He sees it as a big win for "non-film music to be counted in a stronger and more revered category of commercial music in India. A song that's transcended age, genre and time over the past few years to become a love ballad of the ages." Speaking about this achievement, Universal Music India and South Asia Managing Director and CEO Devraj Sanyal said: "What an incredible way for us to start 2021 by joining the Billion View Club on YouTube with Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Zaroori tha'. It's a big achievement for all of us involved," he added. Composed by Sahir Ali Bagga, with the video directed by Rahul Sud, the on screen chemistry of Gauahar Khan and Kushal Tandon was loved by everyone.
"The credit equally goes to the lyricist Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar for inking such beautiful and meaningful words of 'Zaroori Tha'. Along with Salman Ahmed, my dear friend Devraj Sanyal, MD and CEO of Universal Music India believed in non-film music and our combination was admired by the world," said Rahat.
'Zaroori tha' is a song that was part of the 'Back 2 Love' album released in 2014 by Universal Music India and majestically produced, marketed and showcased more like a movie than just an album by Salman Ahmed. "It's an overwhelming feeling reaching a milestone of one billion views on YouTube. Produced By Salman Ahmed, Zaroori tha was released six years ago, with the music video directed by Rahul Sud.