The chaos of Indian movies and Indians clutching the content and sentiments of Hollywood has been at the fore for a long time now. However, we aren’t disavowing the western influence either, for ‘influence’ is what makes you the ‘culture’ that you often boast of as a tribe. Whether it’s back to the times when new verbal languages formed or dance genres or even music, the ‘influence’ has always brought in the magic that coerced to create the stimulating ‘art’ as we all call it. The unpremeditated takeaways that we all take from these different cultures, tribes and countries are what make our own very ‘instinct’ unique. And it’s not just Indians taking from the western countries or let’s say ‘Hollywood’ for the sake of its commercial hullabaloo. Because sometimes, it is also the other way around! In terms of music, in terms of paintings, in terms of dance forms, in terms of rituals, practices and more.
India as a whole has always been a progressive root to behold for any aspiring artist. It has always been very accepting of different cultures, different art forms and more. But you know to have that kind of ‘broader shoulder’ to embrace other ‘artistry’ from the other ‘boundaries’ all across the globe; somewhere calls for a ‘necessity’ to have a better and enhanced enriched culture. True to that, India has truly been rich when it comes to its very own artistic roots. And one branch that has sprawled all over the world is Indian music. Whether classical, Bollywood pop or any other, India’s contribution to ‘music’ is unparallel.
This brings us to some of the iconic Bollywood songs which were used in Hollywood movies, not very ‘surprisingly’ just like how Bollywood often picks up on the Hollywoodish nuances in its movies.
1. Lord Of War (2005) – A.R. Rahman’s Bombay theme song
A.R. Rahman’s iconic Bombay theme song was used in Andrew Niccol’s directorial Lord of War
2. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)- Mohammad Rafi’s Mera Mann Tera Pyasa and Wada Na Tod
In the movie Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, back in 2004, two of Mohammad Rafi’s songs were used.
3. Inside Man (2006)- Dil Se’s Chaiyya Chaiyya
Dil Se Chaiyya Chaiyya still gives us those fresh visuals of SRK dancing to the song on the Railway rooftop and Malaika Arora’s sensuous moves adding more zeal to it. However, the song was used in the Hollywood movie Inside Man back in 2006.
4. Shaun Of The Dead (2004)- Kishore Kumar’s Lehron Ki Tarah Yaadein
In the movie Shaun Of The Dead, there’s a scene when the main character walks in during the Zombie apocalypse. An announcement in Hindi was made in the voiceover and there is when Kishore Kumar’s Lehron Ki Tarah Yaadein was played.
5. Deadpool (2016)- Singer Mukhesh’ Mera Joota Hai Japani
India’s legendary singer Mukhesh’s song ‘Mera Joota Hai Japani’s inclusion in the hilarious Ryan Reynold starrer still has a special place in all of our hearts. The movie also had another Bollywood song Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)
6. Moulin Rouge (2001)- China Gate’s Chamma Chamma
One of the iconic movies from 2001, starring Nicole Kidman-Ewan McGregor featured the groovy song from the movie China Gate, Chamma Chamma.
7. Lion (2016)- A.R. Rahman’s Urvashi
The Dev Patel starrer Lion featured, Rahman’s one of the finest creations ‘Urvashi’
8. You Don’t Mess With The Johan (2008)- Disco Dancer’s Jimmy Jimmy
The infamous song from the Mithun Chakraborty starrer movie Disco Dancer, Jimmy Jimmy was played in the movie You Don’t Mess With The Johan, from 2008, during a fight sequence.
