Opening - Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Opening - Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 arrived from the Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 album and quickly became one of the most replayed tracks of 1994. The music, composed by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Roger White, carries the song forward with a confidence that matches the performance.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan inhabits this song completely, making every phrase feel like it was written specifically for this voice. The connection between a talented ensemble cast and this song is part of what makes it resonate beyond the film itself.

When it came out in 1994, Opening - Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 felt timely. Years later, it feels timeless. It fits the playlist for almost any occasion, which is rare — most songs have a narrow emotional window. This one does not.

Running to 1:56, the song is exactly as long as it needs to be, which is the hardest length for a songwriter to find. Songs like Opening - Bandit Queen, Vol. 51 are the reason people fall in love with Hindi music and never quite fall out of it.