Aala Re Paoos Aala - Safari by Amit Kumar, Alka Yagnik, Shyam, Mohan

Aala Re Paoos Aala - Safari is the kind of song that earns its place in a playlist and then refuses to leave. The production by Shyam, Mohan is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

Every line Amit Kumar, Alka Yagnik, Shyam, Mohan sings feels considered, as though the performance was thought through long before recording began. Sanjay Dutt, Juhi Chawla gave the film its soul, and Aala Re Paoos Aala - Safari is the song that most directly channels that feeling into music.

1999 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Aala Re Paoos Aala - Safari was among the reasons why. There is no right time to listen to Aala Re Paoos Aala - Safari. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

The concision of Aala Re Paoos Aala - Safari — just 4:31 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. It is, at the end of it, a very good song — and sometimes that is the only explanation that matters.