Singer Alka Yagnik recently emerged as the most streamed artist of 2022 on YouTube and Spotify for the third year in a row, beating the popular K-pop bands BTS and Blackpink as well as singers like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. The 56-year-old, who has sung more than 2,400 Hindi numbers in her career, was among the most-sought-after Bollywood playback singers in the 1990s and 2000s. Here’s a look at five of her career-best romantic hits.
Gazab Ka Hai Din – Qayamat se Qayamat Tak
One of Alka’s earliest songs from the 1988 film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak cemented her role as the next generation female playback singer after the legendary sisters Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar. While every song from the Aamir Khan-Juhi Chawla-starrer became a hit, Gazab Ka Hai Din, picturised on a young and madly-in-love Rashmi (Juhi), became one of the most popular romantic songs of the decade. The song showed the inimitable chemistry between Juhi and Aamir, making them a hit onscreen pair.
Tu Shayar Hai – Saajan
The 1991 film Saajan was Alka-and-Nadeem-Shravan’s first big collaboration together. A peppy yet romantic track, Tu Shayar Hai serves as a dance number for Madhuri Dixit’s Pooja as Sanjay Dutt’s Aman is mesmerised by her beauty and talent. The song showcased one of Madhuri’s most iconic hook steps — the finger waves.
Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein Tum Bahar Banke – Raja Hindustani
Composed by Nadeem and Shravan, Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Mein Tum Bahar Banke is an emotion-filled track from the Karisma Kapoor-Aamir Khan-starrer Raja Hindustani (1996). Alka’s voice captured the emotional turmoil of Karisma’s Aarti as she gets married to Aamir’s Raja against her father’s will. The song had a lasting impact and became a template for more wedding songs to come.
Gali Mein Aaj Chaand Nikla – Zakhm
A timeless classic, Gali Mein Aaj Chaand Nikla, is one of Alka’s finest songs. Composed by M.M. Kreem, the Zakhm (1998) track brought together the flurry of emotions Pooja Bhatt feels as she opens the door for her estranged husband (Nagarjuna). The depth of the song lies in Ajay’s (Kunal Kemmu) attempt at bringing his parents together, and Alka’s voice perfectly expresses the emotions Pooja’s character feels as she sees her husband after months of painful waiting.
Tumhi Dekho Naa – Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Alka’s voice found a new charm in the early 2000s with the hit romantic track Tumhi Dekho Na. While the 2007 film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna didn’t do well at the box office, the Shankar-Eshan-Loy-composed songs from the film found a way into people’s hearts immediately. Tumhi Dekho Na captured love like never before with the blend of Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam’s magical voices together.