Very often do we end up loving songs, but refuse to acknowledge the people behind them…. unless it happens to be an A R Rahman track. For me, Sandesh Shandilya‘s music always made an instant connect – like Khayyam, Anu Malik and Ravi saab’s music did to me. ‘My kind of music’ is what I would summarize Sandesh’s compositions as. Melodious, versatile, not-so-simplistic tunes that are easy on the ears – that sums up Sandesh Shandilya’s style. Bollywood, for a fact, has overlooked this wonderful musician for whatever reasons! As he celebrates his birthday on 8th of April, here’s a compilation of Sandesh Shandilya tracks that you probably didn’t know were his!
Suraj Hua Maddham (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham)
Aaoge Jab Tum (Jab We Met)
Piya Basanti (Piya Basanti)
Leja Leja Re (Ustad & The Divas)
O Yaara Rab (Socha Na Tha)
We love the soundtrack as much as we love this breezy caper of a film. Imtiaz Ali shouldn’t have ditched his favourite composer from earlier days in his recent films. Sandesh Shandilya, for sure, knew the pulse of Imtiaz’s characters and this song – for starters – is a striking proof.
Bhaage Re Mann (Chameli)
Just like its lead protagonist, Chameli‘s soundtrack has a heart of gold. Sort of mysterious tune with some fantastic choice of instruments, this smooth melody with a touch of melancholy is often considered Sunidhi Chauhan’s best. Udit Narayan’s Jaane Hua Hai Aaj Kya… is another gem from the film.
Chhodo Na Mujhe (Rules: Pyar Ka Superhit Formula)
Quite easy to ears with a lazy lounge feel, this Kunal Ganjawala song was reasonably popular when it released. I was surprised when someone recently crooned it at a random gig. It quickly sent me on a nostalgia trip to early 2000s. Having said that, each song of this OST is worth a listen and my favourite is this unique duet by KK and Sanjeevani.
Sarphira Sa Hai Dil (Love You… Mr Kalakaar)
One of Sandesh’s recent compositions, Sarphira Sa Hai Dil is infectious. Listen to it twice and you’ll hum it the third time around. I like how he played around with the robust vocals of Neeraj Sridhar and even Shreya Ghoshal sounds different from the usual. Bhure Bhure Badal is yet another superb melody from this soundtrack.
Pyaar Ke Geet (Pyaar Ke Geet)
This album featuring Shubha Mudgal and Sukhwinder Singh created decent buzz for Sandesh in the music industry. The songs and the videos featuring real life couple Arbaaz and Malaika Arora Khan were a rage back in the 90s. All of 20 back then, Sandesh proved himself to be an early bloomer.
You Are My Sonia (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham)
Remember those school and college functions that weren’t complete without this oh-so-hep track? Kareena Kapoor in a dazzling red bustier wasn’t the only reason to replay it today. High on energy and attitude, this snazzily composed and performed number is amongst Sandesh’s most popular ones.
Few less heard ones too…
Makhmali Yeh Badan (Road)
Haiye Re (Ustad & The Divas)
A simple, lullaby-tinged melody in the angelic voice of K S Chitra! This, for me, was the best song of Ustad & The Divas. Hear it to believe it.
Dole Re (Agni Varsha)
Jee Na Jalaiyo Re (Dus Tola)
Watch out how Sunidhi Chauhan and Sukhwinder Singh totally win us over as they smoothly sail from low to high pitches (in individual solos). Winsome lyrics by Gulzar saab is the icing on the cake!
Piya (Big Brother)
If there was one good thing in this sorry feature film, it was Sandesh Shandilya’s soundtrack. This melodious Shreya Ghoshal ditty had a lot of takers during its release.
Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai (Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai)
Sunidhi Chauhan’s robust vocals and Richard Clayderman‘s piano to back her. WOAH!!!! One sensational number that went completely unnoticed as the film came out cropper at the box office. What a lovely soundtrack Uuf Kya Jaadoo Mohabbat Hai was!
All said and done, Sandesh Shandilya remains an underrated, under-utilised composer in modern times. The musician extracted the best out of his favourites viz. the late Ustad Sultan Khan, K S Chitra, Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Sanjeevani and KK. Hope to hear more from this maverick composer who will always remain my favourite.
