Greatest Bollywood song of all time named by BBC Asian Network

‘Baharon Phool Barsao’ from the 1966 film Surajhas been voted the greatest Bollywood song of all time.The track topped the vote from listeners of BBC Asian Network, with the result being announced today (May 27) by Tommy Sandhu.

Vyjayanthimala, lead actress in Suraj said: “It’s wonderful to see ‘Baharon Phool Barsao’ being crowned the top Bollywood song of all time by BBC Asian Network listeners.

“Bollywood is such an important industry and there are some truly wonderful songs out there. I’m sure it was a hotly contested competition.”

Neila Butt, editor of music and live events at BBC Asian Network, said: “Bollywood is huge. It is an all-encompassing, massively popular topic for our listeners.

“For the past month, the Asian Network has been celebrating all things Bollywood. And what better way to continue the celebration than counting down the Top 100 Bollywood songs.”BBC Asian Network presenter Noreen Khan said: “Bollywood has a global following and reaches billions.

“Audiences flock to the cinema to watch a movie at times just because of one song they’ve heard! A big part of its success and appeal is the music – the songs and music are the soul of the movie.”

A longlist of 100 songs from the World of Hindi Cinema released between 1940 and 2010 was chosen by presenters, producers and Bollywood.The full top 20 was as follows:

1. ‘Baharon Phool Barsao’ – Suraj
2. ‘Awaara Hoon’ – Awaara
3. ‘Tujhe Dekha To’ – Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
4. ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh’ – Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
5. ‘Kabhi Kabhi Mere Dil Mein’ – Kabhi Kabhie
6. ‘Tere Liye’ – Veer-Zaara
7. ‘Yeh Dosti’ – Sholay
8. ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya’ – Mughal-e-Azam
9. ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ – Dil Se..
10. ‘Chalte Chalte’ – Pakeezah
11. ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho’ – Kal Ho Naa Ho
12. ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna’ – Guide
13. ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ – Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
14. ‘Mauja Hi Mauja’ – Jab We Met
15. ‘Ae Mere Humsafar’ – Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
16. ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho’ – Chaudhvin Ka Chand
17. ‘Aaja Sanam’ – Chori Chori
18. ‘Pehla Nasha’ – Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
19. ‘Dheere Dheere Se’ – Aashiqui
20.‘Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko’ – Yaadon Ki Baaraat