian delegation. The photographs were posted with a song from Aamir Khan's film Lagaan, 'Chale Chalo', reinforcing the theme of moving forward together. While many felt that PM Ibrahim’s choice of music was a calculated PR strategy, it also reflected his genuine interest in Indian cinema. The choices were an authentic reflection of how deeply entrenched Indian popular culture is in Southeast Asia. It proved that generations of leaders across Asia grew up on the same cinematic and musical staple diet. <h2>Emmanuel Macron’s tribute to India</h2> Ibrahim is not the only country premier to woo the country with Bollywood music. Earlier this year in February, Frech President Emmanuel Macron had used Ranveer Singh starrer Dhruadhar’s track ‘Jogi’ for his India visit reel. Jogi, sung by MC Punjabi, was originally released over two decades ago, but reworked by composer Shashwat Sachdev for Dhurandhar with additional vocals by Hanumankind. The French President and the First Lady also had a special interaction with Bollywood celebrities, including Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, Zoya Akhtar, Richa Chadha, Shabana Azmi, and Ricky Kej during their three-day visit to India. You see, where policies and talks fail, cinema and music always bridge the gap. From Malaysia to France, Bollywood’s immense popularity has been transcending borders and overcoming language barriers. The leaders have only now been cashing in on Bollywood’s soft power.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you India! 🇮🇳🇫🇷 https://t.co/vDJ9IH2hZy&mdash; Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) <a href="https://x.com/EmmanuelMacron/status/2024558347135922533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;<h2>Social media and its reach</h2>&nbsp;From Bollywood dance classes to infusing local music into Hindi hit songs, everyone wants a piece of Indian cinema. Cross-cultural intersections like the one that industrialist Anand Mahindra shared on X in July are more a norm than an out-of-the-blue phenomenon.&nbsp;Mahindra had shared a video of a Indonesian band singing Mahender Kapoor’s ‘Neele Gagan Ke Tale’ with a Reggae twist. The band in question goes by the name Albumology on YouTube, which reimagines retro Hindi songs, giving them a global spin.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">An Indonesian YouTube channel called Albumology has built a fascinating library of retro Hindi classics, reimagined in Reggae/Ska.

Using local Indonesian session musicians and vocalists, they’ve given these songs an entirely new cultural texture.

I came across this rendition of Neele Gagan Ke Tale in a post by @SHEKARSUSHEEL 
 I couldn’t stop playing it on loop.

It’s now downloaded and will become a permanent part of my road trip playlist.

The original, in the immortal voice of Mahendra Kapoor, is, of course, beyond comparison.

But this arrangement gives the song a universal feel. It’ll make you tap your feet, no matter where you come from.

And listening to the lyrics again, I was struck by how beautifully they celebrate the natural world. Long before sustainability became a global movement, this song was already reminding us of our bond with the planet. Perhaps it deserves to be an anthem for that cause.

#SundayWanderer&mdash; anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) <a href="https://x.com/anandmahindra/status/2078816126956634402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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With the popularity of social media, the world is now at our doorstep. And while we imbibe the culture of other countries, Indian cultural- its music, tradition and cinema is wooing people in other countries. Indian film music works because of its high emotional quotient—themes of love, separation, resilience, and celebration that transcend linguistic lines.&nbsp;When celebrities like Anand Mahindra, with over 11 million followers on X, share such videos, it puts India on the global map while generating more curiosity around such cultural crossovers.&nbsp;This isn’t a recent phenomenon, though. For decades, Indian cinema and music have been popular in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East thanks to the diaspora communities, trade routes, and film exports. Social media has only widened the reach of Indian cinema and music. Now, Bollywood music is just one reel away.&nbsp;In an era marked by geopolitical friction and polarisation, cultural soft power provides a common denominator. Whether it is a world leader curating a Hindi playlist or netizens reacting to a viral clip, or protestors using it to dissent against the government, Bollywood music continues to do what political rhetoric often fails to achieve: reminding everyone about a common emotional heartbeat.

From Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim using iconic 90s Bollywood tracks to frame his diplomatic engagements, to French President Emmanuel Macron featuring 'Jogi' for his India visit reels, world leaders are actively tapping into Indian pop culture to connect with citizens.

Bollywood’s soft power is known worldwide. Whenever an Indian travels abroad and interacts with locals, the first point of commonality is Bollywood. Be it Raj Kapoor’s crazy fandom in Russia or, decades later, Shah Rukh Khan’s popularity in the Middle East, Bollywood, through its films, has been India’s cultural identity. In recent years, Bollywood music in particular has been building cross-cultural bridges, particularly in Asia. New Delhi recently hosted the BRICS Summit 2026, which had many global leaders in attendance. Amid geopolitical treaties and trade agreements, what grabbed eyeballs was when Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim used Bollywood songs in videos of his India visit while sharing on social media. His choice of Bollywood songs for the posts particularly caught the attention of social media users. Malaysian PM's Bollywood playlist From praising PM Narendra Modi with songs like ‘I am the best’ from SRK-Juhi Chawla starrer Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani to Dil to Pagal Hai title track and DDLJ’s iconic ‘Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jana Sanam’, the Malaysian PM’s choice of music wooed the common man of India and made him appear more relatable.

From Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim using iconic 90s Bollywood tracks to frame his diplomatic engagements, to French President Emmanuel Macron featuring 'Jogi' for his India visit reels, world leaders are actively tapping into Indian pop culture to connect with citizens.

Beyond Geopolitics: Why Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and other global leaders turn to Bollywood playlists

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Indonesia earlier this week was also the story of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. During his visit, the melody of the popular song from the 1998 Bollywood film of the same name starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji, was played at the venue. President Prabowo said he had "Indian DNA", and that he and his aides love to sing or dance to Indian music.&nbsp;<h2>"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and the Indonesian President's 'Indian DNA'</h2>Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo Subianto together played the traditional Indonesian musical instrument, the angklung, drawing smiles from those present. The angklung is made of bamboo tubes that produce sound when shaken. This joint performance symbolised the cultural harmony between the two nations and delighted the audience. The melody of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai played at the venue of Modi's engagements.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-indonesia-strengthen-ties-indonesia-confers-highest-honour-to-pm-modi-1783424516060/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-indonesia-strengthen-ties-indonesia-confers-highest-honour-to-pm-modi-1783424516060/embed</a>President Prabowo said he had done a genome sequencing and found he had "Indian DNA". “So whenever I hear Indian music, I find my body moving,” he added. He revealed that many of his ministers and military generals also enjoy singing or dancing to Indian songs.Later, at a community event with the Indian diaspora in Jakarta, Modi noted the popularity of Bollywood in Indonesia. Speaking in Hindi, he specifically referred to the song Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and told President Prabowo Subianto that when India and Indonesia come together, it goes far beyond "kuch kuch hota hai" (a little happens) to "bahut kuch hota hai" (a lot happens).Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/pm-narendra-modi-quotes-kuch-kuch-hota-hai-karan-johar-calls-it-language-of-love-1783499943384">PM Narendra Modi quotes Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Karan Johar calls it language of love</a><h2>Popularity of Bollywood and Indian Songs in Indonesia</h2>These exchanges should be seen in the context of the enduring popularity of Bollywood films and Indian songs in Indonesia.Indian films and music have been embedded in the Southeast Asian nation's cultural fabric for decades, owing to historical ties and shared mythological traditions such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Bollywood films and their soundtracks have been screened and broadcast in Indonesia since the mid-20th century.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-confirms-signing-brahmos-cruise-missile-deal-with-vietnam-says-indonesia-pact-in-final-stages-1780147810239">India says signed BrahMos cruise missile deal with Vietnam, Indonesia pact in final stages</a>Generations of Indonesians have grown up watching Bollywood films, with fans remembering classics from the 1950s to the 1990s as well as modern hits. Shah Rukh Khan's films, and songs from movies such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kal Ho Naa Ho, remain perennial favourites and are frequently played at weddings, parties and community events across Indonesia.Songs by A.R. Rahman, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and contemporary Indian artists often go viral on TikTok and other local social media platforms. Indonesians enthusiastically perform cover versions of these songs and create TikTok videos dancing to them, reflecting the continued popularity of Indian music and cinema in the country.

From Narendra Modi's remarks on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai song, to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto saying he had Indian DNA as he moves to Indian songs, the love for Bollywood and Indian music was on full display during the Indian leader's visit to Indonesia. A recap

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's trip to Indonesia earlier this week was also the story of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. During his visit, the melody of the popular song from the 1998 Bollywood film of the same name starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji, was played at the venue. President Prabowo said he had "Indian DNA", and that he and his aides love to sing or dance to Indian music. "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" and the Indonesian President's 'Indian DNA' Prime Minister Modi and President Prabowo Subianto together played the traditional Indonesian musical instrument, the angklung, drawing smiles from those present. The angklung is made of bamboo tubes that produce sound when shaken. This joint performance symbolised the cultural harmony between the two nations and delighted the audience. The melody of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai played at the venue of Modi's engagements. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-indonesia-strengthen-ties-indonesia-confers-highest-honour-to-pm-modi-1783424516060/embed President Prabowo said he had done a genome sequencing and found he had "Indian DNA". “So whenever I hear Indian music, I find my body moving,” he added. He revealed that many of his ministers and military generals also enjoy singing or dancing to Indian songs. Later, at a community event with the Indian diaspora in Jakarta, Modi noted the popularity of Bollywood in Indonesia. Speaking in Hindi, he specifically referred to the song Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and told President Prabowo Subianto that when India and Indonesia come together, it goes far beyond "kuch kuch hota hai" (a little happens) to "bahut kuch hota hai" (a lot happens). Also read: PM Narendra Modi quotes Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Karan Johar calls it language of love Popularity of Bollywood and Indian Songs in Indonesia These exchanges should be seen in the context of the enduring popularity of Bollywood films and Indian songs in Indonesia. Indian films and music have been embedded in the Southeast Asian nation's cultural fabric for decades, owing to historical ties and shared mythological traditions such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Bollywood films and their soundtracks have been screened and broadcast in Indonesia since the mid-20th century. Also read: India says signed BrahMos cruise missile deal with Vietnam, Indonesia pact in final stages Generations of Indonesians have grown up watching Bollywood films, with fans remembering classics from the 1950s to the 1990s as well as modern hits. Shah Rukh Khan's films, and songs from movies such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Kal Ho Naa Ho, remain perennial favourites and are frequently played at weddings, parties and community events across Indonesia. Songs by A.R. Rahman, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar and contemporary Indian artists often go viral on TikTok and other local social media platforms. Indonesians enthusiastically perform cover versions of these songs and create TikTok videos dancing to them, reflecting the continued popularity of Indian music and cinema in the country.

From Narendra Modi's remarks on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai song, to Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto saying he had Indian DNA as he moves to Indian songs, the love for Bollywood and Indian music was on full display during the Indian leader's visit to Indonesia. A recap

'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai': How Bollywood song symbolised Indonesia's love for Indian music during PM Modi's visit

If you are a fan of Bollywood music and have been listening to your favourite songs on the music streaming app Spotify, you are in for a shock. Hundreds of Bollywood songs have reportedly vanished from the app. According to media reports, Spotify has stated that it has not been able to reach an agreement with the owners of the tracks after the old agreement expired.&nbsp; 
 
So hit numbers like Malhari from Bajirao Mastani to Kala Chashma from Baar Baar Dekho and many other fan favourite songs are no longer available on the app as they have been deleted.&nbsp;

It has led to several users'&nbsp;playlists getting visibly shorter. The listeners only realised&nbsp;that the songs were missing after they hit play. 
 
Spotify has mentioned on its website that it does not provide access to all the music and podcasts in the world.&nbsp;

Like most other streaming services, it makes licensing deals with publishers and rights owners so it's allowed to provide their tracks. 
 
It's a similar system to apps like Netflix, where titles will disappear before popping up on a rival service. In case of Bollywood music, contracts expire.&nbsp;

Users of the app are obviously not happy as they found some precious songs from their curated playlist missing. Many took to Twitter to expresses disappointment.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
is spotify beefing with bollywood why are they taking off almost all the songs what do they have against daaru desi and kala chashma
— mina (@versacenoon) <a href="https://twitter.com/versacenoon/status/1636112921473212417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Kala chashma?! KALA CHASHMA IS GONE FROM SPOTIFY
— Sawan (plis never wake me up whatsoever)✨💫 (@sawan_sleeps) <a href="https://twitter.com/sawan_sleeps/status/1638180267117408259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
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spotify took kala chashma off spotify. WHAT AM I GOING TO LISTEN TO ON REPEAT ON THE WAY TO UNI
— Neelam (@neeelam_) <a href="https://twitter.com/neeelam_/status/783065158402838528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
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aint no way spotify removed gandi baat and kala chashma <a href="https://t.co/PebCWrCFYI">pic.twitter.com/PebCWrCFYI</a>
— bareera (@barrreeraa) <a href="https://twitter.com/barrreeraa/status/1637414858269380608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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If you are a fan of Bollywood music and have been listening to your favourite songs on the music streaming app Spotify, you are in for a shock. Hundreds of Bollywood songs have reportedly vanished from the app.

If you are a fan of Bollywood music and have been listening to your favourite songs on the music streaming app Spotify, you are in for a shock. Hundreds of Bollywood songs have reportedly vanished from the app. According to media reports, Spotify has stated that it has not been able to reach an agreement with the owners of the tracks after the old agreement expired. So hit numbers like Malhari from Bajirao Mastani to Kala Chashma from Baar Baar Dekho and many other fan favourite songs are no longer available on the app as they have been deleted. It has led to several users' playlists getting visibly shorter. The listeners only realised that the songs were missing after they hit play. Spotify has mentioned on its website that it does not provide access to all the music and podcasts in the world. Like most other streaming services, it makes licensing deals with publishers and rights owners so it's allowed to provide their tracks. It's a similar system to apps like Netflix, where titles will disappear before popping up on a rival service. In case of Bollywood music, contracts expire. Users of the app are obviously not happy as they found some precious songs from their curated playlist missing. Many took to Twitter to expresses disappointment. is spotify beefing with bollywood why are they taking off almost all the songs what do they have against daaru desi and kala chashma — mina (@versacenoon) March 15, 2023 × Kala chashma?! KALA CHASHMA IS GONE FROM SPOTIFY — Sawan (plis never wake me up whatsoever)✨💫 (@sawan_sleeps) March 21, 2023 × spotify took kala chashma off spotify. WHAT AM I GOING TO LISTEN TO ON REPEAT ON THE WAY TO UNI — Neelam (@neeelam_) October 3, 2016 × aint no way spotify removed gandi baat and kala chashma pic.twitter.com/PebCWrCFYI — bareera (@barrreeraa) March 19, 2023 ×

Can't find your favourite Bollywood song on Spotify? Here's why

One of the most popular songs from 1991’s iconic film ‘Saajan’—with equally mesmerizing songs—‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’ will now be recreated for the digital space.&nbsp;

 
The revamped version, to be sung by Mamta Sharma of ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ and ‘Fevicol Se’ fame, will be released on leadng digital stores on August 5, reports say.&nbsp;

 
It so happened that Venus Music—from the Venus Worldwide conglomerate—was acquired by leading Paris based digital company Believe in 2019. As part of this 100% acquisition Venus Music is now rebranded as Ishtar. The 2019 acquisition covers all music rights of Venus Music which has a strong catalog of non-film music as well as Bollywood film music and entails categories such as regional, pop, classical, ghazals, qawwalis, devotional and instrumental. As part of this strategic move, Venus Music will now not be limited to dominance in the domestic circles but will also parallelly enjoy global leverage through Believe’s extensive international affiliations.

 
Titled ‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’, the revamped&nbsp;track released on an YouTube channel and all leading digital stores on 5th August 2021. The track is a reprised version of the original song from the 1991 super-hit romantic drama ‘Saajan’ that featured Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt. Popular television actor Shaheer N Sheikh and singer Mamta Sharma will share screen space in the music video of the reprised track which has been directed by Ashraf Ali.

 
Singer Mamta Sharma was quoted as saying, “My new release is a recreation of the iconic song ‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’ from the movie Saajan, which was released 30 years ago and still continues to hold such a memorable spot in all our hearts. Being an avid Madhuri Dixit fan, this is a project that is very close to my heart and is my humble ode to her legacy. I had a great time putting this project together. Shaheer is extremely hardworking, humble and cooperative. Bad-Ash has done a flawless job with the lyrics while Ashraf Ali has brilliantly captured the essence of the track in the video. I hope the listeners love this recreated version of the track.”

 
Shaheer N Sheikh reportedly added, “I had a great time shooting the video with Mamta Sharma as the song is one of my personal favorites. A song which was released 3 decades ago gave ‘romance’ a whole new meaning at that time and till today, it lives on in our hearts! I remember watching the film for the first time and I totally fell in love with the on-screen characters. Mamta and I have tried to capture every sentiment attached with the song, recreating this popular track from Saajan and hope our fans will appreciate the effort.”

One of the most popular songs from 1991’s iconic film ‘Saajan’—with equally mesmerizing songs—‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’ will now be recreated for the digital space.

One of the most popular songs from 1991’s iconic film ‘Saajan’—with equally mesmerizing songs—‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’ will now be recreated for the digital space. The revamped version, to be sung by Mamta Sharma of ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ and ‘Fevicol Se’ fame, will be released on leadng digital stores on August 5, reports say. It so happened that Venus Music—from the Venus Worldwide conglomerate—was acquired by leading Paris based digital company Believe in 2019. As part of this 100% acquisition Venus Music is now rebranded as Ishtar. The 2019 acquisition covers all music rights of Venus Music which has a strong catalog of non-film music as well as Bollywood film music and entails categories such as regional, pop, classical, ghazals, qawwalis, devotional and instrumental. As part of this strategic move, Venus Music will now not be limited to dominance in the domestic circles but will also parallelly enjoy global leverage through Believe’s extensive international affiliations. Titled ‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’, the revamped track released on an YouTube channel and all leading digital stores on 5th August 2021. The track is a reprised version of the original song from the 1991 super-hit romantic drama ‘Saajan’ that featured Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt. Popular television actor Shaheer N Sheikh and singer Mamta Sharma will share screen space in the music video of the reprised track which has been directed by Ashraf Ali. Singer Mamta Sharma was quoted as saying, “My new release is a recreation of the iconic song ‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’ from the movie Saajan, which was released 30 years ago and still continues to hold such a memorable spot in all our hearts. Being an avid Madhuri Dixit fan, this is a project that is very close to my heart and is my humble ode to her legacy. I had a great time putting this project together. Shaheer is extremely hardworking, humble and cooperative. Bad-Ash has done a flawless job with the lyrics while Ashraf Ali has brilliantly captured the essence of the track in the video. I hope the listeners love this recreated version of the track.” Shaheer N Sheikh reportedly added, “I had a great time shooting the video with Mamta Sharma as the song is one of my personal favorites. A song which was released 3 decades ago gave ‘romance’ a whole new meaning at that time and till today, it lives on in our hearts! I remember watching the film for the first time and I totally fell in love with the on-screen characters. Mamta and I have tried to capture every sentiment attached with the song, recreating this popular track from Saajan and hope our fans will appreciate the effort.”

Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt’s iconic song, ‘Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai’, recreated

&nbsp; 
Rabindra Sangeet and the soulful songs of Bhupen Hazarika were an integral part of my growing up years. I remember waking up to &lsquo;Ai akasha amar mukti&rsquo; (translation: I shall be liberated in the sky, in glorious luster) sung by my grandfather as he lovingly watered the plants in our garden. I have heard my father croon revolutionary songs like &lsquo;Ora amader gaan gaite dei na, paul robson&rsquo; (translation: they don&rsquo;t let us raise our voice, my brother Paul Robson). &nbsp;Hazarika&rsquo;s &lsquo;O Ganga boicho kano&rsquo; (translation: stretched on two shores where people live in crores, you hear their cries, still you are mum and oblivious. O the Ganges! Ganges, why do you flow in silence?) was my personal favourite. By the time I was 10, I had learned this song by heart and would consider it a feat achieved if ever my grandfather complimented me for singing it well.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
I have been in love with regional music or song of the soil as my grandfather liked to call it for as long as I can remember. Only, today I find it difficult to sniff out the very soulful songs amidst the noise that surrounds us in the guise of commercial songs churned out by the movie industries in dozens.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Today&rsquo;s commercial movie songs are plagued by sameness. It is this sameness that has rendered these songs boring. Except for some rare, hard to come by songs, most of them appear to be copy paste jobs with next to none change in lyrics, pitch, note and scale. There is nothing new. Nothing fresh. 
&nbsp; 
Original compositions that often borrow generously from folk music step in here to add refreshment to boredom. These compositions are not conceived keeping in mind a particular movie or music video. But occasionally some of them make inroads into cinema given the enriching experience they provide to listeners. They are instrumental in attracting listeners and holding their attention, thereby generating enthusiasm for the movie among moviegoers.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
A case in point could be Ritam Sen&rsquo;s winning of the Filmfare East 2018 for penning down the song &quot;Tomake Bujhina Priyo&quot; (translation: I don&rsquo;t understand you, dear). Interestingly the song was never meant to be a part of cinema.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&ldquo;The song was written back in 2012-2013. There was really no commercial motive&rdquo;, says Mr. Sen. The song was conceived by a group of youngsters who back then had no idea that it would go on to become such a big hit. Prasen Mukherjee added his music to the brilliantly penned words and together the team created a song which would eventually be picked up by Anindya Chatterjee for his Bengali movie Projapoti Biskut. 
&nbsp; 
The song, viral on YouTube and social media went to win the Filmfare East in all major music categories like - Best Music Album, Best Lyrics and Best Playback Singer (Female). Needless to say, the song which created a strong buzz among cine lovers worked well for the movie&rsquo;s business. 
Movie makers, music directors have time and again infused the regional music flavour in the commercial movies. Regional music is beautiful because despite being significantly different from popular and more followed compositions of a period, they manage to make pan India listeners croon to the renditions.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Remember &#39;Nimbooda&#39; from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and &#39;Bhumbro&#39; from Mission Kashmir? The audience has always enjoyed such regional music influencing Bollywood songs. The fact that these songs went on to become such chartbusters are proof of the popularity of regional music. &nbsp;Their popularity is also reflected in the rave reviews of the music pundits. 
&nbsp; 
We still dance to &lsquo;Beedi Jalai Le&rsquo; from Vishal Bhardwaj&rsquo;s Omkara. Wedding celebrations are incomplete without grooving to late Sri Devi&rsquo;s &#39;Navrai Majhi&#39; from English Vinglish. &lsquo;Shubharambh&rsquo; from Kai Po Che, &lsquo;Monta Re&rsquo; from &ndash; Lootera have stayed with us long after they first made their way to our hearts.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
These songs celebrate life. They aptly describe myriad emotions like joys of being in love and the sorrow of separation; they capture the beauty of life and death, the ultimate truth. They are raw and throbbing with passion. The compositions are relatable because they carry in them the smell of the soil.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Mr&quot;. Sen feels &ldquo;folk and original music are always more honest than the commercial cinema&#39;s requirement directed forced lyrics. And because such music is honest, they are more soul-stirring.&rdquo; 
&nbsp; 
Indeed! 
&nbsp; 
To pen such songs is an art. To lend a voice to such beautiful compositions is an art too. 
&nbsp; 
Where lies the beauty of these songs, one might wonder. For me, it is all about how these songs make me feel connected, nostalgic almost. It is because these songs are the lyrical representations of myriad Indian cultures woven together by soul touching notes.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Regional music upholds India&#39;s rich diversity in the most soulful manner. Each region has its own style and it is this style that acts as a differentiator. &nbsp;There are a plethora of songs for occasions such as weddings, engagements, and births and of planting and harvests. &nbsp;These are songs of hopes, melancholy, fears, and aspirations. They are real, they are raw. They help us reconnect with our inner self, the lost self, the self that was once fascinated by grandmother&#39;s tales and now feeds on nostalgia to relive forgotten times. 
&nbsp; 
Unfortunately, however, there are budget constraints that hinder nurturing both regional music and original compositions. &nbsp;Sometimes there is not enough exposure. Not all brilliantly composed and sung songs manage to make their way to the YouTube. Even if they do, they fail to become internet sensations because they lack the sheen and gloss of music videos that concentrate less on music and more on the look of their featured models. 
&nbsp; 
Mr. Sen is hopeful, believes &ldquo;the scene is getting better with more YouTube channels, creating a platform for original music&rdquo;. 
&nbsp; 
Music transcends all boundaries. That is why regional music must live on because nothing glorifies India&rsquo;s homogenous cultural identity like they do. 
&nbsp; 
The showbiz industry must include more folk music in mainstream cinema. As music lovers, we would love nothing better.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Regional music must live on because nothing glorifies India’s homogenous cultural identity like they do. However, there are budget constraints that hinder nurturing regional music.

Rabindra Sangeet and the soulful songs of Bhupen Hazarika were an integral part of my growing up years. I remember waking up to ‘Ai akasha amar mukti’ (translation: I shall be liberated in the sky, in glorious luster) sung by my grandfather as he lovingly watered the plants in our garden. I have heard my father croon revolutionary songs like ‘Ora amader gaan gaite dei na, paul robson’ (translation: they don’t let us raise our voice, my brother Paul Robson). Hazarika’s ‘O Ganga boicho kano’ (translation: stretched on two shores where people live in crores, you hear their cries, still you are mum and oblivious. O the Ganges! Ganges, why do you flow in silence?) was my personal favourite. By the time I was 10, I had learned this song by heart and would consider it a feat achieved if ever my grandfather complimented me for singing it well. I have been in love with regional music or song of the soil as my grandfather liked to call it for as long as I can remember. Only, today I find it difficult to sniff out the very soulful songs amidst the noise that surrounds us in the guise of commercial songs churned out by the movie industries in dozens. Today’s commercial movie songs are plagued by sameness. It is this sameness that has rendered these songs boring. Except for some rare, hard to come by songs, most of them appear to be copy paste jobs with next to none change in lyrics, pitch, note and scale. There is nothing new. Nothing fresh. Original compositions that often borrow generously from folk music step in here to add refreshment to boredom. These compositions are not conceived keeping in mind a particular movie or music video. But occasionally some of them make inroads into cinema given the enriching experience they provide to listeners. They are instrumental in attracting listeners and holding their attention, thereby generating enthusiasm for the movie among moviegoers. A case in point could be Ritam Sen’s winning of the Filmfare East 2018 for penning down the song "Tomake Bujhina Priyo" (translation: I don’t understand you, dear). Interestingly the song was never meant to be a part of cinema. “The song was written back in 2012-2013. There was really no commercial motive”, says Mr. Sen. The song was conceived by a group of youngsters who back then had no idea that it would go on to become such a big hit. Prasen Mukherjee added his music to the brilliantly penned words and together the team created a song which would eventually be picked up by Anindya Chatterjee for his Bengali movie Projapoti Biskut. The song, viral on YouTube and social media went to win the Filmfare East in all major music categories like - Best Music Album, Best Lyrics and Best Playback Singer (Female). Needless to say, the song which created a strong buzz among cine lovers worked well for the movie’s business. Movie makers, music directors have time and again infused the regional music flavour in the commercial movies. Regional music is beautiful because despite being significantly different from popular and more followed compositions of a period, they manage to make pan India listeners croon to the renditions. Remember 'Nimbooda' from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and 'Bhumbro' from Mission Kashmir? The audience has always enjoyed such regional music influencing Bollywood songs. The fact that these songs went on to become such chartbusters are proof of the popularity of regional music. Their popularity is also reflected in the rave reviews of the music pundits. We still dance to ‘Beedi Jalai Le’ from Vishal Bhardwaj’s Omkara. Wedding celebrations are incomplete without grooving to late Sri Devi’s 'Navrai Majhi' from English Vinglish. ‘Shubharambh’ from Kai Po Che, ‘Monta Re’ from – Lootera have stayed with us long after they first made their way to our hearts. These songs celebrate life. They aptly describe myriad emotions like joys of being in love and the sorrow of separation; they capture the beauty of life and death, the ultimate truth. They are raw and throbbing with passion. The compositions are relatable because they carry in them the smell of the soil. Mr". Sen feels “folk and original music are always more honest than the commercial cinema's requirement directed forced lyrics. And because such music is honest, they are more soul-stirring.” Indeed! To pen such songs is an art. To lend a voice to such beautiful compositions is an art too. Where lies the beauty of these songs, one might wonder. For me, it is all about how these songs make me feel connected, nostalgic almost. It is because these songs are the lyrical representations of myriad Indian cultures woven together by soul touching notes. Regional music upholds India's rich diversity in the most soulful manner. Each region has its own style and it is this style that acts as a differentiator. There are a plethora of songs for occasions such as weddings, engagements, and births and of planting and harvests. These are songs of hopes, melancholy, fears, and aspirations. They are real, they are raw. They help us reconnect with our inner self, the lost self, the self that was once fascinated by grandmother's tales and now feeds on nostalgia to relive forgotten times. Unfortunately, however, there are budget constraints that hinder nurturing both regional music and original compositions. Sometimes there is not enough exposure. Not all brilliantly composed and sung songs manage to make their way to the YouTube. Even if they do, they fail to become internet sensations because they lack the sheen and gloss of music videos that concentrate less on music and more on the look of their featured models. Mr. Sen is hopeful, believes “the scene is getting better with more YouTube channels, creating a platform for original music”. Music transcends all boundaries. That is why regional music must live on because nothing glorifies India’s homogenous cultural identity like they do. The showbiz industry must include more folk music in mainstream cinema. As music lovers, we would love nothing better. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Long live India's folk-song love affair

Saif Ali Khan says there was a time when music acted as a catalyst in making a film successful, but the actor is unsure if the formula still works. 
 
The 47-year-old actor, who had musical hits in films such as Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste&nbsp;and Cocktail, said experimental phase Bollywood is going through has somewhat diluted the significance of song-and-dance routine. 
 
&quot;The films would even get big opening if the songs were a hit. As we have grown or changed, there are less and less songs. I don&#39;t know if it is a good thing (or not). 
 
&quot;In the outskirts of India and rural areas, and in cabs, people listen to Hindi music a lot. I think part of hero&#39;s charm is to sing songs. I don&#39;t know if we have lost that culture (or not),&quot; Saif said. 
 
The actor was speaking at the launch of Swagpur Ka Chaudhary&nbsp;song from his upcoming film Kaalakaandi.

<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FGMzkrUpefY" width="560"></iframe> 
&quot;It is a great song. When we do a film, we need music to promote it and make it more interesting,&quot; he added. 
 
This year Saif was seen in two films - Rangoon&nbsp;and Chef. The movies, hoverer, did not do as good as expected at the box office. 
 
Talking about the year gone-by, the actor said, &quot;It wasn&#39;t particularly great professionally. But it was a very interesting experience. I learnt a lot about acting and worked with lot of wonderful people, who taught me new things. 
 
&quot;I am a changed actor to what I was when I was doing Phantom... I have managed to keep abreast and move with the current style and it is the greatest thing I could have achieved,&quot; he said. 
 
Saif added his agenda for 2018 is to keep moving ahead and the actor hopes Kaalakaandi&nbsp;impresses the audiences. 
 
Directed by Akshat Verma, the movie releases on January 12.&nbsp;

Saif Ali Khan says there was a time when music acted as a catalyst in making a film successful

Saif Ali Khan says there was a time when music acted as a catalyst in making a film successful, but the actor is unsure if the formula still works. The 47-year-old actor, who had musical hits in films such as Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste and Cocktail, said experimental phase Bollywood is going through has somewhat diluted the significance of song-and-dance routine. "The films would even get big opening if the songs were a hit. As we have grown or changed, there are less and less songs. I don't know if it is a good thing (or not). "In the outskirts of India and rural areas, and in cabs, people listen to Hindi music a lot. I think part of hero's charm is to sing songs. I don't know if we have lost that culture (or not)," Saif said. The actor was speaking at the launch of Swagpur Ka Chaudhary song from his upcoming film Kaalakaandi. "It is a great song. When we do a film, we need music to promote it and make it more interesting," he added. This year Saif was seen in two films - Rangoon and Chef. The movies, hoverer, did not do as good as expected at the box office. Talking about the year gone-by, the actor said, "It wasn't particularly great professionally. But it was a very interesting experience. I learnt a lot about acting and worked with lot of wonderful people, who taught me new things. "I am a changed actor to what I was when I was doing Phantom... I have managed to keep abreast and move with the current style and it is the greatest thing I could have achieved," he said. Saif added his agenda for 2018 is to keep moving ahead and the actor hopes Kaalakaandi impresses the audiences. Directed by Akshat Verma, the movie releases on January 12.

Part of hero's charm is to sing songs, don't know if we have lost that culture: Saif Ali Khan

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Opinion: Long live India's folk-song love affair

Part of hero's charm is to sing songs, don't know if we have lost that culture: Saif Ali Khan