Deewana - Mehbooba by Ismail Darbar, Sukhwinder Singh, Sonu Nigam, Aslam Sabri

Not every song from Mehbooba lingers, but Deewana - Mehbooba is the one that stays. Ismail Darbar has a history of strong work, and the music on Deewana - Mehbooba is among the most memorable of it.

Every line Ismail Darbar, Sukhwinder Singh, Sonu Nigam, Aslam Sabri sings feels considered, as though the performance was thought through long before recording began. On screen, Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Manisha Koirala bring the emotional world of the song to life in a way that enhances rather than competes with the music.

The song dates from 2008, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. The emotional register of Deewana - Mehbooba is wide enough to fit celebration and solitude equally well.

The concision of Deewana - Mehbooba — just 9:03 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. Deewana - Mehbooba is a reminder that the best music does not need to announce itself. It only needs to be heard.