Like Karda by Baani Sandhu

Like Karda works because it does not try to do too much — it finds one feeling and holds it perfectly. Credit goes to Kaptaan for a score that understands exactly what the song needs and nothing more.

There are singers who perform songs and singers who live inside them. On Like Karda, Baani Sandhu clearly belongs in the second group. Featuring a talented ensemble cast, the song carries the weight of the film's emotional arc and delivers it with conviction.

2022 was a strong year for Punjabi music, and Like Karda was among the reasons why. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

In 2:26 minutes, Like Karda builds, opens up, and resolves in a way that feels complete rather than truncated. This is music that holds up — not because it is perfect, but because it is honest, and honesty in a song is irreplaceable.