Top 20 Bollywood Songs On Trains – You Must See

Bollywood Films are a reflection of the times they are made in. Journeys are an integral part of the stories our Bollywood Films tell. So, we have songs shot on Tongas, Rickshaws, Cycles, Buses, Airports, and of course Trains. While horse carts have made way for the bikes, airports have become a new common but it is the trains that have remained constant. Train journeys have a romance that no other mode of the journey has. No wonder, some of the most romantic and popular Bollywood Songs On Trains are there over the decades. Songs shot on Indian trains. Not to miss the fact that some of the most soulful songs also found trains in their backdrop.

Top 20 Must-See Bollywood Songs On Trains

Bollywood songs on Trains over the ages also tell you the journey of Indian Railways – from luxury salons to second class travel to heritage trains to local trains and even goods trains. So, come with me on this wonderful journey with Bollywood music on Indian Trains.

Toofan Mail – Jawab (1942)

This was the year of the Quit India Movement and Kanan Devi Sings on this music of Kamal Dasgupta in which the sound of the train is an integral part of the song. Lyrics by Pt Madhur.

Toofan Mail – they had some sense of humor in naming the trains then. Why are the new train names so boring?

Aao Bachhon Tumhe Dikhayen – Jagriti (1954)

Train journey in this iconic song literally takes you through the Indian landscape, very representative of the way Indian Railways connect with nooks and corners of India. I have school time memories of this song – I think somewhere it contributed to my curiosity about India that I so passionately travel around today. Sung by Kavi Pradeep on the music of Hemant Kumar.

Dekh Tere Sansar Ki Haalat – Nastik (1954)

Trains were players in the partition of India – they ported people from one side to another – this song looks like captures the time when trains used to full of people both inside and on the roof. A song that makes you think about the times you live in, sung by Pradeep.

Basti Basti Parbat Parbat – Railway Platform (1955)

The credits of the film rolls as the train moves and the railway lines are left behind. It is a wanderer’s song sung by Mohd Rafi, Music by Madan Mohan, and lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Hai Apna Dil to Awara – Solva Saal (1958)

My all-time favorite carefree song on gorgeous Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. It took me some time to realize it is shot on a train for my generation has not seen trains like that. Hemant Kumar sings with certain magnetism on the music of SD Burman and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

This was most probably shot on Calcutta EMU.

Auraton ke dabbe mein – Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh (1960)

It is a fun song with the age-old man-woman banter when a man enters a lady’s compartment. Bharat Bhushan for a change in a lighter role. Sung by Mohd Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur and music by Hansraj Behl & lyrics Prem Dhawan.

Main hun Jhum Jhum Jhumroo – Jhumroo (1961)

This signature song by Kishore Kumar has Madhubala in the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail once again. Perfect Traveler song with a carefree attitude. Music is by Kishore Kumar and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Mujhe Apna Yaar Bana Lo – Boy Friend (1961)

Shammi Kapoor jumps on Kalka Shimla Train as it moves through the Shivalik ranges of Himalayas. Even in black and white, the snow-clad mountains look lovely.

Singer – Mohd Rafi, Music – Shanker-Jaiskishan & lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri

Main Chali, Main Chali – Professor (1962)

Shammi Kapoor and Kalpana romance on the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail.

Singer – Mohd Rafi, Music – Shanker-Jaikishan, Lyrics – Hasrat Jaipuri.

Rukh se Zara Naqab Hataa do – Mere Huzoor (1968)

Charming old-style railway compartments are a perfect backdrop for the Mohd Rafi Singing this song on the music that lingers by Shanker-Jaikishan.

Mere Sapnon Ki Rani – Aradhana (1969)

Shot on iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Train, at least in parts, tell me someone who has not sung thing dreamy song. A deadly combination of Kishore Kumar, R D Burman, Anand Bakshi, and Rajesh Khanna.

Read More – Darjeeling Himalayan Rail, A Living Dream

Hum Dono Do Premi – Ajnabee (1974)

Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman hop on to a good train, the train no 19228 is visible in the first shot. I am sure a goods train has never looked better. It was still the era of Steam Engines. Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar team up for the music of R D Burman & lyrics of Anand Bakshi.

Gadi Bula Rahi Hai – Dost (1974)

A song that used Rail or Train as a metaphor – makes you think. Dharmendra and Train – there are only 2 elements in this song sung by Kishore Kumar, music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and lyrics by Anand Bakshi. Lovely shots of Kalka Shimla Mountain Railway.

Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun – Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1977)

Yet another song on Darjeeling Heritage Train – This time Rishi Kapoor romances Padmini Kolhapure. Aerial shots of the train are beautiful & the smoke of steam engine has been used aesthetically by the cinematographer. Sung by Shailendra Singh, music by R D Burman.

Pal Do Pal Ka Saath Hamara – The Burning Train (1980)

We all but meet for a moment or two, the one you meet this moment will be left away the next moment – sums up the train journeys so beautifully. Shot on a train, sung soulfully by Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle on the music of RD Burman and lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi.

Haathon Ki Chand Lakeeron Ka – Vidhaata (1982)

A philosophical song where two veterans Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor debate about Destiny and Karma. This song is a rare one that looks at the train from the Train Driver’s cabin in the still steam engine days of Good Train. Sung by Suresh Wadkar & Anwar Hussain and music by Kalyan Ji Anand Ji & lyrics by Anand Bakshi.

Sari Duniya Ka Bojh hum Uthate hain – Coolie (1983)

This film, of course, is the story of a Railway Coolie, but this song gets featured for the Bangalore City Station that is the hero of the song.

Singer – Shabbir Kumar Music – Lakshmikant Pyarelal Lyrics – Anand Bakshi.

Saajan Mera Us Paar Hai – Ganga, Jamuna, Saraswati (1988)

This song shows the classes on Indian Trains and the divide between them that is both social and economic.

Singer – Lata Mangeshkar, Lyrics – Indivar, Music – Anu Malik.

Kab se Kare hai Tera Intezaar – Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na (1994)

This melody captures the joy of Konkan Railway so well – a journey through the greenest part of India. It even features Goa’s Vasco Da Gama Railway station. Sung by Amit Kumar & Udit Narayan and quintessential Jatin Lalit music on Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lyrics.

Read More – Joy of getting lost on Konkan Railways in Monsoons

Chhaiya Chhaiya – Dil Se (1998)

Shahrukh Khan and Malaika Arora create magic on top of the Niligiri Heritage Train. For me, this song is as much about the powerful voices of Sukhwinder Singh & Sapna Awasthi and the folk music adopted by A R Rehman. Lyrics are attributed to Gulzar. One of the most popular Bollywood Songs On Trains.

Kasto Mazza He Relaima – Parineeta (2005)

Saif Ali Khans & Vidya Balan again board the Darjeeling Himalayan Rail – this time customized to take you back in time, recreating the golden era of the train. The romance can never be away from this song sung beautifully by Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghosal. music by Shantanu Moitra & lyrics of Swanand Kirkire.

Manu Bhaiyya Kya Karenge – Tanu Weds Manu (2011)

Family travel in a second class train compartment comes alive in this folk song where rituals take place in a train compartment as the train goes through the plains of India. Sunidhi Chauhan, Ujjaini Mukherjee & Niladri Debnath render this rustic folk song on the music of Mohit Chauhan.

Foolishq – Ki & Ka ( 2016)

Shot in and around the Rewari Heritage Train – yes, there is a heritage train that runs between Delhi & Rewari. These days it is mostly seen in films. The song is irrelevant – for me watching this song is like visiting the Rail Museum.

Which of these is your favorite Bollywood Songs On Trains? Did I miss any Bollywood Songs On Trains?