Bollywood on Beat: Iconic Music-Based Movies That Stole the Show

Bollywood and music go hand in hand, and some films have made melodies the heart of their story. From foot-tapping hits to soulful tunes, these music-based movies have left audiences humming long after the credits roll.

Rock On!! (2008)

Abhishek Kapoor’s Rock On!! follows four friends reuniting as a rock band, featuring Farhan Akhtar and Arjun Rampal, with a chart-topping soundtrack by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Its 2016 sequel brought the band back with new faces

PC: Rotten Tomatoes, Peakpx

London Dreams (2009)

London Dreams stars Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, Aditya Roy Kapur, and Asin in the story of two friends who form a rock band. While the film had a mixed response, its music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi, won hearts.

PC: IMDB, Bollywood Hungama

Rockstar (2011)

Directed by Imtiaz Ali and featuring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri, Rockstar follows JJ, an aspiring singer chasing his dream of becoming an international rockstar. With music by A R Rahman, songs like Sadda Haq remain iconic youth anthems.

PC: BookmyShow, Film Fugitives

Lucknow Central (2017)

This Indian prison drama stars Farhan Akhtar, Diana Penty, Ronit Roy, and Gippy Grewal, and follows inmates who form a band, showing how music transforms their lives as they compete in a musical event.

PC: Zee News, The Indian Express

Secret Superstar (2017)

Secret Superstar stars Zaira Wasim as a 15-year-old aspiring singer, supported by Meher Vij and Aamir Khan. The film combines music with social themes, telling the inspiring story of a young girl chasing her dreams against all odds.

PC: Zee Studios, IMDB

Fanney Khan (2018)

Fanney Khan stars Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Rajkummar Rao in this musical comedy about a father determined to fulfill his own dreams through his talented daughter, leading to a hilarious and heartwarming quest in the music world.

PC: Times of India, Film Companion