We've had such brilliant music composers in Bollywood that it becomes rather difficult to choose which one was the best. At times, I feel Shankar Jaikishan were the best, and as a testimony to support my choice, I often state that it is them who have won the maximum number of Filmfare Awards for Best Music. But then, the sides keep on changing when I look at SD Burman, RD Burman, Kalyanji-Anandji, Viju Shah, Vishal-Shekhar, S-E-L, and so on...
RD Burman was nothing less than a Scientist. The amount of experiments he's done with music and instruments, I doubt whether even Einstein did so many with Physics. His father SD Burman was not just his father, he was actually the BAAP of music! Then I look at Kalyanji Anandji, and I think that their fast paced music, their rhythms are unparalleled. Also, no one can give a background score as effective as them. The only person who can perhaps beat them in music arrangement or background music is Kalyanji's son Viju Shah. Of course, it was Viju who also arranged most of their amazing music.
Cut To: New Generation! The 90s started, and Anu Malik largely dominated the scene. And apart from the allegations of "Garam Chai", I believe that Anu Malik is one of the most amazing musician our industry has ever seen. The amount of amazing originals he has composed is beyond imagination. He has one of the best sense of arrangement. AR Rahman has remained largely constant, except for movies like "Jhootha Hi Sahi". He's done us proud by winning the Oscar and his life is an inspiration for many, including me. His music has been different and beyond description. 90s ended too soon, and by the time I started understanding music properly, Vishal-Shekhar, S-E-L and Pritam had entered the industry. I commend Pritam for the fact that inspite of copying, he turned the original songs into brilliant pieces of music, full of life. Vishal-Shekhar started off like Rajdhani superfast, but somewhere down the line changed their track and have become too commercial off late. Break Ke Baad, I Hate Luv Stories are all examples of how even the most amazing people can go off track.
You might have noticed, I spoke about so many musicians but I missed the best of all. Jatin-Lalit. Now you might be wondering I've changed sides like I always do! But yes, Jatin-Lalit have something different to them. Their compositions remind us of RD Burman, yet they are largely original. The fact is that they are so melodious and amazing, that the only parallel we can draw is RD Burman. Their arrangement was always a step ahead than Anu Malik's (all thanks to Bablu Chakravarty, who was also the assistant arranger for RD Burman and son of Basu Chakravarty, RD's chief assistant). Let's take a closer look at their work.
Jatin-Lalit's Masterpieces1. They started off with Yaara Dildara, which had BIN TERE SANAM! The song is still a rage, and the remixes still play in Discos across the World.
2. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander followed soon in 1992. Who can forget "Woh Sikander Hi Doston.. Kehlata Hai"? The song is an anthem for youth, in every generation!
3. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa came in 1993, and had brilliant songs like Woh to Hai Albela, Deewana, Dil Deewana, Aye Kaash Ke Hum...!
4. The ultimate love soundtrack - Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge came in 1995, and swept away all possible records! (And it's still playing at Maratha Mandir, 11:30 am!)
With Yes Boss, Pyaar to Hona Hi Tha, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya, they created benchmark after benchmark in compositions!
Sarfarosh deserves a special mention here. The kind of mood the songs created for each sequence largely affected the movie, and the brilliant masterpiece became a notch higher. The ghazal sequence with "Hosh walon ko khabar kya", is sung even today by people across all age groups. "Zindagi Maut Naa Ban Jaaye" is every Sufi lovers choice, where has "Jo Haal Dil Ka" is the ultimate romantic scene anyone can project.
Sadly, Jatin-Lalit decided to part ways in 2006, but not before they gave their last yet best work in the form of FANAA. Chand Sifarish broke all records and set the new standards. It won the Filmfare for the best song of the year. It had "Mere Haath Mein" too, with amazing performance by Sonu Niigaam and Sunidhi Chauhan.
All in all, I simply would sum it up in a couple of words. Jatin-Lalit are the best..
