#BingeRewind: 2025 marks the return of the rhythmic heartbeat of Bollywood music!

From Saiyaara’s soul-stirring melodies to Dhurandhar’s electrifying rhythms, here’s how Bollywood music found its way back to the beats it had lost along the way!

Music is the rhythm of life, something that exists even in the most mundane routines. Which is why it slowly became a point of deliberation how Bollywood had seemingly lost its sense of music, especially films that were supposed to be deeply structured around music. It is often the first thing released to generate buzz around a film, and later, it becomes the strongest recall trigger, where hearing a tune instantly transports you back to the emotions it once stirred. And now, we only have a handful of trending songs or beats we can momentarily tap into.

Just when things began to feel worrisome, this year proved that Hindi cinema hadn’t lost its music, it had merely lost its way, and was slowly finding it again. Whether it was via reworking qawwalis by blending them with street rap to create a sound the new generation could sink its teeth into or by rediscovering soul-stirring melodies that evoke emotion without worrying about trends, something shifted. Musical albums in 2025 went beyond becoming just 30-second trends; they became music again!

Also Read: 2025: The year that brought back men who yearn!

Here's what we're referring to! 

Dhurandhar

There is no denying that the film's music is a standout chartbuster. Whether it’s the blending of an old-school qawwali with street rap or reimagining familiar sounds with a new-age rhythm, Shashwat Sachdev uses music in strikingly original ways, including international songs. The soundtrack develops a language of its own, one that transports you back in time while still feeling deeply rooted in the present. The album understands how to speak to today’s generation - one that revels in nostalgia but still craves faster, contemporary beats.

Saiyaara

If any film’s marketing this year relied heavily on music and made it work, it was Saiyaara. From the release of the title track to unveiling the full album, the film leaned entirely on its music, bringing back the duo of Mithoon and Mohit Suri. Together, they revived the emotional core of music as Vaani in the film states that songs born from real moments and emotions carry a timeless power. The album immortalises falling in love with melodies, capturing fleeting moments and fading memories, reminding us that while the mind may forget, the heart remembers through music. 

Metro… In Dino

Even though Anurag Basu’s film may feel musically overwhelming to some given how it was a full-fledged musical featuring a live band, there’s no denying that when Pritam and his band break into song, it feels like this is what we’ve been waiting for. While it may not recreate the exact magic of Life in a… Metro, it comes close. For many, like me, who enjoy lyrical context, the sung portions work beautifully, provided one listens closely to what’s being said. The album, divided into Side A and Side B, may take time to grow on you, but once it does, there’s no turning back.

Aap Jaisa Koi

The film's music emerged as a delightful surprise. There’s a softness to the soundtrack that recalls the charm of older films, paired with the pulse of contemporary beats. It’s as though the music balances a rebellious heart with a respectful mind, flowing effortlessly between nostalgia and modernity.

The Ba***ds of Bollywood

Once again Shashwat Sachdev shows his brilliance with The Ba***ds of Bollywood. It’s rare for a series to feature a full-fledged album like a Bollywood film, but this show embraces that format wholeheartedly. From romantic tracks to the villain’s introduction and emotionally driven pieces, each song earns its place. Music functions like a film album, unafraid to experiment while retaining its core essence, one that knows how to become a 30 second Reel trend but also go beyond that too!

Sitaare Zameen Par

Despite having only a handful of songs, the film’s music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy mirrors its emotional heart perfectly. There’s a playful goofiness paired with warmth and hope almost as if the soundtrack borrows its emotional rhythm from the neurodivergent characters at its centre. This music radiates sunshine, joy and sincerity.

Dhadak 2

While the film offers limited space for music, the tracks it does include carry the weight of its subject matter. Tracks like Bas Ek Dhadak, Ye Kaisa Ishq and Tu Meri Dhadak Hai flows like a romantic ballad tinged with the tragedy of falling in love that society doesn't allow, while dance numbers like Bawaria becomes a brief moment of release, reminding us that even amid heaviness, everyone deserves moments of joy.

Nishaanchi

The music mirrors the film itself - strange, twisted, funky, and undeniably vibey. It has the potential to evoke comparisons with Gangs of Wasseypur, yet it remains distinctly its own. The title track, Filam Dekho, especially captures the essence of this two-part film, serving as both a tribute to cinema that shapes us and a declaration of its own originality.

Gustaakh Ishq

Though the songs are few, they remind us that music is about weaving poetry into melody, something that allows you to lose yourself while wanting to belong within it. The collaboration brings back the magic of Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar, not necessarily at their peak, but with enough soul to be held close during moments of quiet loneliness, as if poetry found its sound!

Which other music album did this for you? Tell us in the comments below!

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This article is a part of our #LetsKetchup series that sums up the year from our perspective!