Khokhe by Mankirt Aulakh, Simar Kaur

Not every song from Khokhe lingers, but Khokhe is the one that stays. The music, composed by Saheb, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

Every line Mankirt Aulakh, Simar Kaur sings feels considered, as though the performance was thought through long before recording began. On screen, a talented ensemble cast bring the emotional world of the song to life in a way that enhances rather than competes with the music.

In 2024, Punjabi produced many songs, but Khokhe was one of the handful that genuinely cut through. Listeners have described the experience of Khokhe differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

Running to 3:23, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. This is music that holds up — not because it is perfect, but because it is honest, and honesty in a song is irreplaceable.