One Take Songs
By: Lights Camera Chandan
Tags: Bollywood Songs, Bollywood, One Take

Songs had been an integral part of Bollywood movies. Songs not only takes the narrative forward but also adds a lot of value to the movie. Songs often requires planning by the director, cameraman and the choreographers before shooting. Some songs demands location to support the song lyrics and the story, some demands an atmosphere created to support the tempo of the song.

Photo by Natalie Parham on Unsplash

A song is a collaborative effort of the Lyricist, Music Director, Musicians, Singers, Cameraman, Choreographers, Actor Performing, Background Dancers and the Director. The Costume Designer, Set Designer and the Editor adds the visual feel to the song.

Generally songs are made with many cuts but there are only a handful of songs made without any cut. Songs made without any cut requires a lot of planning from both the director, cameraman and the choreographer and may need hundreds of background dancers who would fill the transition gap and lot of camera movements. And let me remind you, it’s not at all easy work to execute.

I’ll list the “One Take Songs” sorted year wise. If I missed any, do let me know in comments. So, here we go -

Roop Tera Mastana — Aradhana (1969)

Aradhana, starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore was released in 1969. The song was sung by Kishore Kumar, lyrics were composed by Anand Bakshi and music was composed by SD Burman was a massive hit and still loved today. Lesser known to people that it was shot in a single take under the guidance of cinematographer Aloke Das Gupta.

Barson Ke Baad — Anjaam (1994)

Anjaam, better known for Madhuri’s “Chane Ke Khet Mein” and Shahrukh’s portraying a character with grey shades. Other Popular songs from this movie are “Badi Mushkil Hai”. You can also see Madhuri’s handling herself against wind and managing her Yellow Saree with ease.

Chalein Jaise Hawayein — Main Hoon Naa (2004)

This movie is known for Farah Khan’s debut movie as a director, Shahrukh Khan’s rickshaw stunt, Sushmita Sen as Miss Chandni and also one of those songs pulled in one shot. This song didn’t had a single camera instead each actor was given a camera which followed them as the song progressed. This one is Farah’s commendable job in pulling off this song so well with giant number of extra and crew members.

I Want To Make Love To You — Aitraaz (2004)

Adaptation of Hollywood movie Disclosure, Priyanka chopra in Aitraaz was critically acclaimed for her bold and negative role along with her charming looks. This song was not as popular as the movie but this song was shot beautifully in one shot.

Ae Chhori Zara Nach Ke Dikha — Cash (2007)

This song from multi-starrer movie Cash starring Ajay Devgn, Dia Mirza, Sunil Shetty, Riteish Deshmukh, Zayed Khan, Isha Deol and Shamita Shetty became popular for its location which appeared like maze. This song was shot in one take and you can see the actors performing and running through the walls of the maze structure. In the last you can also see the actors getting exhausted.

Raabta — Agent Vinod (2012)

Raabta does not have any dance moves instead has the action sequence where Saif is saving Kareena from goons in a hotel. If you have not watched it is recommended to watch as it will show Sriram Raghavan’s direction skill.

Gallan Goodiyan — Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

I love this song not only because of its lyrics and great dance but also for the smooth camera transitions through the crowd and then focusing on one actor then widening the screen to accommodate more of them. This is one of the best one when comes to camera movement, clean and smooth direction and maintaining high energy throughout the song. Zoya, Bosco Caesar and their team had done a great job. The background dancers have not only supported the high energy of the song but also helped in the smooth movement of camera from one actor to another.

Sexy Baliye — Secret Superstar (2017)

Aamir Khan is known as “the perfectionist”, and that is for a reason. Watch this song to see him playing a character who is very self centred and is launching his music video. This is hilarious watching how Aamir Khan punches the background dancers in the flow and ends up messing the music video and trying to keep up the momentum. You will both end up laughing at the end and appreciating his effort.

Dil Bechara — Dil Bechara (2020)

Unfortunately this was the last movie of late Sushant Singh Rajput but the choreography of this song is at par. Also, it shows the skill of Sushant to pull of longs shot song.

Few Other Songs With Long Shots But Not One Shot Song

Ek Se Bure Do (2009)

Starring : Arshad Warsi and Rajpal Yadav.

The title track of this movie has only two shots and it may appear one shot song. The transition of the shots are also very smooth. Unfortunately, I didn’t found the video clip, but you can watch it on youtube.

Ni Jana (2021)

Starring : Jasleen Royal ft. Radhika Madan

This song is shot beautifully and has amazing smooth dance moves. Again this song has two long shots and it would be difficult for the viewer to find the transition.

There are other songs too having two long shots with very smooth transitions.