Their songs are still party hits for the 90s generation, but the singers behind them rarely appear in Bollywood films today. Kunal Ganjawala, Vinod Rathod, Sadhana Sargam, Shibani Kashyap and Jolly Mukherjee gave Hindi cinema some of its most-loved songs, from “Bheege Honth Tere” to “Pehla Nasha,” yet their recent film credits have thinned out considerably. Here is where each of them stands today, and when they last sang for a Bollywood film.
Why Bollywood Hit Songs Often Outlive the Singers’ Fame
Songs are the lifeblood of a Bollywood film. Even when a film flops, its songs often become hits, and even films without songs now tend to include a title track.
Yet when a film succeeds or fails, audiences talk about the star cast, the director and the producer. Playback singers rarely get the same attention. Many people hum a song for decades without knowing who sang it.
Which 90s Singers Have Faded From Bollywood?
The five singers below are among the voices whose songs still define 90s and 2000s nostalgia. Some songs even work as peace offerings in lovers’ quarrels, which is why they remain party and playlist favourites.
Kunal Ganjawala: From 18–20 Songs a Year to One
Kunal Ganjawala became a household name with “Bheege Honth Tere” from Emraan Hashmi’s film Murder, which was hugely popular with the younger generation. He also sang songs such as “Dil Na Diya,” “Dupatta Tera Nau Rang Da” and “Koi Mil Gaya.”
His peak was 2005 to 2010, when he sang 18 to 20 songs a year. His momentum began to slow around 2012, and by 2018 he was singing roughly one song a year. His last film song was in Kahaani Rubberband Ki.
Vinod Rathod: 3,500 Songs, but Few Film Offers Now
Vinod Rathod sang about 3,500 songs in his career. His most popular numbers include “Koi Na Koi Chahiye” and “Chupana Bhi Nahi Aata.” He has sung in several languages, including Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali and Persian, and was reportedly one of Shah Rukh Khan’s favourite singers.
For the past few years, he has been largely absent from film music. He continues to appear in live shows and reality shows, but is rarely heard in new Bollywood songs.
Sadhana Sargam: The Singer of “Pehla Nasha” Who Sang in 27 Languages
“Pehla Nasha” remains a favourite romantic song for 90s kids, often hummed in school and college days to patch up fights between couples. It was sung by Sadhana Sargam, a National Award-winning singer who is described as the only Indian singer to have sung in more than 27 languages.
At her peak, she sang around 50 songs a year. Today her film work has dwindled sharply. Her last Bollywood song was in the 2021 film Meenakshi Sundareshwar.
Shibani Kashyap: Singer, Songwriter and Composer of “Sajna Aa Bhi Ja”
Shibani Kashyap made the whole country dance with “Sajna Aa Bhi Ja,” a song she sang, wrote and composed herself. Her video “Kya Nazakat Hai” was another big hit, and her voice held audiences for many years.
Her last film song, “Sannata,” was for the film Identity Card.
Jolly Mukherjee: The Voice Behind “Chandni O Meri Chandni”
Jolly Mukherjee created a sensation with “Chandni O Meri Chandni” and went on to sing for many A-list Bollywood actors. His last film song was “Taakat” in Satya 2, released in 2013.
Since then, he has been largely absent from Bollywood, and he is rarely seen in the industry today.
In Memoriam: Zubeen Garg, the Voice of “Ya Ali”
Zubeen Garg, often spelled “Zubin” in older Hindi-media write-ups, was another celebrated singer fans associate with this era. He sang “Ya Ali” in the 2006 film Gangster and enjoyed a large female fan following at his concerts.
Garg also sang in Bengali, Assamese, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, and reports credit him with recordings in more than 40 languages and dialects. He died in Singapore on 19 September 2025 at the age of 52, and tributes poured in from across India. Early reports said he was scuba diving, but later reports said he was swimming during a yacht trip, and his cause of death was recorded as drowning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian singer has sung in more than 27 languages?
Sadhana Sargam, the singer of “Pehla Nasha,” is described as the only Indian singer to have sung in over 27 languages.
What was Kunal Ganjawala’s last film song?
His last film song was in Kahaani Rubberband Ki, after his output fell from 18–20 songs a year to about one.
What was Sadhana Sargam’s last Bollywood song?
She last sang in the 2021 film Meenakshi Sundareshwar.
Who sang “Chandni O Meri Chandni”?
Jolly Mukherjee sang “Chandni O Meri Chandni.” His last film song was “Taakat” in Satya 2 (2013).
What This Says About Bollywood’s Playback Industry
The stories of these singers show how quickly the playback world changes. Voices that dominated playlists for years can slip out of film music, even while their songs stay alive on radios, wedding dance floors and streaming apps.
For fans, the best tribute is simple: look up the singer, not just the song, and keep their music, and the artists who made it, in memory.
