Shiddat song ‘Akhiyan Udeek Diyan’: Anguished song of love and longing

T-Series has released the video of the song 'Akhiyan Udeek Diyan' from the upcoming movie Shiddat (2021). Sung by Master Saleem with music and lyrics by Manan Bhardwaj, the song is a reworking of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s immortal qawwali.

Shiddat is directed by Kunal Deshmukh and stars Sunny Kaushal, Radhika Madan, Mohit Raina and Diana Penty. The video was released on YouTube with the line, 'Feel the power of love with shiddat wala pyaar.'

A song of longing in love, 'Akhiyan Udeek Diyan' features the principal cast members caught in a range of emotions from desire to heartbreak and even jealousy. The original song is one of pining for one’s lover. This is a more jazzed-up version with modern beats and faster tempo. The additional stanzas concentrate on one’s lover going away, leaving the beloved pining.

The two couples, played by Kaushal-Madan and Raina-Penty, seem to be going through ups and downs in their relationships and the track covers the state of mind of the lovers, one of yearning and sorrow.

Master Saleem’s vocals are impressive, especially with the high notes, and the reworking of the qawwali is interesting and catchy.

The film's title track, sung by Bhardwaj himself, was released online a few days ago. Shiddat is set to be premiered on Disney+ Hotstar on 1 October.