Habibi by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Salim Sulaiman

When Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Salim Sulaiman recorded Habibi, something special happened in the studio — and listeners have felt it ever since. What makes Habibi musically distinctive is the composition by , which balances simplicity with depth.

The voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Salim Sulaiman carries Habibi effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The connection between a talented ensemble cast and this song is part of what makes it resonate beyond the film itself.

2018 was a strong year for Indian Pop music, and Habibi was among the reasons why. The emotional register of Habibi is wide enough to fit celebration and solitude equally well.

Running to 4:51, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Habibi endures because it was built on feeling rather than formula — and that is the one thing streaming numbers cannot manufacture.