Emi - Emi by Sanjay Dutt, Suzan, Earl, Mahalakshmi Iyer

Emi - Emi works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. The music, composed by Chirantann Bhatt, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Emi - Emi, Sanjay Dutt, Suzan, Earl, Mahalakshmi Iyer clearly belongs in the second group. 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.

2008 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Emi - Emi was among the reasons why. Listeners have described the experience of Emi - Emi differently — romantic, melancholic, uplifting — which suggests the song is large enough to hold many truths.

At 4:25, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. The song continues to find new listeners, which is the surest sign that it was made with something genuine at its core.