Vinod Rathod turns 63
By Amit Kumar
Vinod Rathod, a celebrated Indian playback singer, was born on 12 September 1962 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Born into a musically gifted family, his father, Pandit Chaturbhuj Rathod, was a well-known classical musician. Vinod’s upbringing in such an environment deeply influenced his musical journey, and he was trained by his father from an early age.
Vinod Rathod made his professional singing debut in 1986 when renowned music director Usha Khanna recognized his talent from a cassette recording and called him to sing a qawwali titled “Mere Dil Main Hai Andhera, Koi Shamma To Jala De” for the film Do Yaar. This marked the beginning of a prolific career, during which he worked with many top music composers including Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Anu Malik, Bappi Lahiri, Nadeem-Shravan and others.
His initial breakthrough came when composers Shiv-Hari invited him to sing alongside Lata Mangeshkar and Suresh Wadekar in the song “Baadal Pe Chalke Aa.” This success paved the way for more big hits, including the famous “Romeo Naam Mera” from Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1992) composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, which established him as a sought-after voice in Bollywood. He also lent his voice to iconic actors such as Rishi Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, and Govinda in popular films throughout the 1990s.
Among his notable songs are “Aisi Deewangi” from Deewana, “Chupana Bhi Nahin Aata” from Baazigar, and “Dholi Taro Dhol Baje” from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Vinod Rathod’s versatility and emotional delivery made him a distinguished figure in Indian film music. Over his career, he has sung more than 3500 songs across multiple languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and more. His contribution has been recognized with nominations for prestigious awards like the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer.
Today, his birthday anniversary on 12 September reminds fans and music lovers of his rich legacy in Bollywood music—a legacy born from talent, discipline, and a deep-rooted love for classical and film music nurtured since childhood. Vinod Rathod’s journey continues to inspire aspiring singers and music enthusiasts alike.