Demonetisation Anniversary: 6 Bollywood Songs That Tell You Why Money is So Important to Us

Be it 'Sabse Bada Rupaiyya' or 'Apna Sapna Money Money', we all have heard or used these in some conversations.

Money and its relevance to our lives need not be explained (the happiness on seeing ‘salary credited’ on the first day of every month explains it all). Naturally, we all felt the sting when the Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in our wallets were suddenly rendered worthless on November 8th, 2016. Demonetisation was a word we collectively learned exactly a year ago. And then standing in long queues outside ATMs, quarrelling with shopkeepers for Rs 2,000, we dealt with it all for good three months. While reams have been written on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s demonetisation move and its positive and negative impacts, we couldn’t help but think how Bollywood songs have time and again referred to money being the supreme being.

While Bollywood is usually accused of depicting things which are far from reality, we must admit that this time it has managed to hit the nail on the head. Since decades, Bollywood has created several songs that express the importance of money in our lives. Some even go on to say that money is more important than relations (unfortunately). Interestingly, some of these lyrics have even turned into catch-phrases, much like Bollywood dialogues. Be it ‘Sabse Bada Rupaiyya’ or ‘Apna Sapna Money Money’, we all have heard or used these in some conversations. As we complete one year after demonetisation, here is a compilation of Bollywood songs on money and how it is considered important than everything else.

Apna Sapna Money Money

Based entirely on money, this 2006 film, Apna Sapna Money Money, has Ritesh Deshmukh, Celina Jaitley, Koena Mitra, and Shreyas Talpade, in lead roles. Music director Pritam composed several hit numbers for this film, but the one that took the cake was Jai Jai Money, which was an ode to money in the lives of the characters in this film. Like sabse bada rupaiyya, this song has also been quoted often by people to profess their love for money.

Paisa Paisa Karti Hai

This song from De Dana Dan (2009), where Akshay Kumar is reprimanding Katrina Kaif for being a fan of, well, money, continues to remain a chartbuster hit. We all have been in that situation where we reminded our friends of clearing their dues with us, and in return heard ‘Paisa Paisa karti hai kyu paise pe tu marti hai’!

Na Biwi Na Bacha, Na Baap Bada Na Maiya, The Whole This Is That Ke Bhaiyya Sabse Bada Rupaiyya

Way back in 1976, music director Basu Manohari and actor-producer-singer Mehmood established the fact that the most important thing for existence is money. Money, it says, is more important than any relation in the world. Although sung in jest, it is ironic how true this song is, in the past, current as well as future generations. The hook like, ‘sabse bada rupaiyya’ is a commonly used phrase in conversations around money even today.

Pinky

While this film, a remake of 1973 hit Zanjeer (Yes, that film after which Amitabh Bachchan was crowned the ‘Angry Young Man’), didn’t do well at the box-office, this dance number sure did. The lyrics, paisa phek, tamasha dekh, are a sarcastic take on rampant corruption and bribery.

Cash meri Aankhon Me

Another film revolving around money is this 2007 film, Cash. The film has Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Esha Deol, Ritesh Deshmukh, Zayed Khan, Shamita Shetty and Dia Mirza in lead roles. This song was a big hit owing to its catchy tune and honest lyrics.

Paisa Yeh Paisa

One of the most popular songs from the 1980-sleeper hit Karz, this song shows Rishi Kapoor dancing to the tune of money, literally. The lyrics say ‘Nahee Koyee Aisa Jaisa Yeh Paisa. Ke Ho Musibat Naa Ho Musibat,’ (There is nothing like money, whether you are in trouble nor not). The song personifies money and explains how everything can be bought with money in this world.

Clearly, Bollywood has made it clear that money, in any form – be it in cash, kind or digital – is one of the most important things in our lives. So these were our top picks of Bollywood songs on money. What are yours? Let us know in the comment section below.