While some songs revolve around Mumbai, others are picturised here (Representational Images/Mid-day File Pics)
'Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan', C.I.D. (1956)
The ‘City of Dreams’ gives innumerable moments to cherish, but the happiness is not always unconditional. With aspirations comes struggle, and there’s hardly any city that embodies this dichotomy better than Mumbai. Surviving here isn’t always easy and the song ‘Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan’, written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, composed by O.P. Nayyar and sung by Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt, perfectly captures the ‘not-so-rosy’ shade of the city. Featuring iconic locations like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Marine Drive promenade, the song gives a reality check of the hustle and bustle of Mumbai, where everyone wants to get somewhere; but it also highlights the unique character of the city. And almost 70 years later, people still relate to it, because sometimes, “Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan, zara hatt ke zara bach ke, yeh hai Bombay meri jaan.” (Representational Image: Mid-day file pic)
'Yeh Hai Bambai Nagariya', Don (1978)
If there’s one song that encapsulates Mumbai’s cosmopolitan nature and its reputation as the ‘City of Dreams’ while also highlighting the diversity and inequalities that exist here, it’s ‘Yeh Hai Bambai Nagariya’, written by Anjaan, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Kishore Kumar. Shot in Mumbai with the Taj Mahal Hotel in the backdrop, the song is a commentary on different aspects of the city, including people’s behaviours and names of places. While it upholds Mumbai’s perception as the city that people take a chance on, hoping that it will give them what they seek, it also highlights the eccentricities and disparities that exist here. As the lyrics go, “Koi malamaal hai, koi tang haal hai, zindagi yahan ki nirali." (Representational Image: File Pic/AFP)
'In Dino', Life in a Metro (2007)
'Life in a Metro' depicts different shades of love in Mumbai, and the song ‘In Dino’, written by Sayeed Quadri, composed by Pritam and sung by Soham Chakraborty, perfectly captures its essence. Beyond the stories in the film, the song is an ode to numerous friendships, relationships and tales of love that have blossomed in different settings of Mumbai. From a comforting smile in the midst of Mumbai local train rush to a long drive in the city, love finds a place here in simple gestures and heartfelt moments. In the ‘city that never stops’, the song serves as a reminder to not only connect with others, but also yourself. “Jab mile thodi fursat, khud se kar le tu mohabbat,” it says. Some scenes in the song also feature rain in the backdrop, solidifying the romance between Mumbai and monsoon. (Representational Image: File Pic/AFP)
'Kabhi Kabhi Aditi', Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)
Mumbai is more than just people rushing for their jobs, struggling to achieve their dreams. It has a lot to offer, and one of the most underrated yet exciting aspects of being in the city is the vibrant student life. While the song ‘Kabhi Kabhi Aditi’ isn’t about the city, it follows the storyline of college life in Mumbai and was largely shot at St. Xavier’s College in the city. The heartwarming lyrics of the song and the plot prove that despite the busy lives of the city, Mumbaikars still find time for friendships and living life to the fullest. After all, “Maana kabhi kabhi saare jahaan mein andhera hota hai, lekin raat ke baad hee toh savera hota hai.” Besides the college, some parts of the song, which is written by Abbas Tyrewala, composed by A.R. Rahman and sung by Rashid Ali, also feature Bandra Fort with the almost-finished Bandra-Worli Sea Link in the background, which was inaugurated in 2009 – a year after the film was released. (Representational Image: File Pic/Ashish Raje)
'Iktara', Wake Up Sid (2009)
The entire movie seems like a tribute to Mumbai, encapsulating its different truths, but the song ‘Iktara’, written by Javed Akhtar, composed by Amit Trivedi and sung by Kavita Seth and Amitabh Bhattacharya, holds a special place among the songs that will make you fall in love with the city while also questioning your path here. Many people come to Mumbai to fulfill their dreams, and in this process, end up giving their all. But what after that? “Sunn rahi hoon sudh budh khoke koi mai kahaani, poori kahaani hai kya kise hai pata,” embodies just that feeling. In a city where you will always be surrounded by people, it isn’t uncommon for loneliness to strike. And in situations like this, everyone finds solace in different things – another emotion that the song beautifully expresses. It is shot across landmark locations in Mumbai including Marine Drive and the city’s beaches. (Representational Image: Mid-day file pic)
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