The song is written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, composed by JAM8 and sung by Arijit Singh and Harshdeep Kaur.

[10] Bollywood Hungama's Joginder Tuteja in the review of the song Zaalima wrote, "Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics carry a mature flavour to them and the moment Arijit Singh starts rendering these words, 'Zaalima' goes to a different level altogether.

Moreover, Harshdeep Kaur's voice is an added asset to this wonderful song that has in it to find running on a repeat mode after it has been heard once".

[11] Times of India in its review of the song wrote "JAM8's 'Zaalima', showcases Shah Rukh Khan at his romantic best.

The melody is striking, and Arijit Singh and Harshdeep Kaur stand out in the number, which gives the word zaalima (oppressor) a poetic twist".