Jatt Lutiya Gaya - Champion by Shankar Sahney, Hema Sardesai

There is an honesty to Jatt Lutiya Gaya - Champion that separates it from most Hindi songs released around the same time. The production by Shankar Sahney, Anand Raaj Anand is understated in the best way — supportive without overshadowing the vocal.

The performance by Shankar Sahney, Hema Sardesai is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. 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.

2000 marked the release of Champion, and Jatt Lutiya Gaya - Champion was the track that ensured the album would be remembered. Whether it plays on a long drive, during a quiet evening at home, or through earphones on a crowded commute, the song meets the listener where they are.

Running to 4:02, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. The song continues to find new listeners, which is the surest sign that it was made with something genuine at its core.