Soorma song 'Pardesiya': Suffering, survival and love battle one other in this melancholic number

The story of Sandeep Singh's challenge was bound to have an inspiring soundtrack to back it up. After the rousing anthem 'Soorma', the second track to make an impact is 'Pardesiya'.

The song has been composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and sung in the main by Sahil Akhtar. 'Pardesiya' is an ode to separation between Sandeep Singh (Diljit Dosanjh) and Harpreet Kaur (Taapsee Pannu).

Trouble begins when Sandeep Singh suffers an accidental bullet to his spine, which leaves him paralysed waist down. What to speak of playing hockey for India, the mere act of walking seems an impossibility for the young sports star.

The visuals depict this as a moment of separation between the lovers, one of whom has to choose between playing for the country and staying by her beloved's side.

The song, sung by Sahil Akhtar, is layered with additional vocals by Shankar Mahadevan and Shehnaz Akhtar. The composition is traditional in style and has an alluring quality.

The use of violins to enhance the sense of sorrow and separation is a nice touch, even if cliched. But the vocals of Sahil Akhtar and Shankar Mahadevan in the middle section make the song truly endearing.

The lyrics are written by Gulzar but lack the great poet's special touch. They are pretty simple and convey the meaning without much difficulty. In an age of single-syllable lyrics, this might be considered a plus. 

Soorma, directed by Shaad Ali, is set to be released on 13 July 2018. Watch 'Pardesiya' below and tell us what you think of the film's box-office prospects.