Dhak Dhuk - English Vinglish by Amit Trivedi

Amit Trivedi has delivered memorable performances before, but Dhak Dhuk - English Vinglish sits comfortably among the very best. Amit Trivedi, Swanand Kirkire sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

The performance by Amit Trivedi is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. The story told by a talented ensemble cast in English Vinglish finds its musical expression here — Dhak Dhuk - English Vinglish is where the film's heart beats loudest.

The song dates from 2012, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

Running to 5:02, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, at the end of it, a very good song — and sometimes that is the only explanation that matters.