Hindi Cinema and its Unending Romance with the Trains

By Zaheer Arif | October 19, 2024

Trains make you nostalgic and there is always some romance associated with it. When we see it, or use it as a means of transport, we come across the essence of Indian life and see the nature and the human beings at their best and closest. The thoughts transfer you to older times, old films and you see that the journey becomes a refreshing celebration and something pleasant and beautiful in life.
With every change of landscape there is an added view and the scene offers a new insight into something spectacular. The mind is never at rest and it conjures up some of the nicest memories and you keep thinking and sometimes dreaming, till you notice that you have arrived at your destination.
Many Indians are a fan of the presentation of songs and scenes in Hindi films and here I am with a collection that is thoughtful, beautiful, romantic and brings out what is best in the Indian life. The beauties refer to several decades and I am presenting my feelings with these songs, so that the readers themselves take a refreshing trip down the memory lane and reach out to some of the iconic songs sipping golden moments with their tea or coffee.

1. Aap ki Kasam – Zindagi ke safar me guzar jate hain jo maqam – where the thoughts of poet and lead actor merge into a bout of melancholic thoughtfulness. There is a beautiful capturing of the past in it and it is a soft, alluring song. Even the train and its tracks become an essential part of the song recalling the milestones left behind in life and there are poignant shots passing through towns, fields, stations and tunnels.

2. Ajnabi – Hum donon do premi – is also a gem that figures a freight train – Jaana kahan hai bata us shahar ka naam ye teri marzi hai tera hai kaam expresses the love and reliability making it a worthy duet.

3. Zamane ko Dikhana Hai – Hoga tum se pyara kaun – is an attempt to capture the lush green pastures and the attention of a sad heroine which eventually happens. It is a fine song, soft, relevant and romantic.

4. The next on the list is Pal do pal ka saath hamara from The Burning Train which speaks of the journey and the philosophy of life.
Doston apna to ye imaan hai,
Jo bhi jitna saath de ehsan hai….
It is deep, meaningful, poetical and full of fun also.

5. There is another great song in it, which is a prayer for removal of pain and sorrows and a pleading with
God Teri marzi se aye malik hum
iss duniya mein aaye hain teri rehmat se
hum sab ne ye jismon jaan paaye hain
Full of devotion and surrender and Sahir was at his peak writing in it.

6. Dil Se – has a song sung from the heart and Chaiyyan Chaiyyan in the train that figures the green Nilgiri mountains of Tamil Nadu and has unbeatable beats plus the great flavor of poetry. It was a hit and is pleasant.

7. Aradhana – Mere sapnon ki raani kab aayegi tu was a runaway hit with the heroine sitting by the window seat and the hero with his friend on the road singing a lovely song depicting harmony and romance. The song is set against a picturesque mountainous landscape depicting the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway route.

8. Finally there is Hathon ki chand lakeeron ka from Vidhata, also is a great train song which talks about making our destiny and moving ahead in life. It compares destiny with efforts and gives a beautiful message.

All these songs show that trains take you to your dream destinations and our films have participated beautifully in this journey.