Gulabi Odhna by Raju Punjabi, Ruchika Jangid, Anandita Sharma

Not every song from Gulabi Odhna lingers, but Gulabi Odhna is the one that stays. Credit goes to Raju Punjabi for a score that understands exactly what the song needs and nothing more.

The voice of Raju Punjabi, Ruchika Jangid, Anandita Sharma carries Gulabi Odhna effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. Anandita Sharma gave the film its soul, and Gulabi Odhna is the song that most directly channels that feeling into music.

The song dates from 2020, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. There is no right time to listen to Gulabi Odhna. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

At 3:31, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. This is music that holds up — not because it is perfect, but because it is honest, and honesty in a song is irreplaceable.