Ae Watan

Ae Watan (transl. My country) is a patriotic song from the soundtrack of the 2018 Indian feature film Raazi. The song is sung by Arijit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan. Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy composed the music, and Gulzar and Allama Iqbal wrote the lyrics. The music video for the song stars Sehmat Khan (played by Alia Bhatt).

"Ae Watan"
Single by Arijit Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan
from the album Raazi
Released2018
GenrePatriotic
Length3:43 (male version)
3:31 (female version)
LabelZee Music Company
Composer(s)Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Lyricist(s)Gulzar
Raazi track listing
  1. "'Ae Watan"
  2. "Dilbaro"
  3. "Raazi"
Music video
"Ae Watan" on YouTube

The song was praised for "delivering patriotism" by multiple critics. Gulzar has expressed his belief that Ae Watan should become "the song of our nation". The song won the IIFA Award for Playback Singer (Male and Female) at the 2019 International Indian Film Academy Awards.

Development

Raazi features four songs. Both "Ae Watan" and "Dilbaro" serve as the title tracks for the film.[1] Ehsaan Noorani of the musical trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy described the song as being "crucial to the story".[1] Shankar Mahadevan of the same trio, talking about the song, told The Times of India,[1]

'Ae Watan' started with lyrics. He [Gulzar] had written it, and we just picked it up and started singing it. The song dictated the melody, it was an organic process. All songs of 'Raazi' have been made like that.

Lyricist Gulzar has said he wants the song to become "the song of our nation".[1] In an interview with The Times of India, Gulzar explains: "It speaks for all of us and it speaks without any prejudice. People keep asking what nationalism is all about. Well, one can define nationalism through this song".[1] Gulzar later stated that the song is a tribute to the poet Muhammad Iqbal.[2]

Music video

The music video features British-Indian actress Alia Bhatt as Sehmat Khan, explaining why she choose to become a spy for India.[3]

Reception

Critical response

Writing for The Hindu, Vipin Nair praised the song, calling it the first "patriotic song to have come out of Bollywood in a long time".[4] Firstpost, an Indian news and media website, wrote: "'Ae Watan' celebrates the true spirit of patriotism – where one places one's motherland before anything, even oneself".[5] Sankhayan Ghosh of the Film Companion expressed that the song "stands out for its simplicity, and context".[6] He further added "Ae Watan appeals to the hardened cynics from both sides of the ideological centre; it reminds us that patriotism isn't necessarily a bad thing, all the while showing the price we pay for it".[6] Priyanka Vartak of The Free Press Journal wrote that: "[Arijit Singh] his soulful voice will surely give you goosebumps".[7]

Ehsaan Noorani commented that people upload "at least two-three cover versions" of the song via social media platforms.[1] He further added that the song has "achieved a different level of popularity" and he has never "seen reactions" like this before.[1]

Chart performance
Chart (2018) Peak

position

 Ref.
The Times of India Mirchi Top 20 Chart 10 [8]

Accolades
Year Award Recipient Result Ref.
2019 IIFA Award for Best Lyricist Gulzar Nominated [9]
IIFA Award for Best Female Playback Singer Harshdeep Kaur; Vibha Saraf Won
IIFA Award for Best Male Playback Singer Arijit Singh Won
Mirchi Music Award for Male Vocalist of The Year Nominated [10]
Mirchi Music Awards for Critics' Choice Lyricist of The Year Gulzar Nominated [10]
Mirchi Music Awards for Critics' Choice Song of The Year Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy Nominated

References
  1. "Gulzar: I'd like 'Raazi's' 'Ae Watan' to become the song of our nation – Times of India ►". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  2. Lookhar, Mayur. "Raazi's 'Ae Watan' song is Gulzar's tribute to Urdu poet Mohammad Iqbal". Cinestaan. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  3. "Raazi Song Ae Watan Reveals Why Alia Bhatt's Sehmat Became A Spy". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  4. Nair, Vipin (26 April 2018). "Haunting melodies, stirring emotions". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  5. "Raazi song 'Ae Watan' is high on emotion and celebrates true spirit of patriotism in Arijit Singh's voice- Entertainment News, Firstpost". Firstpost. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  6. "'Ae Watan' From Raazi Reminds Us That Patriotism Isn't Necessarily A Bad Thing". Film Companion. 12 May 2018. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  7. "'Raazi' song Ae Watan: This Arijit Singh's patriotic song is a perfect match for Alia Bhatt's character". Latest Indian news, Top Breaking headlines, Today Headlines, Top Stories at Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  8. "Music Chart – The Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
  9. Wizcraft. "IIFA – International Indian Film Academy". IIFA – International Indian Film Academy. Archived from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  10. "MMA Mirchi Music Awards". MMAMirchiMusicAwards. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
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