Log onto social media lately, and you may come across grainy photos with an obsolete Snapchat dog filter layered on, captioned as “throwback to one decade ago!” The current trend is all about 2016 nostalgia. Naturally, we followed suit and picked out some Indian chartbusters that turn 10 this year.
LISTEN: Channa Mereya
Channa Mereya (translation: My Moon) is a Hindustani track from the 2016 Hindi film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and is touted as a must-listen song for anyone who has been through a heartbreak. The semi-classical style Sufi music, paired with highly relatable lyrics illustrate the unbearable pain of unrequited love while one is trying to move on.
The lovelorn tune is penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, composed by Pritam and sung by Arjit Singh. On India’s leading free audio streaming app JioSaavn, Channa Mereya has retained its spot in the Top Songs of All-time playlist. At the 2016 Stardust Awards ceremony, Arjit Singh was awarded the Best Male Playback Singer, while Amitabh Bhattacharya won the Best Lyricist Award for this track.
LISTEN: Thalli Pogathey
True to its name, Thalli Pogathey (“Do not go far away” in Tamil) has never left the hearts of cine music lovers. This song was featured in the Silambarasan and Manjima Mohan starrer Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada in 2016. The track, which was featured in the romantic action film’s first trailer, instantly became a viral sensation. The lyric video alone has amassed over 34 million views on YouTube.
The entire soundtrack was a commercial hit, earning legendary music director A R Rahman the Best Music Director award at three different awards shows. Namely, the Filmfare Awards South, IIFA Awards, and SIIMA Awards.
LISTEN: Kala Chashma
Who knew that a song about wearing black sunglasses could spark such a frenzy? Kala Chashma is a Bollywood song from the 2016 science-fiction romantic drama film Baar Baar Dekho. It is sung by Neha Kakkar, Badshaah, and Amar Arshi. Interestingly, this “modern” banger is a reworked version of a 1990s track, originally written by Shera, a head constable from a village in Punjab, as per a report in The Hindustan Times.
The defining feature of Kala Chashma that sets it apart from other songs released at the time is its vibrant visuals and the simple yet energetic choreography that appeals to people of all generations. It is no wonder that people break out in dance as soon as the first notes of this song are played.
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15 Jan 2026 0:20
