I have been an online writer for over five years. I am passionate about books, philosophy, music, and the music industry.

While rock music has been popular in most parts of the world for many years, the genre has only recently made its way into Hindi films. In the past, Bollywood films have showcased traditional Indian classical music. However, in recent decades, Bollywood has embraced more western genres. This article showcases the very best rock songs the industry has to offer.

Top 10 Best Bollywood Rock Songs

1. “Nadaan Parinde”—Rockstar
2. “Tum Ho Toh”—Rock On!!
3. “Ae Dil Hai Mushkil”—Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
4. “Mitwa”—Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
5. “Kabira”—Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
6. “Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai”—Gangster
7. “Main Khudha”—Paanch
8. “Oh Meri Jaan”—Life in a…Metro
9. “Sunn Raha Hai”—Aashiqui 2
10. “Dooriyan”—Love Aaj Kal

What Are Bollywood Rock Songs?

Bollywood rock songs blend a diverse number of Indian sounds with Western rock influences. This phenomenon began to emerge at the end of the ‘90s. This slick guitar-oriented sound has become common in modern Bollywood films. Since the year 2000, a number of Hindi films have blended influences from rock genres with Eastern scales to create unique sounds.

Best Bollywood Rock Songs #11—20

11. “Bekhayali”—Kabir Singh

12. “Sadda Haq”—Rockstar

13. “Kalank”—Kalank

14. “Bheegi Bheegi”—Gangster

15. “Yaaron”—Rockford

16. “Saadi Galli Aaja”—Nautanki Saala!

17. “Zara Sa”—Jannat

18. “Dhunki”—Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

19. “Bhaag D.K. Bose”—Delhi Belly

20. “The Hook Up Song”—Student of the Year 2

Rock Music in Bollywood

The Sufi rock movement has become rather popular in mainstream Bollywood. Rock compositions based on Sufi themes have become exceedingly popular with youth. A number of young music directors have redefined the norms of musical structure in Bollywood. This new league of music directors have crafted a unique rock sound by blending influences from diverse genres. Bollywood rock music truly has a unique identity, often using acoustic instruments and Indian percussive patterns.

Best Bollywood Rock Songs #21—40

21. “Pehli Nazar Mein”—Race

22. “Jaago”—Rock On 2

23. “Khamoshiyan”—Khamoshiyan

24. “Zinda”—Bharat

25. “Garaj Baras”—Paap

26. “Zaroorat”—Ek Villain

27. “Woh Din”—Chhichhore

28. “Bandeh”—Indian Ocean

29. “Tum Hi Ho”—Aashiqui 2

30. “Jo Bhi Main”—Rockstar

31. “Tum Mile”—Tum Mile

32. “Bulleya”—Aye Dil Hai Mushkil

33. “Dooriyan Bhi Hain Zaroori”—Break Ke Baad

34. “Tum Hi Aana”—Marjaavan

35. “Yeh Hai Meri Kahani”—Zinda

36. “Tujhko Jo Paaya”—Crook

37. “Rock On”—Rock On!!

38. “Dil Tu Hi Bataa”—Krrish 3

39. “Jeena Jeena”—Badlapur

40. “Tera Hone Laga Hoon”—Ajab Prek Ki Ghazab Kahani

Bollywood Rock Ballads and Rock Love Songs

Rock ballads have become popular in Bollywood romance films. A number of youth-oriented films showcase these riff-laden rock songs in exciting ways. Aside from their complex instrumentation, these songs also have some thought-provoking lyrics that heighten the emotional intensity in these Hindi films. These songs sometimes blend the improvisational elements of Indian classical music with the power chords and distorted guitar that is more common in American rock music. In fact, a number of young, classically trained Hindustani singers showcase their exceptional vocal ranges in these Sufi rock songs. The gut-wrenching emotion in Hindi rock songs appeals to a wide range of audiences not only in the Indian subcontinent, but also in the U.S. and Europe.

Best Bollywood Rock Songs #41—60

41. “Khalbali”—Rang De Basanti

42. “Kaise Hua”—Kabir Singh

43. “Dhuaan”—Fugly

44. “Chhil Gaye Naina”—NH10

45. “Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga”—Half Girlfriend

46. “Le Ja Tu Mujhe”—F.A.L.T.U.

47. “Pareshaan”—Ishaqzaade

48. “Ke Bin Tere Jeena Nahi”—Aggar

49. “Alvida”—Life in a…Metro

50. “Challa”—Jab Tak Hai Jaan

51. “Be Intehaan”—Race 2

52. “Tujhe Kitna Chahne Lage”—Kabir Singh

53. “Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein”—Zeher

54. “Socha Hai”—Rock On!!

55. “Main Kya Karoon”—Barfi

56. “Toota Jo Kabhi Tara”—A Flying Jatt

57. “Aao Na”—Haider

58. “Teri Meri Kahani”—Gabbar Is Back

59. “Har Kisi Ko”—Boss

60. “Kurbaan Hua”—Kurbaan

Lyrics and Themes in Hindi Rock Songs

Bollywood rock songs showcase a plethora of emotions. A number of songs from Hindi films are filled with angsty lyrical themes, which have become popular with youth. Dark and thematic concepts have become hugely popular in Hindi rock songs. Some Sufi rock songs, which tend to have more thought-provoking lyrics, have gained cult followings around the globe.

While Bollywood rock songs have only recently become popular, these songs have had a global impact on the genre. In the days ahead, we are going to hear many more rock songs coming out of Bollywood.

If you are a die-hard fan of Bollywood music, you'll definitely have something to say. Feel free to express yourself in the comments section.

Best Bollywood Rock Songs #61—80

61. “Ghar”—Jab Harry Met Sally

62. “Jee Karda”—Badlapur

63. “Shayrana”—Daawat-e-Ishq

64. “Beete Lamhein”—The Train

65. “Rishtey”—Life in a…Metro

66. “Sinabad the Sailor”—Rock On!!

67. “Bhula Dena”—Aashiqui 2

68. “Yeh Aaina”—Kabir Singh

69. “Aakhri Alvida”—Shootout at Lokhandwala

70. “Udja Re”—Rock On 2

71. “Give Me Some Shine”—3 Idiots

72. “Khuda Jaane”—Bachna Ae Haseeno

73. “Phir Se Ud Chala”—Rockstar

74. “Khair Mangda”—A Flying Jatt

75. “Milne Hai Mujhse Aayi”—Aashiqui 2

76. “Pehli Baar Mohabbat”—Mohit Chauhan

77. “Jeene Laga Hoon”—Ramaiya Vastavaiya

78. “Kaun Hoon Main”—Prince

79. “Baatein Kuch Ankahein Si”—Life in a…Metro

80. “Ek Toh Kum Zindagani”—Marjaavaan

Best Bollywood Rock Songs #81—100

81. “Ya Ali”—Gangster

82. “Maahi (Rock With Me)”—Raaz: The Mystery Continues

83. “In Dino”—Life in a…Metro

84. “Khairiyat”—Chhichhore

85. “Maula Tu Malik Hai”—Inkaar

86. “Khaabon Ke Parinday”—Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

87. “Pichle Saat Dino Mein”—Rock On!!

88. “Jiyein Kyun”—Dum Maaro Dum

89. “Dil Dhadakne Do”—Dil Dhadakne Do

90. “Tu Har Lamha”—Khamoshiyan

91. “Pehla Pyaar”—Kabir Singh

92. “Yaariyan”—Cocktail

93. “I Feel Good”—Anjaana Anjaani

94. “Tere Bin”—Bas Ek Pal

95. “Boond Boond”—Hate Story 4

96. “Dil Meri Na Sune”—Genius

97. “Rehna Tu”—Delhi-6

98. “Jo Bhi Main”—Rockstar

99. “Zehreelay”—Rock On!!

100. “Mere Bina”—Crook

Other Notable Bollywood Rock Songs

• “Tu Jaane Na”—Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
• “Haan Tu Hani”—Jannat
• “Labon Ko”—Bhool Bhulaiyaa
• “Aur Ho”—Rockstar
• “Khwaishein” (Rock Version)—Calendar Girls
• “Zindagi”—The Sky Is Pink
• “Ghoom Le”—Punkh
• “Dil Dil Hai”—Saat Khoon Maaf
• “Tera Hua”—Loveyatri
• “Badalon Ki Geharayi”—Lucky Ali
• “Zinda”—Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
• “Pee Loon”—Once Upon a Time in Mumbai
• “Channa Meraya”—Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
• “Dooba Dooba”—Silk Route
• “Sadho Re”—Agni
• “Phir Dhoom”—Euphoria
• “Hamari Adhuri Kahani”—Hamari Adhuri Kahani
• “Bhulana Payenge Woh Din”— Ahhirann
• “Kinare”—Queen
• “Race Is on My Mind”—Race
• “Jannatein Kahan”—Jannat 2
• “Hulchul”—Qaidi Band
• “Teri Deewani”—Kailash Kher
• “Dil Ibadaat”—Tum Mile
• “Sufi”—Jai Veeru

• “Aankhon Mein”—Aryans
• “Karmah”—Punkh
• “Who Bheege Pal”—Manorama Six Feet Under
• “Maaeri”—Euphoria
• “Kandisa”—Indian Ocean
• “Dheere Dheere”—Antariksh
• “Allah Ke Bande Hasde”—Waisa Bhi Hota Hai 2
• “Insaan”—Punkh
• “Zindagi Do Pal Ki”—Kites
• “Kala Aasman”—Sifar
• “Barson Yaaron”—London Dreams
• “O’ Mama”—7 Khoon Maaf
• “Nayan Tarse”—Dev D
• “Joganiyan”—Tevar
• “Aur War Nahin”—Ahhirann
• “Saaiyan”—Kailash Kher
• “Oh Sanam”—Lucky Ali
• “Aahatein”—Agnee
• “Tanhaa”—Punkh
• “Shaitan”—Sifar
• “Pehli Baar”—Dil Dhadakne Do
• “Ma Rewa”—Indian Ocean
• “Dilruba”—Aamir
• “Sau Aasoon”—Katti Batti
• “Main Laut Aaunga”—Kaash

© 2020 Ansel Pereira