Bollywood music began with the birth of Indian cinema in the 1930s. Early soundtracks were heavily influenced by Indian classical music and folk traditions. Songs were often performed live on set, blending ragas with poetic lyrics. Composers like R.C. Boral and Khemchand Prakash helped shape the sound of early Hindi cinema, laying the foundation for film music as an essential storytelling tool.

Often called the golden era of Bollywood music, this period produced timeless melodies filled with emotion, elegance, and depth. Legendary playback singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, and Kishore Kumar rose to prominence, backed by brilliant composers such as S.D. Burman, Naushad, and Shankar–Jaikishan. Orchestration became more refined, blending Indian and Western classical styles, while lyrics carried philosophical and romantic weight.

The 1970s brought bolder rhythms and funkier grooves. R.D. Burman revolutionized Bollywood music with his innovative use of electronic instruments, global influences, and modern studio techniques. Songs became catchier and more dance-driven, while the disco craze of the ’80s — led by Bappi Lahiri — added synthesizers, glam, and global pop energy to the scene. The music reflected changing urban lifestyles and cinematic trends.

Bollywood entered a new phase of melodrama and musical richness in the ’90s. Composers like Nadeem–Shravan, Anu Malik, and Jatin–Lalit delivered romantic anthems that became wedding staples and chart-toppers. Simultaneously, A.R. Rahman burst onto the scene, transforming Bollywood music with fresh production, multicultural influences, and cinematic grandeur — most notably with Roja and Bombay. This era also marked the rise of music videos and cassette culture in India.

Bollywood music in the 2000s embraced fusion — blending traditional Indian instruments with global styles like hip-hop, EDM, and reggae. Playback singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, and Arijit Singh dominated charts. Digital downloads and streaming platforms shifted music consumption, while music directors like Vishal–Shekhar and Pritam catered to a youth-driven, genre-fluid audience.

Today’s Bollywood sound is a mosaic of genres — from soulful ballads and indie-pop to rap verses and electronic drops. Artists like Arijit Singh, Neha Kakkar, and Badshah coexist with remixes of classics from the ’70s and ’90s, creating a blend of old and new. Vinyl reissues of golden-era soundtracks, cassette nostalgia, and deluxe box sets have revived interest in the rich musical history of Indian cinema, appealing to collectors and cinephiles worldwide.