Hey Nila Nila by Sithara Krishnakumar, Saurav Prabhakaran

Hey Nila Nila is the kind of song that earns its place in a playlist and then refuses to leave. Sanjay Sukumaran sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

The performance by Sithara Krishnakumar, Saurav Prabhakaran is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. Featuring a talented ensemble cast, the song carries the weight of the film's emotional arc and delivers it with conviction.

When it came out in 2021, Hey Nila Nila felt timely. Years later, it feels timeless. There is no right time to listen to Hey Nila Nila. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

Running to 3:27, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. The staying power of Hey Nila Nila is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.