Who would have thought that the whimsical voice of my childhood memory of the song "Dooba Dooba" would one day become a full blown love affair with the man in the picture-- Mohit Chauhan!
The soulful voice almost on the brink of sounding as if sleepy captured my heart and continues to hearten it with every new song he sings! After bidding adieu to "Silk Route", Mohit Chauhan's received acclamation in Bollywood with the song "Guncha" in Main Meri Patni aur Woh. A song that I heard for the first time last week in MTV Unplugged.
And no prizes for guessing that I loved it!
So when did I fall in love with this man?
A faint flicker formed in my heart while listening to the haunting "Khoon Chala" in the theatre (Rang De Basanti). Back then, at the age of 14, I attributed it to the feel of the movie. Yet the song remained on my computer.
However, there was no turning back after Tum Se Hi (Jab We Met). The slow, steady almost poetic caressing of words that describe a man pining for a girl who made his life. Which girl wouldn't want to be serenaded with a song that describes her so?
Kuch khaas hai... Kuch paas hai... Kuch Ajnabee ehsaas hai. At 17, I was well past the age of the puppy "first love" yet the slow crooning of a certain Mr. Chauhan made me weak in my knees!
Who does not like the peppy and chirpy "Masakali?" Which girl hasn't flapped her arms while the song played in the background? I know I have!
With New York, Mohit Chauhan gave every broken hearted man his anthem. "Tu ne Jo na kaha" was played by every aashiq on repeat. A slow and painful trial a man goes through when the love of his life finds happiness elsewhere.
"Ye Dooriya" did not replicate the success of Tum Se Hi but it was the only thing that left an impact on audience as they left the theatre watching "Love Aaj kal" :P
Kaminey may have been a hardcore action drama yet the light teasing yet sensuous "Pehli Baar Mohabbat" became a favourite for rainy nights.
His first award came with "Pee Loo", a love ballad with an edge of sexual tension. Portrayed beautifully on screen with a rugged looking Emraan Hashmi and the docile Prachi Desai.
"Tujhe Bhula Diya" is undoubtedly the most popular song coming from this singer. It talks of the journey of heartbreak. A severely painful journey. What gives the song a golden touch is the pain infused in the voice of the singer.
After this he has sung many beautiful songs in Tanu Weds Manu, Lafangey Parindey, Aarakshan etc.
Yet the masterpiece everyone has been waiting for is here-- Rockstar!
Mohit Chauhan has re invented himself with this film. A film which belongs to him! Save the 2 songs by female singers and1 by the legendary AR Rehman all the songs are by Mohit Chauhan.
You are forced to accept the versatility of the man as he screams a power packed "Saadda haq" with the same ease as he croons the calming "Tum Ho".
Mohit Chauhan is a Legend! A rare singer who can infuse so much of his own pain, love, hate, distress in a song that you are forced to accept it as a situation of your life and cry along!
I will end this one sided love story with something I keep telling my friends all the time, "Even if Mohit Chauhan yawns... I'll like it!" :D
Is this Love? Maine na Jaana... aaahaa haa aahaaa...
