BOLLYWOOD
GUITAR
CHORDS

Chord progressions for the most-loved Hindi film songs — from 90s classics to the latest hits. Strumming patterns and capo tips included.

The Secret of Bollywood Chords

Most Bollywood songs use just 3–4 chords. The magic is in the combination, the key, and the strumming feel — not the complexity. The most commonly used chord progression across all of Hindi film music is:

The Most Common Bollywood Progression: Am – F – C – G
  • This 4-chord loop (i – VI – III – VII in A minor) powers hundreds of Hindi songs
  • With a capo at different frets, the same shape plays in any key to match the original recording
  • Strumming pattern: D – U – U – D – U (standard Bollywood pattern) fits 90% of these songs
  • Once you have these 4 chords plus the F barre chord, you can play the bulk of the list below

Popular Bollywood Songs — Chords & Key

Tum Hi Ho
Aashiqui 2 (2013) · Arijit Singh
Beginner
Verse: Am – F – C – G
Chorus: Am – F – C – G
Capo: No capo (or Capo 1 for original key) Strumming: D-U-U-D-U Tip: Use Fmaj7 instead of F for easier playing
Kal Ho Na Ho
Kal Ho Na Ho (2003) · Sonu Nigam
Beginner
Verse: C – G – Am – F
Chorus: C – G – Am – F
Capo: Capo 2 Strumming: D-D-U-D-U Tip: Medium tempo — use metronome at 80 BPM
Channa Mereya
Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) · Arijit Singh
Beginner
Verse: G – D – Em – C
Chorus: G – D – Em – C
Capo: Capo 3 Strumming: D-U-U-D-U (medium-fast) Tip: The chord shapes are the same as Kal Ho Na Ho — just moved to G
Kesariya
Brahmastra (2022) · Arijit Singh
Beginner
Main: Em – G – D – A
Capo: No capo Strumming: D-D-U-U-D-U (driving feel) Tip: The A chord here is A major — bright resolution against minor opening
Raabta
Agent Sai Srinivasa (2018) · Arijit Singh
Easy-Mid
Verse: Am – C – G – F
Pre-chorus: Dm – G
Capo: Capo 1 Strumming: Fingerpicking or D-U-U-D Tip: Works beautifully with fingerpicking Pattern 2 (P-I-M-A)
Phir Mohabbat
Murder 2 (2011) · Arijit Singh
Easy-Mid
Main: Dm – Am – Bb – C
Capo: No capo (Bb = barre at fret 1 on A-shape) Strumming: Slow fingerpicking Tip: Practice the Dm-Am switch — index finger stays on same fret
Dil Diyan Gallan
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) · Atif Aslam
Easy-Mid
Verse: G – Em – C – D
Chorus: G – D – Em – C
Capo: Capo 2 Strumming: D-U-D-U (simple, emotional)
Tera Ban Jaunga
Kabir Singh (2019) · Akhil
Intermediate
Main: C – Am – F – G
Bridge: Dm – G – Am
Capo: Capo 3 Strumming: D-U-U-D-U-U (triplet feel)

Most Reused Bollywood Progressions

These 6 progressions cover the majority of all Bollywood songs from the last 20 years. Learn them all and you can play almost anything.

The Arijit Standard
Am – F – C – G
Tum Hi Ho, Raabta, 100+ songs
Romantic Major
C – G – Am – F
Kal Ho Na Ho, Dil Chahta Hai
Emotional Descent
Am – G – F – E
Classic 90s sad songs, Jaadu Teri Nazar
Uplifting Anthem
G – D – Em – C
Channa Mereya, Ik Vaari Aa
Slow Ballad
Dm – Am – Bb – C
Phir Mohabbat, slower romantic songs
Folk-Pop
Em – G – D – A
Kesariya, Desi folk-influenced hits

Learn These Songs Properly

Our instructors teach popular Bollywood songs from day 1 of the beginner course. Book a free demo.

Book Free Demo Class Arijit Singh Songs

More Song Guides

Easy Hindi Songs

12 beginner-friendly Hindi songs with chords

Arijit Singh on Guitar

His most iconic songs with full chord charts

Easy English Songs

International songs every beginner should know

Basic Chords Guide

Master the chords used across all these songs

Strumming Patterns

D-U notation for Bollywood & pop rhythms

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