Shiv Shambho - Rangrezz by C.S. Babu, Shankar Mahadevan

The Rangrezz album has several strong tracks, but Shiv Shambho - Rangrezz is the one most listeners come back to first. The arrangement here is the work of C.S. Babu, and it shows genuine craft in how it builds and releases.

C.S. Babu, Shankar Mahadevan brings a warmth to Shiv Shambho - Rangrezz that no production choice could manufacture — it has to be felt, and here it is. The story told by Jackky Bhagnani, Priya Anand, Rajpal Yadav, Amitosh Nagpal in Rangrezz finds its musical expression here — Shiv Shambho - Rangrezz is where the film's heart beats loudest.

2013 was a strong year for Hindi music, and Shiv Shambho - Rangrezz was among the reasons why. It is the kind of track that works at full volume with friends and equally well in a quiet room alone — the mood adjusts without the song changing.

At 4:34, 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 C.S. Babu, Shankar Mahadevan and C.S. Babu, working together, are capable of something well above the ordinary.