One Two Three Baby - Kismet by Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor

The Kismet album has several strong tracks, but One Two Three Baby - Kismet is the one most listeners come back to first. Mahendra Kapoor, O. P. Nayyar sets the tone from the very first bar — it is clear from the opening notes that this song means business.

The performance by Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor is the centrepiece here — controlled where it needs to be, open where it counts. Hearing One Two Three Baby - Kismet without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Kismet.

The song dates from 1968, but nothing about it sounds dated — the emotions it captures are not tied to a moment. There is no right time to listen to One Two Three Baby - Kismet. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

At 6:55, the track does not overstay its welcome — it says what it needs to say and leaves the listener wanting more. The track stands as evidence that Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor and Mahendra Kapoor, O. P. Nayyar, working together, are capable of something well above the ordinary.