Once upon a playlist, the songs came first, and the movie followed.
For decades, Bollywood soundtracks weren’t just part of the film, they were the film’s identity. There was a time when an album dropped, and overnight, it became the pulse of the nation. The film? Often a footnote.
Vivaan Shenoy takes us through to that golden age, when CDs spun more hype than trailers, radio premieres sparked street buzz, and songs became cultural events long before the first ticket was sold.
When the Soundtrack Set the Stage
In the late 90s and early 2000s, Bollywood marketing worked in reverse. You didn’t go to the cinema because you saw the film’s trailer, you went because you were obsessed with the music.
Example:
Tera Hone Laga Hoon made Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani a sensation before anyone knew the plot.
Mohabbatein, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Aashiqui 2, Saathiya, Tum Bin, these weren’t just movies; they were albums you lived inside.
Each track told a story. Each beat built an emotional contract. Sometimes, the music carried the movie through otherwise forgettable scripts.
Radio Premieres & CD Stores: A Forgotten Hype Machine
Before YouTube and streaming, Bollywood albums dropped as physical CDs and cassette tapes, with music launches covered like star-studded events. You’d hear the first single on Radio Mirchi or MTV India, and within days, it’d be playing at weddings, chai stalls, and car stereos on loop.
Songs weren’t just promotions. They were experiences.
The Shift: When the Music Stopped Leading
With the rise of digital-first promotions, trailers, teasers, and influencer campaigns have taken over. Music is often released after the film or just days before. Albums now get fractured, one song here, one remix there.
And while streaming has made music more accessible, it’s also made it more… disposable. Viral over vital.
A Revival in the Making?
Ironically, newer films like Animal, Arijit-heavy romances, or Sufi-inspired soundtracks have shown glimpses of the old formula. When a song like Kesariya or Phir Aur Kya Chahiye explodes weeks before the release, you know the old ways still work.
Final Track
In an era of algorithm-driven attention spans, the golden age of the album-first Bollywood film reminds us that music can still be the heart, not just the background.
Because sometimes, the best stories are sung.