Zihaal e Miskin by Javed-Mohsin, Vishal Mishra, Shreya Ghoshal

There is an honesty to Zihaal e Miskin that separates it from most Indian Pop songs released around the same time. Behind the melody is the work of Javed-Mohsin, Laxmikant - Pyarelal, whose composition choices give Zihaal e Miskin its distinctive texture.

Every line Javed-Mohsin, Vishal Mishra, Shreya Ghoshal sings feels considered, as though the performance was thought through long before recording began. Hearing Zihaal e Miskin without thinking of a talented ensemble cast is almost impossible for anyone who has seen Zihaal e Miskin.

2023 was a strong year for Indian Pop music, and Zihaal e Miskin was among the reasons why. There is no right time to listen to Zihaal e Miskin. There is only the moment you press play and realise it was the right choice.

The 4:03 runtime feels perfectly judged — long enough to develop its ideas, short enough to compel a second play. The staying power of Zihaal e Miskin is not a mystery. It is just what happens when every element of a song is exactly right.