Not just song and dance: The genre-bending revolution of Bollywood musicals!
Globally, Bollywood is synonymous with music, drama, and dazzling dance numbers. Over the decades, some bollywood musical movies have not only ruled the charts but also challenged numerous stereotypes, redefined genres, and ignited critical conversations. These genre-bending Bollywood musicals dared to be different. More than a mood enhancer, music was used as a narrative tool — pushing boundaries in storytelling, character development, as well as societal commentary.
Long before genre-bending became a trend, Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Abhimaan had already provided the groundwork. Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri in lead roles, this 1973 musical drama explored the fragile dynamics of a couple's ego, success, and eternal love. Evergreen songs composed by legendary S.D. Burman weren't just beautiful; they were powerful emotional dialogues too. The film boldly depicted conventional gender roles and highlighted how fame can suddenly disrupt personal relationships — all through the lens of music. Abhimaan is a timeless example of musical storytelling to portray complex emotional terrain with grace and depth.
Conventionally, musical numbers in Bollywood are mostly served as crowd-pleasers — romantic interludes, wedding vibes, or high-energy dance breaks. But in films like Rockstar (2011) and Tamasha (2015), songs depicted the protagonist’s journey.
Imtiaz Ali’s masterpiece, Rockstar used A.R. Rahman’s iconic soundtrack supported by beautiful lyrics from Irshad Kamil to depict Janardan’s transformation into Jordan. Each track charted an emotional milestone, from innocence to heartbreak to rebellion. Rather than breaking the story’s flow, the music was the story.
Then came Gully Boy (2019) — India’s first mainstream dive into underground rap culture. Loosely based on the lives of Mumbai rappers DIVINE and Naezy, the film strategically flipped the musical genre on its head. Instead of idealistic love songs, audiences heard gritty rhymes about class, society, ambition, and identity.
Zoya Akhtar masterfully orchestrated street poetry and personal struggle, creating a genre-bender that appealed to both cinephiles and Gen Z listeners. The film’s "Apna Time Aayega" became an anthem of self-empowerment across India.
While Aashiqui 2 (2013) followed a romantic-musical template, it was a heart-wrenching portrayal of addiction, fame, and sacrifice. The film’s haunting melodies — especially “Tum Hi Ho” — weren’t just earworms. They added psychological layers to characters (also for the audience) struggling with love and loss.
The success of Aashiqui 2 proved that musical tragic films could also thrive, instead of relying solely on feel-good romance.
Secret Superstar (2017) combined the coming-of-age genre with strong feminist themes. The film told the story of Insia, a teenage girl from a conservative Muslim family who dreams of becoming a singer. Her anonymous YouTube fame becomes a quiet rebellion against her abusive father and societal norms.
The music here did more than delight — it is portrayed as a form of empowerment. Songs like “Main Kaun Hoon” became the growing voice of young Indian women in both cinema and society.
These movies prove that Bollywood musicals can be much more than masala flicks. They can be layered, nuanced, and boundary-breaking. Each of these stories showed that melody and meaning are not mutually exclusive. Eventually, they appealed to a modern, media-savvy Indian audience — one that craves authenticity as much as entertainment.
Credit: Instagram/@theaffirmationjar
Modern India is dominated by streaming platforms, short attention spans, and global influences. Even among this situation, musical films are leading a unique revolution, proving that music can elevate, enrich, and redefine a simple story. And perhaps most importantly, they make Indian cinema more human, honest, and heart-thumping.
With upcoming films experimenting with fusion, EDM, folk, classical, and rap — it’s obvious that Bollywood’s musical landscape is on the cusp of another evolution.
