Vinod got his first break from music director Usha Khanna for the song “Mere Dil Mein Hai Andhera” (“Bedaag”, 1986). However, it was only when he sang “Badal Pe Chalke Aa” (“Vijay”,  1988) with Lata Mangeshkar that he got noticed. By this time, he had started singing for some well known music directors like Shiv - Hari and Laxmikant - Pyarelal. The songs “Parbat Se Kali Ghata Takrai” and “Shehron Mein Ek Shehar Suna” in “Chandni” (1989) established him as a bankable Hindi film singer.

The songs of “Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja” (1992), especially “Romeo Naam Mera”,  furthered his career in Hindi films. This was the time when music directors Nadeem - Shravan were at the peak of their popularity following the success of “Aashiqui” (1990). Despite their formidable track record with singer Kumar Sanu, they decided to give Vinod Rathod a chance to sing for Shahrukh Khan in the film “Deewana” (1992). Their gamble paid off and Vinod’s two songs in the film, “Aisi Deewangi” and “Koi Na Koi Chahiye”, became big hits. As a result, Vinod started getting a steady flow of offers. He worked with Laxmikant - Pyarelal in “Bedardi” (1993), “Gumrah” (1993) and “Prem Granth” (1996) and with Anu Malik in “Baazigar” (1992) and “Virasat” (1997). “Dholi Taro Dhol Baje” (“Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”, 1999) was probably Vinod’s last significant contribution in the 1990s.

With the entry of new singers in the film industry, offers dried up but not before Vinod Rathod delivered another hit with “Chhalak Chhalak” (“Devdas”, 2002).

Vinod is an ardent Kishore Kumar fan and emulates his singing style. Apart from Hindi, he has sung in other regional languages.

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