In the fast-paced corporate world, fostering motivation and teamwork is crucial for achieving success. Whether it’s tackling tight deadlines, overcoming workplace challenges, or simply maintaining high morale, music plays a powerful role in boosting team spirit. Bollywood has long been a treasure trove of inspiring songs that can energize teams, reinforce leadership qualities, and cultivate a culture of excellence. From classic anthems to modern power-packed tracks, here’s a list of 20 motivational Bollywood songs that will ignite passion and camaraderie within your team.
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The Power of Music in Team Motivation
Research has shown that music can significantly impact workplace productivity, stress levels, and overall job satisfaction. A well-curated playlist can serve as a catalyst for team building and creating a positive work culture, fostering an environment where employees feel empowered. Whether you’re a learning consultant designing team-building activities or a leader focused on workplace happiness, the right music can amplify engagement and collaboration.
Let’s dive into some of the most powerful Bollywood songs that can uplift your team!
Classic Favorites That Never Fade
1. “Chak De! India (Title Track)” – Chak De! India, 2007
From the iconic sports drama Chak De! India, this track exudes teamwork and grit. A perfect anthem to rally your team before big challenges.
2. “Roobaroo” – Rang De Basanti, 2006
A timeless AR Rahman track that captures the fire of youthful energy and courage.
From the movie ‘Rang de Basanti’, this song composed by AR Rahman and sung by Naresh Iyer, topped the charts for many weeks in 2006 and even won the Filmfare award for best lyrics! There is probably no other movie that matches with the daring courage and youthful energy as this one! And this song radiates the passion and relentless passion of youthful exuberance!
3. “Baadal Pe Paon Hain” – Chak De! India, 2007
Another heart-pumping song from ‘Chak De! India’ – is a lively and peppy number, sure to bring down stress levels of your team. This song is about the feeling of having arrived, of having achieved something in life.
4. “Kuch Kariye” – Chak De! India, 2007
This song from the movie Chak de India, starring Shah Rukh Khan as the Coach of an unruly and disorderly gang of girls from the Indian hockey team roughly translates to “Do something, Every vein of mine is boiling ,enough of all this big talk, now do something!”
A song with empowering lyrics and engaging beats, that instigates the girls to ‘get on track and start training,’ has the power to motivate, like nothing else!
5. “Kar Har Maidan Fateh” – Sanju, 2018
A powerhouse song about overcoming personal battles and embracing courage.
This one is from the movie (Sanju) and sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Based on the life-story of Sanjay Dutt, the lyrics inspire one to break free of all shackles and win every battle courageously. The lyrics will spur you and your team to proceed to fight your battles even if luck does not favour you!
6. “Aashayein” – Iqbal, 2005
This heartfelt tune motivates listeners to dream big and face challenges with hope.
A chartbuster song from the movie ‘Iqbal,’ it stokes the inner fire of an individual while urging them to dream big and to ‘let the desires in your heart bloom!’ It is a song that can inspire your team to rise against all odds and bring out a sense of purpose, while filling them with positivity and hope.
7. “Zinda” – Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, 2013
An adrenaline-pumping anthem that celebrates resilience and determination.
This life-giving anthem from ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ is bound to get the adrenaline pumping and bring forth the passion In everyone’s heart! An inspirational song that can motivate your team and provide that extra boost of emotion needed to finish your project successfully. The energized beats can engage your team’s imagination and show them what they are capable of becoming or doing.
8. “Ruk Jaana Nahin” – Imtihaan, 1974
This iconic song is from the movie ‘Imtihaan’ (1974) and is sung by none other than, Kishore Kumar! The lyrics inspire resilience in the hearts of every listener! The world is a tough place, indeed, but you have to keep your head and spirits high to live in it. The song beautifully mentions how victory can only be achieved by enduring pain. A great song, it sure to bring back some nostalgic memories while inspiring your team to act!
9. “Duniya Mein Rehna Hai Toh” – Haathi Mere Saathi, 1971
A song that glorifies hard work, this one has been immortalized by the evergreen voice of Kishore Da!
From the movie ”Haathi Mere Saathi.” It paints the outside world as a tough place and encourages one to be fully prepared, for anything and everything. Enumerating the efforts of hard work, it articulates that nothing comes for free in this world and you must work hard to earn your bread.
10. “Besabriyaan” – M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, 2016
This song urges one to get up and get going! From the self-titled movie on MS Dhoni, it follows his initial days of struggle. This song talks about how one can always find time for their passion!
11. “Phir Se Ud Chala” – Rockstar, 2011
A coming-of-age song from the movie ‘Rockstar,‘ this one talks about the unyielding dreams of an artist. It is about a young man, struggling to find himself, spiritually and artistically. The song will resonate better with the youngsters in the team, with its mix of rock beat and soulful music!
12. “Aas Paas Hai Khuda” – Anjaana Anjaani, 2010
A very melodious tune from the movie ‘Anjana Anjani,’ sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, this song urges you to trust in God while putting in the work, to reach your goals. Slightly spiritual in nature, this song assures humankind of God’s presence and to accept all difficulties as God’s will and get past them. The song talks about accepting life’s hardships graciously and overcoming them with confidence. A very pleasant and inspiring song to listen to – it is the perfect song to play when closing the day or an event, with your team.
13. “Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna” – The Legend of Bhagat Singh, 2022
An Urdu patriotic poem written by Bismil Azimabadi is as an ode to young freedom fighters of the Indian Independence movement. This electric song from the movie ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh’ with Ajay Devgan in the lead role, is a song made for the younger generation, oozing team spirit and the magnetic appeal of a
Fresh Additions for Today’s Teams
14. “Apna Time Aayega” – Gully Boy, 2019
This electrifying track from Gully Boy is about self-belief and seizing opportunities.
15. “Pathaan Anthem” – Pathaan, 2023
A new-age track with thrilling beats, ideal for teams gearing up to conquer new heights.
16. “Namo Namo” – Kedarnath, 2018
With its spiritual undertones, this song inspires persistence and faith in the journey.
17. “Rangisari” – Jugjugg Jeeyo, 2022
A lively, colorful tune perfect for light-hearted moments and breaking the monotony.
18. “Deva Deva” – Brahmāstra, 2022
A song filled with positivity and energy, reminding teams of the light within.
Team-Centric Anthems
19. “Saathi Haath Badhana” – Naya Daur, 1957
This evergreen track reinforces the power of teamwork and unity.
An iconic song, this one inspires team-work and positivity. The lyrics roughly translate into “any weight is to be lifted together as one person alone will get tired” followed by “oceans and mountains make way for us when we are united!”
Listening to this number with your team members will surely ignite passion and unite your team in a way, no other song can!
20. “Chale Chalo” – Lagaan, 2001
A rousing anthem to inspire collective action and perseverance.
The iconic team anthem from the movie ‘Lagaan,’ it is a powerful song with very uplifting beats! This song can charge up your team with its brilliant tempo, empowering lyrics and get the adrenaline flowing. It can help the team look forward to taking new challenges with a zeal to emerge victorious and thus, urge them to face all problems, head on!
21. “Lakshya (title track)” – Lakshya, 2004
The self-titled anthem from “Lakshya” is all about finding a vision or a goal and working towards it. The song inspires teams to find a common goal, put in all their resources into it, and work with complete dedication towards achieving that goal.
22. “Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe” – Lakshya, 2004
A song that beautifully captures the spirit of togetherness.
Another motivational gem of a song from the movie ‘Lakshya,‘ it is a song which inspires your team to change the way they feel and think about themselves. This song inspires positive emotions like excitement, pride, a sense of belonging, and the thrill of achievement.
23. “Jagga Jiteya” – Uri, 2019
With its fervent energy, this track is all about working as one strong, cohesive unit.
This song from ‘Uri,’ with its Punjabi undertones and fervid patriotism, is bound to give anyone goosebumps! The song, picturized while the Indian army was preparing for its surgical strike at Uri, will inspire your team to act as one unbreakable unit towards the collective goal.
24. “Ziddi Dil” – Mary Kom, 2014
A motivational tune that celebrates the power of persistence.
The song is from the self-titled movie about ‘Mary Kom’ and her struggle to train for her national boxing championship in a predominantly male dominated world. The song traces her journey and talks about how in spite of facing opposition from everyone, this “ziddi” (obstinate) girl undergoes gruelling training sessions in professional boxing to emerge a winner, in a traditionally male dominated sport.
Lesser-Known Gems for Unique Moments
25. “Jeetega Jeetega” – 83, 2021
Captures the spirit of an underdog team achieving greatness.
26. “Dil Dhadakne Do” – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, 2011
A fun track to remind your team to enjoy the journey while pursuing goals.
27. “Ruk Jaana Nahin” – Imtihaan, 1974
A soulful reminder of resilience and perseverance.
28. “Brothers Anthem” – Brothers, 2015
A high-energy track to energize and unify your team.
The self-titled power anthem, starring Akshay Kumar and Siddharth Malhotra has so much energy in it that it could bring a dead person back to life! The raw energy and ferocity with which the duo train to become champions could inspire teams to put in the exertion, creativity, and sacrifice needed to exceed their own wildest expectations.
29. “Soorma Anthem” – Soorma, 2018
Celebrates triumph over adversity, inspiring your team to rise above challenges.
This self-titled anthem song from ‘Soorma’ is about Sandeep, a hockey player, who is wounded by a stray gunshot that leaves him paralysed. The inspiring part of the film is about how he overcomes his handicap and returns to the game, to finally win an Arjuna award. And this song captures the struggle and the passion needed to overcome every struggle in life, beautifully!
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How to Use Music in the Workplace
Now that you have this playlist, here are some creative ways to incorporate music into your team’s daily work culture:
• Start meetings with an uplifting track to set a positive tone.
• Use music for ice-breaking activities in leadership team-building sessions.
• Play songs during training workshops to keep energy levels high.
• Incorporate music into employee engagement activities to create a fun and collaborative environment.
Build Your Playlist
Music has a unique way of fostering collaboration, boosting morale, and inspiring teams to achieve their best. Whether you’re working on cultural transformation, change leadership, or enhancing soft skills, the right music can make a significant impact.
What are your go-to motivational songs? Share your favorites in the comments and let’s build the ultimate workplace playlist together!
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