From Indie Roots To Bollywood Stardom
- Lazie Indie Magazine
- Jun 10
- 6 min read
Long before reality shows, Instagram followers, and film playback contracts, the Indian music scene in the 80s and 90s witnessed a cultural phenomenon — the indie pop revolution. A wave of fresh voices, catchy tunes, and DIY music videos flooded television sets through channels like MTV and Channel V. And among them were voices that would eventually rule Bollywood.
At Lazie Indie Magazine, we take a nostalgic dive into some of the most iconic independent pop albums that introduced us to now-legendary Bollywood singers.
KK
Long before he became the voice behind Bollywood hits like Ajab Si or Zara Sa, Krishnakumar Kunnath, fondly known as KK, carved his own space in India’s music scene through independent pop. His journey didn’t start in a film studio — it began with raw emotion, real stories, and two iconic albums that defined a generation: Pal (1999) and Humsafar (2008).
While KK went on to become a celebrated Bollywood playback singer, it was Pal and Humsafar that introduced India to the purity of his voice. These albums didn’t just launch his career — they left an emotional imprint on an entire generation of music lovers.
Atif Aslam
Known as the most loved vocalist in Bollywood, having sung major Bollywood hits like "Pehli Nazar Mein", "Tera Hone Laga Hoon", "Tu Jaane Na" and many more, Atif caught his first attention as the lead vocalist of the Pakistani band Jal with the legendary hit Aadat becoming a youth anthem across borders. After parting ways with the band, Atif released his solo debut album Jal Pari in 2004, which included reworked versions of Aadat, Bheegi Yaadein, and Ankhon Se. The album was a massive success — topping charts in Pakistan for two consecutive years and laying the foundation for his Bollywood entry.
Shankar Mahadevan
Before becoming a film music sensation, Shankar Mahadevan made waves in the indie scene with his iconic debut album Breathless in 1998 in which the lyrics was penned by the legendary Javed Akhtar. The song’s unique concept, coupled with a compelling video directed by Farhan and Zoya Akhtar, captivated listeners across India. Breathless went on to win the Best Non-Film Album at the 1998 Screen Awards and sold over 300,000 copies, cementing Shankar’s place as a pioneer in Indian independent music.
Shaan
Shaan first gained attention in the indie-pop scene with his hit album Tanha Dil (2000), well before he became a Bollywood staple. Collaborating with composer Ram Sampath, the album’s title track became a deeply moving anthem of loneliness and self-exploration. Shaan wrote and sang the song with striking honesty, which played a pivotal role in his emergence as one of India's most beloved playback voices. His career has since flourished, with performances across a wide array of languages including Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Assamese, Malayalam, Odia, and Sindhi, alongside his independent music ventures. During the 2000s and 2010s, his velvety vocals became almost synonymous with Saif Ali Khan’s on-screen persona—their combination of boyish charm and soulful sound creating an unforgettable cinematic harmony.
Mohit Chauhan
Before becoming a Bollywood playback sensation, Mohit Chauhan made his mark in the indie music scene as the lead vocalist of the band Silk Route. Formed in 1996, the band released their debut album, Boondein, in 1998. The album featured the hit track “Dooba Dooba”, which resonated with audiences for its soulful melody and poetic lyrics . Following Silk Route's disbandment in 2002, Chauhan ventured into a solo career, releasing his first solo album, Fitoor, in 2009. The album, characterized by its acoustic sound and introspective themes, showcased his evolution as an artist and solidified his place in the Indian music industry.
Vishal Dadlani
Vishal Dadlani began his musical journey as the dynamic frontman of Pentagram, one of India's pioneering electro-rock bands. Formed in 1994, Pentagram gained recognition for their electrifying performances and distinctive sound. Their debut album, We Are Not Listening (1996), showcased their innovative approach to music, blending rock with electronic elements. The band's energetic live shows and unique style earned them a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim. Transitioning from the indie scene to mainstream Bollywood, Dadlani teamed up with Shekhar Ravjiani to form the acclaimed music duo Vishal–Shekhar. Their collaboration brought forth numerous chart-topping hits, including "Jai Jai Shivshankar," "Malhari," and "Desi Girl". Beyond composing, Dadlani's powerful vocals have graced tracks in films like Dhoom 2, Taare Zameen Par, and Ra.One .Today, Vishal Dadlani stands as a testament to the seamless blend of indie roots and Bollywood brilliance, continually shaping the soundscape of Indian music.
Sonu Nigam
Sonu Nigam embarked on his musical path in the early 1990s, beginning with independent albums that highlighted his remarkable range and deep love for music. His debut release, Sapnon Ki Baat (1993), under the T-Series banner, marked his arrival in the Indian pop music landscape. He followed it up with several other notable albums, including Deewana (1999), which became a major hit and cemented his place in the Indi-pop world.
His transition to Bollywood took a pivotal turn with the success of “Accha Sila Diya Tune Mere Pyar Ka” from Bewafa Sanam (1995), a track that brought him widespread recognition and opened doors to a prolific career in playback singing. Sonu went on to deliver memorable songs in films like Kal Ho Naa Ho, Veer-Zaara, and 3 Idiots, earning both critical acclaim and a loyal fan following. In 2020, he launched his own music label, I Believe Music, debuting with the devotional track “Rudhrashtakam.” This move reflected his spiritual inclinations and his continued support for India’s independent music scene.
Abhijeet Sawant
Abhijeet Sawant shot to fame as the winner of the first season of Indian Idol in 2004, but his journey into music extended well beyond television. His debut independent album Aap Ka Abhijeet Sawant (2005) featured the chart-topping hit “Mohabbatein Lutaaunga” and marked his successful entry into India’s pop music scene. He followed it up with Junoon in 2007, further strengthening his position as a leading indie pop artist of the time. While he dabbled in Bollywood with songs like “Mar Jaawan Mit Jaawan” from Aashiq Banaya Aapne (2005), his most significant contributions remained in the independent space. In 2013, he released Farida, a soulful Sufi-rock album inspired by Punjabi saint Baba Farid’s poetry—signaling his evolution as an artist and return to roots. Though Bollywood didn’t fully embrace him, Abhijeet carved out a niche in the indie circuit, relying on powerful live performances and genre experimentation to maintain his musical identity.
Kailash Kher
Kailash Kher carved a distinct niche in independent Indian music with a string of soulful albums led by his band Kailasa, starting with their eponymous debut in 2006, which featured the mega-hit “Teri Deewani” and reimagined “Allah Ke Bande” . He continued this journey with Chaandan Mein (2009), an all-organic fusion of devotional and romantic tracks that earned international acclaim . Rangeele (2012) infused folk themes and included narration by Amitabh Bachchan . Later releases like Ishq Anokha (2016), Shivoham (2017), and the folk-driven Folklore expanded his sonic repertoire, cementing his role as a genre-blending visionary .
Parallel to his indie success, Kher built a vibrant Bollywood career—earning a Filmfare Award for “Allah Ke Bande” in Fanaa (2006) and a Nandi Award for the Telugu hit “Pandagala Digivachalu” in Mirchi (2013). He has contributed as a lyricist and composer to films like Dasvidaniya, Chandni Chowk to China, Dhol, Aladin, and Dil Bole Hadippa! His powerful vocals and spiritual style have made him a trans-regional force, contributing over 500 songs across more than 20 Indian languages.
Adnan Sami
Adnan Sami’s musical journey defies borders—both stylistically and geographically. He surged to international acclaim in the late ’80s with English-language singles like “Run for His Life” and “Hot Summer Day”, topping charts across the Middle East. His 1989 debut album, The One & Only, blended Western classical piano with tabla legend Zakir Hussain, followed by Raag Time (1991), showcasing his instrumental virtuosity. Sami then captured India’s heart with indie smash Kabhi To Nazar Milao (2000, with Asha Bhosle), topping charts for two years and reportedly selling four million copies. His follow-up album, Tera Chehra (2002), broke sales records—becoming India’s best-selling album that year and topping charts in North America—all while featuring Bollywood stars in its videos.
Parallel to indie success, Sami carved out a strong Bollywood presence. He composed for films like Lucky: No Time for Love (2005), Dhamaal (2007), 1920 (2008), and Mumbai Salsa (2007), also contributing as a playback singer in hits like “Tu Sirf Mera Mehboob” (Ajnabee, 2001), “Aye Udi Udi” (Saathiya, 2002), and “Bhar Do Jholi Meri” (Bajrangi Bhaijaan, 2015). His return to playback singing in recent years signals a rekindling of his Bollywood journey .
That was an golden era of Indian music — the 80s, 90s and mid 2000's indie pop scene was the breeding ground for some of Bollywood’s biggest names today.
Comments