The Best Indian music videos of 2024 come from Bloodywood, Chaar Diwaari, Krantinaari, Paal Dabba and Hanumankind, among others. Photos: Apurva Jadhav (Krantinaari), Samrat Nagar (Hanumankind)
From the very first day of the year, we saw compelling visual stories that matched up to (and even sometimes surpassed) the sonic power of Indian songs, often directed by the artists themselves. Here are our top 10 Indian music videos of 2024, in no particular order.
Hanumankind, Kalmi – “Big Dawgs”
Sitting somewhere in between being the song everyone rooted for and the one that everyone’s sick of (a common symptom of living in the keyboard warrior age on the Internet), Hanumankind and Kalmi’s “Big Dawgs” instant appeal came from its adrenaline-surging music video directed by go-to filmmaker Bijoy Shetty. Taking us straight into the Well of Death, the force of Hanumankind’s lyrics and Kalmi’s production really hits harder over zooming motorbikes and even a Maruti 800, which the rapper gets into with total gusto. It’s inspired tributes, edits and parodies alike, finding a permanent place in Indian music video hall of fame.
Bloodywood – “Bekhauf” ft Babymetal
As “Bekhauf” was being road-tested at New Delhi folk-metallers Bloodywood’s live shows in India in recent months, people could kind of guess it was a collaboration with Japanese metal favorites Babymetal. But what no one was prepared for was Bloodywood’s first animated video to go with it, directed by Debjyoti Saha. It’s a heroic team-up between the two global metal forces to push past levels to reach their final boss, relaying the poignant message that they’ll stay fearless against scars and setbacks sustained in life’s battles.
Raghu Dixit – “Alemaari”
Shot across 18 months, the music video for “Alemaari” off Bengaluru folk-fusion artist Raghu Dixit’s album Shakkar was also prepping him to become a feature film director in 2025. If the roving, surreal and cinematic aesthetic of “Alemaari” is anything to go by, Dixit is probably going to make a resounding artistic statement with the film. Reflecting the nature of nomads and how demons can’t be escaped, this music video sees Dixit deliver a solid performance even as an actor, although he was playing out his life’s learnings – this time in the middle of thousands of aghoris in Varanasi.
Paal Dabba – “Kaathu Mela”
Tamil pop culture has often had acerbic criticisms of law enforcement authorities and it’s safe to say Paal Dabba and OfRo’s runaway hit “Kaathu Mela” kind of adds to the narrative, but in his own Gen-Z, dance-off, comedy way. Like Dixit, Paal Dabba too turns director and it’s entertainment guaranteed, from brawls to sassy dance moves to an ultimately allegorical-yet-straightforward story about the artist’s run-in with the law.
Neeraj Madhav, Baby Jean, Dabzee, Rzee – “Ballaatha Jaathi”
Actor and hip-hop artist Neeraj Madhav aka NJ’s song “Ballaatha Jaathi” had a bit of Malabar flavor delivered by Baby Jean, Dabzee and producer Rzee but the music video directed by Pranav Sasidharan took Malayalam hip-hop to a new level. From film-level production values to action sequences and VFX galore, this shiny video was inspired a bit by Arabian Tales and gave it the pomp of hip-hop, with NJ, Dabzee and Baby Jean turning superheroes.
Ereimang – “Heirangkhoi”
Filmed in late 2023 when Manipur continued to be torn by strife and neglected from authorities, the music video for “Heirangkhoi” by rock band Ereimang proved once again why artistic voices are indispensable. “Heirangkhoi” blends ancient tribal tales, dance forms (with performers Ningthouja and Purnima Yengkokpam) and heavy rock riffs. The music video, directed by Heisnam Shantanu and filmed by Khaba Maimom, took the band in the middle of a paddy field (where they could’ve been open targets for militant forces) to rock out, interspersed with riveting folk storytelling.
Krantinaari, C4ge, Brecilla – “Roots”
Mumbai hip-hop artist Krantinaari has been steadily making her mark on the world as both, a solo artist and part of the group Wild Wild Women. Her reverence for artistry above all is at the center of it, and she explores what exactly it is that drives her, almost like a statement of purpose on “Roots,” with producer C4ge and singer-songwriter Brecilla. The rapper gathers cinematographers Abhimanyu Ulhas, rapper Aklesh Sutar aka MC Mawali and C4ge aka Ganesh Murthi to follow her at shorelines and bonfires alike, spliced with documentary-style footage of different communities for whom tradition is the truest source of expression. Few things can inspire artistry better.
Karun, Lambo Drive, Arpit Bala & Revo Lekhak – “Maharani”
On the very first day of 2024, the viral desi hip-hop song “Maharani” got a music video that was peak Bollywood-inspired but with DIY ethos at the center of it. Steeped in Dev.D aesthetics, the music video by filmmaker Aashish Gelal aka Sheesh brought in hip-hop artist Karun as a spurned lover drowning his sorrows (until he turns wedding crasher at his ex’s marriage), with Revo Lekhak, Arpit Bala and producer Lambo Drive in the backing band. Throw in a few cameos and a twist, the fun that these independent artists had making this music video clearly shows in every frame.
Chaar Diwaari – “LOVESEXDHOKA!!!”
In the quest for finding the perfect intersection of music and filmmaking, Chaar Diwaari has always let primal nature take over and we’re here for it. Written by Tushar Ronak and directed by Chaar Diwaari, “LOVESEXDHOKA!!!” is hilarious, dark and dramatic in ways that you can’t expect Bollywood to be, even though it does borrow from the disco days of the Eighties and place it in a modern context. Luck is everything and Chaar Diwaari eventually runs out, undone by his hubris in spectacular fashion.
Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, Jhalli – “Main Character Energy”
Last year saw singer-songwriters Sanjeeta Bhattacharya and Jhalli aka Aaliyah Qureishi gain mainstream recognition by acting in the Shah Rukh Khan actioner Jawan, so it’s no surprise that they wanted to make their intentions clear by releasing a song called “Main Character Energy.” Directed by Nivedita Mahesh, the music video might revel in its campiness, but it’s still all heart and anchored in some solid vocal (and of course, acting) chops from Bhattacharya and Jhalli, who are clearly enjoying the aspirational vibes they can pass along.
