Indian music experienced a significant surge in sales during the 1990s, particularly with the rise of film music and the emergence of Indipop. The increase in the number of record labels led to albums frequently surpassing one million units sold, with some even exceeding the remarkable milestone of ten million, a feat previously deemed impossible. However, this flourishing period lasted only 15 years, as the advent of streaming platforms drastically diminished physical sales and altered the criteria for musical success. Nevertheless, this era allowed an 'accidental singer' to achieve a sales record that is unlikely to be surpassed, with 55 million copies sold of a cult album that has remained India's best-selling for nearly two decades.

India's best-selling album of all time

Throughout the 1990s, the soundtrack for Aashiqui by Nadeem-Shravan and Daler Mehndi's Bolo Ta Ra Ra.. were the top-selling Indian albums, each achieving sales of 15 million (1.5 crore). They were tied with Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan's Young Tarang for the highest-selling South Asian album ever. However, this record was shattered by composer Himesh Reshammiya's debut album as a singer, Aap Ka Surroor. According to Koimoi, this album sold 55 million (5.5 crore) copies globally, competing with some of the best-selling albums worldwide. Notably, this figure is only 15 million less than Michael Jackson's iconic album, Thriller. The reported sales of Aap Ka Surroor also surpass those of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon (45 million), Adele's 21 (31 million), and The Beatles' 1 (31 million).

The accidental singer who beat legends

Himesh Reshammiya remarked that he was thriving as a composer and had no intentions of becoming a singer; however, the emergence of a fitting song changed his trajectory. The popularity of these songs ultimately transformed him into a phenomenon. Notably, during the peak of Indipop in the 1990s, no private album surpassed sales of 8 million copies, including notable works such as Sonu Nigam's Deewana and Alisha Chinai's Made in India. Even prominent figures like AR Rahman and Diljit Dosanjh, who have achieved international acclaim, do not possess any albums in the 10+ million sales range, let alone approaching the remarkable figure of 55 million.

The craze of Aap Ka Surroor

Himesh Reshammiya commenced his career as a composer with a single track in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) before securing his first complete album with Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge. In 2005, he ventured into playback singing with his albums, beginning with Aashiq Banaya Aapne, which became one of the year's top-selling albums. His success as a singer continued with contributions to the soundtracks of Aksar, Humko Deewana Kar Gaye, Phir Hera Pheri, and Dil Diya Hai, which motivated him to create his own album. Consequently, Aap Ka Surroor was launched. Released in January 2006, the album featured 11 original tracks and 7 remixes. Chart-topping hits included Tera Surroor, Naam Hai Tera, Samjho Na, Tu Yaad Na Aaye, Wada Tainu, and I Love You Sayyoni. All songs were both sung and composed by Himesh, with lyrics penned by Sameer, while DJ Akbar Sami managed the remixes.

The music videos achieved significant popularity, featuring Deepika Padukone in her screen debut for the song "Naam Hai Tera." The album's success resulted in the production of a film bearing the same name. "Aap Kaa Surroor" represented Himesh's first foray into acting, alongside co-stars Hansika Motwani and Malika Sherawat. A sequel titled "Teraa Surroor" was subsequently released in 2016.

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