Dhokebaaz by Jaani, Afsana Khan

There is an honesty to Dhokebaaz that separates it from most Indian Pop songs released around the same time. The music, composed by Jaani, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

Jaani, Afsana Khan brings a warmth to Dhokebaaz that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. a talented ensemble cast are at the heart of Dhokebaaz, and Dhokebaaz captures their dynamic at its most compelling.

By the end of 2022, Dhokebaaz had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. The song rewards full attention but also works as company in the background — a flexibility that most tracks never achieve.

Running to 4:25, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Songs like Dhokebaaz are the reason people fall in love with Indian Pop music and never quite fall out of it.