With the recent crop of releases, there appear to be a surfeit of Punjabi rhythms. Rahman is back holding the microphone in “Maahi Ve” and orchestral details abound in background scores. It’s not just about composing melodies, but telling a story through song and exploring situations in tracks.

Vidya Sridhar works at NASA and is a mom of two elemen 
tary school children. She lives and breathes all things filmi.

5. Harry is not a Brahmachari

15

Movie: Shaadi ke Side Effects;
Music: Pritam
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya
Singers: Jazzy B, Divya Kumar, Ishq
Bector

This is the first song from the new Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan release. It sounds fresh and fun. It adds a techno beat to a peppy Punjabi flavor. Definitely changes it up with some rap elements and some classical elements.

4. Jiya

16

Movie:  Gunday;
Music: Sohail Sen
Lyrics: Irshad Kamil
Singers: Arijit Singh,  et. al.

This is such a beautiful song—takes you on a romantic journey. It does grow on you, so be patient. Arjit Singh’s voice is both soothing and melodious. The background score is impressive and reminds me of Rahman.

3. Maahi Ve

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Movie: Highway;
Music: A.R. Rahman
Lyrics: Irshad Kamil

Singers: A.R. Rahman

Brilliant song sung soulfully by music maestro A.R. Rahman. This is a romantic number and brings out the heart of the storyline. Rahman has melted together the sounds of Punjab and Haryana into a beautiful melody.

2. Sunny Sunny

18

Movie: Yariyaan; Music:
Pritam (Guest Composer), Mithoon, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Arko
Pravo Mukerjee
Singers: Yo Yo Honey Singh, Neha Kakkar

This is such an upbeat song, rendered pitch perfect by Yo Yo Honey Singh and Neha Kakkar. It is a totallly fun dance number that you can’t stop listening to over and over again.

1. Zehnaseeb

19

Movie: Hasee toh Phassee;
Music: Shekhar Ravjiani, Vishal Dadlani
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya

Singer: Chinmayi Sripada, Shekhar Ravjiani

“One of my favorite love songs” tweeted Karan Johar and he’s right on the mark. It is lyrical and has a haunting quality, bringing out the pathos of love.