The 'Punjabi Gali' of Bollywood Music

For a country as diverse as India, the film industry happens to be the largest and most effective medium to bring attention to the various cultures. Music is one aspect of Bollywood that is massively popular nationally and globally - both original and not, might we add. In this article, we focus on the 'not' in respect to the usage of existing Punjabi songs (and Punjabi singers) in Bollywood movies.


Lehmber Hussainpuri, a much celebrated musician in the Punjabi music industry released the song "Sadi Gali" nearly six years ago. At that time, the song became extremely popular among the Punjabi community in India and abroad. Recently, the song was used without any changes whatsoever in the 2011 Kangana Ranaut starrer, Tanu Weds Manu. If anything at all, we thank Bollywood for not adding a 'Bollywood' twist to the energetic Punjabi bhangra song for it holds a great amount of memories for many. As a side note, we all know the terror that Bhangra-Bollywood fusions are.


Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for this classic Punjabi song that was sung by the popular Punjabi music producer Dr. Zeus, in 2003. The song that shot Dr. Zeus to fame with its overnight success, specifically in the United Kingdom, was first heard in Bollywood in 2012 in Chaar Din Ki Chandni featuring Tusshar Kapoor and Kulraj Randhawa. The unnecessary remix of a hip-hop styled song with tasteless sounds and beats tainted a once appreciated number. BollyCurry will definitely be sticking to the original one this time around. Nice (not) try, Bollywood. 


Contrary to popular belief, "Angreji Beat", the song that introduced rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh to the world of Bollywood, was first released in 2013 to the Punjabi music community. However, at that time, the content of the rapper's songs was causing quite a controversial atmosphere among the Punjabi community. Perhaps if the song was not showcased in the movie Cocktail a year later, Honey Singh may not have been a known name today. We'd have to admit Honey, Bollywood was definitely a blessing in disguise for your slowly dying career in the Punjabi music industry where hostility had become your best friend. On another note (pun intended), we've always wondered how Gippy Grewal, who carries the entire number on his back happens to get zero credit for his song?


Kanika Kapoor entered into the Punjabi music industry with her song, "Jugni Ji" produced by Dr. Zeus, a remix of the original. Almost a year later, she was seen singing "Baby Doll" in Ekta Kapoor's Ragini MMS 2. In this case, the song is original but sung by a singer that previously existed, and was later discovered by Bollywood. "Baby Doll" is sung nearly completely in Punjabi with the exception of a lyric here and there. Most recently, she was heard once again singing "Lovely" in Happy New Year. Our verdict on the previous song though? Not worth the hype it created.


"Ambarsariya" is an age old Punjabi folk song that has been sung by various singers in the Punjabi music industry since decades and generations. The most popular version of the folk song happens to be a production by the now dissolved British Punjabi band that was once known as RDB. A changed version of the RDB song was released by Bollywood in the film Fukrey (2013) sung by Sona Mohapatra. B-Town deemed it fit to alter the lyrics of a Punjabi folklore traditional song into Hindi lyrics save for the chorus. In short, we disapprove greatly. When songs such as 'Baby Doll' can exist entirely in Punjabi, what could possibly be the reason to not allow the same for a folk song?


This, just as 'Sadi Gali' happens to be a pre-existing song that was picked up and introduced in the film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) without any alterations (excluding the inclusion of the female lyrics). The original was sung by British Punjabi singer Indeep Bakshi and was first heard by producer Karan Johar at Shah Rukh Khan's Eid party. Awed almost instantly, Johar sought the Punjabi singer out and the name Indeep Bakshi was made a household name very shortly. In all honesty, the song was cut out for Bollywood with its mediocre lyrics and jumpy beats, but to each their own.


Imran Khan, the British Punjabi singer popular for his R&B styled music finally made it big in the glamorous world of Bollywood with his song "Let's Celebrate" for the Arjun Kapoor and Sonakshi starrer, Tevar (2015). The party number is mostly in English with Punjabi lyrics thrown in wherever it was found appropriate. Aside from the fact that we're very much tired of the social network themed songs, this one clearly did not have it all to top the charts. Better luck next time, Khan!


For a woman such as Hard Kaur, an introduction is no longer necessary. She's made a mark for herself in the Punjabi music industry and Bollywood alike. However, the man that is now being introduced into B-Town is a legendary Canadian Punjabi singer known for his Bhangra songs, Jazzy B. We can't say much about the movie but with almost the entire Punjabi music industry jumping in for the music, the album may just top the charts.

Expecting originality from Bollywood is an extremely high expectation but when it comes to music, perhaps it may even be smart? Ready-made music has proved to be a much needed boon for the industry when it came to Punjabi music. While some have gone on to our 'must listen' list, others have been added to the 'must never listen' list thanks to unwanted remixes. If we've missed out any of your favorites, let us know below!

Writer: Harjot D.
Editors: Shreya S. & Gunia K.
Graphics: Saraa K.