The teaser of Abar Hawa Bodol had informed viewers that the sequel to the comedy film Hawa Bodol would explore the universal desire for love, friendship and belonging through the lives of its central protagonists. Dropped recently, a melodious track from the film captures moments that stoke this idea and reflect the core emotions and messages contained in it.

Titled Dekhas naa bhoy, the song is composed by Indraadip Dasgupta with lyrics by Barish. A duet rendered by Javed Ali and Somlata Acharyya Chowdhury, it is a soulful, introspective number that explores themes of change, transformation and the fear of losing one’s partner or one’s own deeper self while attempting to grow. A romantic, deeply nostalgic track, the visuals tell a story about two lovers’ continued longing for each other in spite of heartbreak, separation and the way their lives and personalities have changed in the interim. The lyrics speak of a person who has changed but still yearns to return to their roots, their partner and their home. The music video interweaves scenes of joyful togetherness with the anxiety and melancholy of loneliness, contrasting the warm, vibrant colours of the fond memories of the past with the stark blue or gray tones associated with its moments of sadness.

Sweeping over these two overlapping timelines is the timeline of the present, in which the song is sung by Raj (Rudranil Ghosh) and his lover (Anusha Viswanathan), who perform at a garden party in England before a gathering of close family and friends. It is clear that despite a considerable period of separation, the pair continue to have feelings for each other and are secretly hoping for a second chance to make their relationship work. Among those present in the audience are Jeet (Parambrata Chattopadhyay) and his wife (Raima Sen), who also appear to be on their way towards mending their relationship, that seemed to be going through a rough patch.

Struggling with change and vulnerability in relationships are two of the key themes explored by Dekhas naa bhoy. Having suffered heartbreak, each of the lovers is anxious, hesitant yet optimistic about regaining love. Nostalgia is another dominating mood in Dekhas naa bhoy. Memories of bygone days act as an anchor for the feelings of the lovers. They look back with fondness at the past but are at the same time conscious of their own flaws in their relationships at that time.

Besides romantic relationships, the track is also about the friendship between Jeet and Raj, who, despite their prolonged estrangement, share a deep emotional bond that is strong enough to overcome their differences and misunderstandings. The scene at the end of the song, where Raj and Jeet embrace against the backdrop of torrential rain, is a touching moment that celebrates their friendship. After its final strains, the thoughts that remain with the listener are of making peace with the past, to seize the opportunities of the present and to look forward to life and love, for that is what matters in the end. With its story and screenplay by Pavel and directed by Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Abar Hawa Bodol hits theatres on June 12.