Song Of The Week: Banke Tera Jogi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcbWTEjUuyk

I think I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again — when it comes to music, I have no language barrier. If it sounds good to my ears, I’m pressing play. Period.

That’s how my love for Bollywood songs started. I grew up in a household that was a huge Bollywood fan. I wouldn’t say I was the biggest fan myself, but when you grow up watching those movies with your family, the music just seeps into you. The late 90s and early 2000s era especially? Elite.

There was something magical about that period. The melodies were dramatic, romantic, theatrical — sometimes over-the-top, but in the best way. Nowadays, I’m not sure what changed. Maybe the music evolved. Maybe I did. Or maybe I’m just too accustomed to the songs I grew up with that my brain doesn’t even give the new ones a proper chance.

My song of the week is Banke Tera Jogi from the film Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, starring Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla.

I can’t even fully explain why I love this song. Do I understand every lyric? Not really. Do I know exactly what it’s about? Also not entirely. But the music? The energy? The choreography? It just makes me happy. And sometimes that’s enough.

Listening to it now brings back such fond memories — sitting in front of the TV with my family, dramatic Bollywood scenes playing out, and me subconsciously memorising the tunes. There’s something about songs that can transport you back to a specific time in your life. I love when music does that.

I even have a little “Hindustan” playlist that I usually play while doing chores. I don’t know why, but Bollywood songs make housework feel like a full-blown performance. Suddenly I’m not cleaning — I’m starring in my own dramatic musical sequence.

Here’s to great memories, timeless songs, and music that moves you — no matter the language.