Readers Pick: Ten Songs That Became Instant Hits!

Shaikh Ayaz in Mumbai

After the Why This Kolaveri Di phenomenon swept across India, we asked you, dear readers, to tell us other such songs that went on to become instant hits in their time.

There are times when a song becomes a bigger hit than the movie it is featured in.

More than ever before, filmmakers now make every effort to fit such songs in, for the obvious benefit of the marketers who can then promote it to the optimum.

There are of course genuine exceptions to the rule. For instance, the success of Why This Kolaveri Di cannot be credited to a publicist's marketing skills.

It is you, the reader, audience, listener who determines what should work and what shouldn't. Well, then here's the result of your choice of songs that became an instant rage:

Chammak Chhallo, Ra.One

Akon's voice reached out to millions of Indian listeners with this chartbuster. It has an unforgettable hook; combined with SRK's charm and Kareena Kapoor's sexy moves (looking fuller than her usual size zero self), Chammak Challo packs quite a punch.

Sadda Haq, Rockstar

Director Imtiaz Ali proves he's a true successor to the Vijay Anand-Raj Khosla-Navketan tradition by displaying a superlative taste in music throughout his career.

Performed live by Jordan, Saadda Haq is rebellious, defiant even.

Bhaag DK Bose, Delhi Belly

One of the most original soundtracks in recent years, Ram Sampath's composition captures the spirit -- and language -- of our times.

Accepted by the youth and abhorred by the purists, Bhaag D K Bose is an audacious mould-breaker.

Dhinka Chika, Ready

Recreated from the Tamil foot-tapper Ringa Ringa, the Salman Khan version worked simply because of its tapori-style tempo.

Salman's trademark moves add heft.

Kajra Re, Bunty Aur Babli

Written with imaginative prowess by Gulzar and set to tune by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, most people don't realise that Kajra Re marries qawwali with folk elements, capturing the UP-Delhi flavour like no other song did.

The Bachchan family's presence is a Diwali bonus.

Aati Kya Khandala, Ghulam

This is the kind of song Rangeela's Munna would have enjoyed serenading Mili with.

Instead, Aamir Khan lends his voice to impress Rani Mukerji in this On The Waterfront rip-off. The impact was so powerful that it brought the hitherto-little known hill station Khandala to national focus; suddenly there were more tourists than ever before.

Chaiyya Chaiyya, Dil Se

Dil Se sank but the song survived.

SRK climbed atop the moving train, never to look back. Chhaiyya Chhaiyya is another joint musical achievement by A R Rahman-Gulzar.

Kallu Mama, Satya

There's an absolute anarchy here. Sloshed, grimy gangsters break into impromptu number with the underworld entry-level rhyme.

Yet, Kallu Mama is a rare gem that shall always be associated with the grammar of Hindi mafia genre.

Jumma Chumma, Hum

If there's any single image that defines the Bachchan of 1990s, it is this; picturised with panache by Mukul S Anand and set to music with considerable mass appeal by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

Ek Do Teen, Tezaab

The Madhuri Dixit image was built on Ek Do Teen.

Composed by LP for Tezaab, this was a national cry at a time when all of us were mad about Madhuri.

PS: M F Husain was a later convert.

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