Tadap song ‘Hoye Ishq Na’: Pritam’s love ballad on betrayal cuts deep

Tadap (2021), which stars newcomer Ahan Shetty and Tara Sutaria, is a remake of the Telugu film RX 100 (2018). Like the original, this film, too, features an intense love story which is evident from the latest track from its album.

Composed by Pritam and written by Irshad Kamil, ‘Hoye Ishq Na’ is an emotional ballad that taps into Ishana’s (Shetty's) grief and anger at the loss of his love Ramisa, played by Sutaria. Singer B Praak is surprisingly restrained as he croons about the hopelessness of love. Halfway through the number, the song switches to rap, which is written and performed by Dino James.

While the transition is smooth, the effect of moving from ballad to rap is a bit jarring. Pritam choses a steadying, thumping rhythm for the first half, which sets up Ishana’s grim mood in the song. He keeps it up even in the rap portion, which becomes an odd little interlude in the number.

The visuals, however, feel like a real echo from producer T-Series’s 2019 hit Kabir Singh, featuring Shahid Kapoor and Kiara Advani. The hero Ahan Shetty broods and mopes, like Kapoor, while riding around on his bike and dreaming of happier times with Ramisa.

The film marks Shetty’s acting debut; he follows his father Suniel and sister Athiya into the business. Directed by Milan Luthria, Tadap will be released in theatres on 3 December.

Watch the song below and let us know if you are keen to see the film.