Two words: Sunny Deol. Bedroom Eyes. Hot stuff. Okay, so that’s many two words. I don’t even remember when I fell for my teenage heartthrob. I just know that I’ve been in love with his bedroom eyes for over thirty-ish years. This song from his first film, Betaab, perfectly describes my one-sided crush on him: Jab Hum Jawan Hoge, Jaane Kahan Hoge… Lekin Jahan Hoge, Wahan Fariyaad Karege, Tujhe Yaad Karege… So here we are. Sunny, a fellow Libran, turned 60 this year! I’m 41 and I’m still thinking of him. He’s still my crush, because of his sexy eyes, his bedroom eyes. (Certainly not because of his acting chops!)
Sigh. Sunny – always intense, always awkward. Each year on October 19th, his birthday, I give him a Facebook shoutout, just because, and declare my on-going crush. It’s incredible how I discover new Sunny Deol fans each year. So, here’s a shoutout to one of my oldest friends, friend Aarti Kapoor, his fan for possibly as long as I’ve been one, and to Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar, a new friend and a recently discovered fellow fan. Hopefully, they, along with everyone else, will enjoy this list. It’s a personal list and as you can see, I’m mostly stuck in the 80s and 90s…
1. Jab Hum Jawan Honge, Betaab (1983) – Lata Mangeshkar, Shabbir Kumar
Uff! This is the first song where I fell in love with Sunny and he became my heartthrob! And look at the words… Jab Hum Jawan Honge, Jaane Kahan Honge… Lekin Jahan Hoge, Fariyaad Karege, Tujhe Yaad Karege… So I’m keeping my teenage promise – wherever I am, I’m still thinking of him!
Notable mention: Badal Yun Garajta Hain Darr Kuch Aisa Lagta Hain - Thunderstorms are sexy! Bahar Bhi Toofan, Andar Bhi Toofan… Aag Barasti Hain Saawan Mein, Pani Ka Hain Naam…
2. Aur Kya Ahede Wafa Hote Hain, Sunny (1984) – Suresh Wadkar
Young, awkward, intense… what’s not to like? Though the song has several versions, Sunny’s version is my favourite! I love listening to this song. Suresh Wadkar is the icing on this cake. If I’m watching it, I have eyes only for Sunny, so Amrita Singh and Sharmila Tagore fade into the background.
Notable mention: Jaane Kya Baat Hai Neend Nahi Aati Badi - sung by Amrita Singh (Lata Mangeshkar) but it always makes me think of Sunny.
3. Mein Teri Mohabbat Mein, Tridev (1989) – Mohammed Aziz, Sadhana Sargam
It starts off with a hot Sunny in a tie! I like him with Madhuri in this song. It’s a relief for him as well as us that he doesn’t really have to dance in this song. I have to admit I love the film as well. Once I even asked Naseeruddin Shah what it was like working with Sunny Deol. He was taken aback, to say the least, but he sincerely shared his memories of Tridev. I was thrilled! Back to the song, I love that Sunny’s playful yet intense! Erm… also Mein Teri Nigaahon Se Ghayal Ho Jaongi, Mujhe Aisa Lagta Hain… Sigh.
4. O Meri Jaan, Manzil Manzil (1984) – Shailendra Singh, Asha Bhosle
No frills song. Starts off with Sunny Deol and a campfire! Uff. Also, first pairing with Dimple Kapadia. Shailendra giving voice to Sunny is a great combination.
Notable mentions: Loot Gaye Hum To Raahon Mein – again Shailendra! And a bit of dancing too. Uff. This one has that 80s melody about it, the R D Burman signature. Most of the songs (although some ‘lifted’ tunes, it seems) are good.
5. Dheere Dheere Chori Chori, Imtihan (1994) – Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik
In spite of Kumar Sanu, in spite of his hein hein heins and ra-ra-ra-ras, I liked this song. Because Sunny Deol. Less awkward, better emoting through eyes. I think he’s quite the eye candy in this one. This is a film where I’d dragged five unwilling friends to go watch it with me, at the cinema, and cried bucketfuls during the movie. Needless to say, twenty something years on, they are still my friends, because they found it so very amusing (and still do!) that I bawled my eyes out at this silly film. But come on, Sunny dies in the end! Or at least that’s how I remember it…
Notable mention: Iss Tarah Aashiqui Ka Asar Chhod Jaoon Ga by Amit Kumar is another favourite. However, when I see the lyrics now, I see so much stalker potential that it has spoilt the song for me.
6. Ae Sagar Ki Lehron, Samundar (1986) - Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
For the lovely RD Burman melody, if you’re simply listening to it. If you’re watching it though… Those quads. Uff! “Who wears short shorts? He wears short shorts!” Also, speedos! Which man can confidently tuck his cropped tank top into his speedos like Sunny does here? Tell me! No really, tell me. I want to know.
7. Tera Beemar Mera Dil, Chaalbaaz (1989) - Mohammad Aziz, Kavita Krishnamurthy
This madcap number must feature in the list! I love this naughty number. It puts the bedroom eyes in the bedroom! ;-)
Notable mention: Na Jane Kahan Se Aayi Hain… of course! My only grouse about this song is that Sunny doesn’t appear until almost 3 minutes into the song. That’s a no-no.
8. Bol Do Mithe Bol Sohniye, Sohni Mahiwal (1986) - Shabbir Kumar, Asha Bhosle
This song because it’s about innocent love but so much hotness. Sigh.
9. Jano Janam Janeman, Sultanat (1984)
From the long forgotten Sultanat, a hot Sunny in a keffiyah with sultry eyes.
10. Sochna Kya Jo Bhi Hoga, Ghayal (1990)
Fun, relaxed song. Less awkwardness, some impishness. All round goodness.
Tune in to the playlist of all of Darshana Davé's Sexy Saturday Songs here.
Darshana Davé is an arts manager, who has been a therapist and a journalist in her former avatars. She lives in Bangalore. She loves trees, the moon, theatre, jazz, puns, rollercoasters and of course, Sunny Deol. Her alterego may be Dee Punwallah.
