Naina Lahoo - Sayonee by Salman Ali

Salman Ali has delivered memorable performances before, but Naina Lahoo - Sayonee sits comfortably among the very best. Behind the melody is the work of Joy, Anjan, whose composition choices give Naina Lahoo - Sayonee its distinctive texture.

Every line Salman Ali sings feels considered, as though the performance was thought through long before recording began. The song is tied to a talented ensemble cast, whose presence gives Naina Lahoo - Sayonee a visual dimension that fans of the film will always associate with it.

By the end of 2020, Naina Lahoo - Sayonee had moved well beyond its original audience and into everyday playlists. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

Running to 4:09, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. It is, simply, one of the better songs to come from Hindi in recent memory — and the numbers agree.