Khoya Khoya by Kabir Rafi, Vandana Susheel

Not every song from Khoya Khoya lingers, but Khoya Khoya is the one that stays. Kabir Rafi, Vandana Susheel's arrangement gives the track a layered quality that rewards repeated listening.

The voice of Kabir Rafi, Vandana Susheel carries Khoya Khoya effortlessly, which is the highest compliment a song can give its singer. The song is tied to Hemanth, Aashu, Rachana, whose presence gives Khoya Khoya a visual dimension that fans of the film will always associate with it.

In 2020, Malayalam produced many songs, but Khoya Khoya was one of the handful that genuinely cut through. There is no right time to listen to Khoya Khoya. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

The concision of Khoya Khoya — just 2:42 — is part of what makes it work. There is nothing here that should not be. Khoya Khoya has earned its place in the catalogue of Malayalam music that genuinely matters. The listeners who found it early already knew.