While Lata Mangeshkar is known for her evergreen songs filmed on yesteryear divas like Jaya Bachchan, Hema Malini, Tanuja, Zeenat Aman, Mumtaz, and Asha Parekh, she also lent her melodious voice to numerous 90s icons, leaving an indelible mark on the era’s cinematic landscape.
Lata Mangeshkar, often hailed as India’s Nightingale, had an illustrious career spanning over seven decades. Born on September 28, 1929, she began her career at the tender age of 13 in 1942 and went on to record songs for over a thousand Hindi films and in more than 36 regional Indian and foreign languages. An awardee of the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, Lata Mangeshkar passed away at the age of 92 on February 6, 2022.
The singer’s portfolio is a treasure trove, capturing the essence of various cinematic eras. While she is predominantly associated with the golden age of Indian cinema, her versatile voice also graced films featuring 90s heroines, adding to her timeless appeal.
**Iconic Songs of the 90s Featuring the Nightingale’s Voice**
**Mere Khwabon Mein – Kajol**
This memorable track is from ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ (DDLJ), a romantic drama released in 1995 under the direction of Aditya Chopra. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, DDLJ has earned a legendary status in Indian cinema. It is the tale of Raj and Simran, who fall in love during a European tour but have to overcome cultural and familial hurdles to be together. The movie highlights the clash between modern love and traditional values, a theme beautifully encapsulated by Lata’s vocals in “Mere Khwabon Mein.”
**Tu Mere Saamne – Juhi Chawla**
In the 1993 thriller ‘Darr’, directed by Yash Chopra, Lata’s voice lent emotional depth to the track featuring Juhi Chawla and Shah Rukh Khan. SRK’s character, Rahul, is an obsessive lover whose fixation on Juhi’s character, Kiran, drives the film’s narrative. Rahul’s tragic end at the hands of Sunil (Sunny Deol) brought the chilling story to a close. ‘Darr’ was celebrated for its gripping plot and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
**Koi Ladki Hai (Chak Dum Dum) – Madhuri Dixit**
The 1997 film ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’, directed by Yash Chopra, showcased Lata’s ability to bring magic to any musical composition. This track, featuring Madhuri Dixit, is a radiant part of the film’s love-triangle narrative that also starred Shah Rukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor. The film won three National Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Karisma Kapoor and Best Choreography for Shaimak Davar.
. Akshay Kumar also made a notable guest appearance.
**Jiya Jale – Preity Zinta**
Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se…’ marked Preity Zinta’s impressive Bollywood debut in 1998. The film, which completed a trilogy of terrorism-focused dramas after ‘Roja’ and ‘Bombay’, was set against the political turmoil in Northeast India. ‘Jiya Jale’, sung by Lata, remains one of the most enchanting elements of the film. The movie was particularly successful overseas, marking a milestone by entering the UK box office’s top 10, and earning two National Film Awards.
**Humko Humise Chura Lo – Aishwarya Rai Bachchan**
In ‘Mohabbatein’, Aditya Chopra’s 2000 directorial venture, the soulful rendition by Lata brought poignancy to the romantic sequences featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. The blockbuster film also featured an ensemble cast including Jimmy Sheirgill, Shamita Shetty, Uday Chopra, Jugal Hansraj, Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, Archana Puran Singh, and Kim Sharma. Following the stupendous success of DDLJ, ‘Mohabbatein’ solidified Chopra’s reputation as a master storyteller.
**Jaane Dil Mein – Rani Mukerji and Andekhi Anjaani – Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukerji**
These tracks from ‘Mujhse Dosti Karoge’ (2002) brought together leading ladies of the 90s in a narrative that centered around complex friendships and romantic entanglements. Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Hrithik Roshan, and Rani Mukerji, the film’s music, punctuated by Lata’s melodious voice, remains memorable.
Lata Mangeshkar, often referred to as the ‘Queen of Melody’ and ‘India’s Nightingale’, started with the 1948 film ‘Majboor’ and the song ‘Dil Mera Toda, Mujhe Kahin Ka Na Chhora’. Her contributions to Indian music are unparalleled and her influence, irreplaceable. As we celebrate her birth anniversary on September 28, 2024, it is clear that her legacy continues to be a source of inspiration for generations of music lovers.
