The music of Cash worth the money 
By Joginder Tuteja, July 10, 2007 - 14:44 IST
There was a time [around a decade or more back] when good music was primarily associated with love stories or family dramas. Neither the film makers made an extra effort nor 'aam junta'
had major expectations from listening to something that could qualify as a chartbuster from the musical score of a hardcore action movie.
But not anymore!
Films like 'Mohra', 'Kaante', 'Musafir', 'Dhoom' franchise and last but not the least, 'Dus', changed the trend as at least of couple of major foot tapping tracks [read item numbers], became a
basic requirement for an action film to be promoted aggressively. Not just these tracks were used for eye candy purpose, they were also used for promoting the action sequences of the film
while playing in the background of the razor sharp promos. 'Mast Mast' [Mohra], 'Rama Re' [Kaante], 'Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Naa' [Musafir], 'Dhoom Machale' [Dhoom], 'Dhoom Again' [Dhoom 2],
'Dus Bahane' and 'Deedar De' [Dus] are some of the examples that immediately come to one's mind.
This is why the score of 'Cash' is expected to be special with expectation being pretty high, if not sky high. Reasons are aplenty.
First and foremost the film belongs to action genre which gives it's composer duo of Vishal and Shekhar ample opportunity to go wild in a way only they can.
Secondly, the film has eye candy in the form of Shamita Shetty, Dia Mirza and Esha Deol which means ready ammunition waiting to explode if there are right ingredients in place to make them
dance to the beats.
Thirdly, the film brings together Anubhav Sinha and Vishal-Shekhar after 'Dus' (they did have a 'qawalli' in 'Tathastu' though). Nothing works like a tried and tested combination!
Fourthly, on checking the credit details one realizes that Vishal Dadlani is present throughout the album in the capacity of a singer. Well, he has sung a song or two in his earlier albums too
but an entire soundtrack is a first! In fact except for a solo track by Panchhi Jalonvi, Vishal also writes the remaining tracks.
So without waiting any further, one jumps into 'Cash' with the volume being raised to the maximum possible.
It was not a bad choice after all to have pumped up the volume since the opening track 'Cash' has just about everything that one expects from Vishal Shekhar when they are in the mood to
go unconventional and create a new sound. An out and out western track with elements of rap-n-reggae thrown in good measure for creating a rocking feel, 'Cash' is sung by both Vishal and
Shekhar. What impresses further is Sunidhi Chauhan who modulates her voice once again and makes a smashing entry by taking the song to a different level altogether.
An item song that is expected to play in the opening title rolls, 'Cash' follows the theme of the movie as it talks about how 'cash' makes the life go around. Another version of the song comes
later with the sound of a hovering helicopter in the background creating an action feel.
R.D. Burman would have been proud today on hearing 'Naa Puchho' as it is a homage to the maestro's style of composing a melody. Vishal-Shekhar keep the feel of the late 70s/early 80s
intact but while doing so they add on their own bit of the technology available in 21st century and create a smashing impact out of 'Naa Puchho'. Hear the manner in which fast forward
technique is used (or has Vishal actually sung it that fast?) to make the opening words of 'Naa Puccho' flow rapidly and you would know what we mean!
While Vishal continues to have fun with innovation being the key mantra, Sunidhi Chauhan follows the path of melody set for her. Be rest assured that when the song will appear on the
screen, it is bound to be a rage.
The same cannot be said though for 'Zara Bachke' which is coming together of hip-hop, rap, reggae and bhangra-pop! In short, a mix of just about everything that makes for an item number.
While lyrically there isn't much that registers an impact (at least in the first couple of hearings), even the rendition (mainly in Punjabi) is just about ok with the much required punch missing
in the proceedings. One doubts if the song would have a full fledged appearance in the film since the song doesn't have much scope outside the music video circuits.
There is an extended musical piece that comes at the beginning of 'Reham Kare' before Sunidhi Chauhan comes into the scene. The dark-n-sensuous-haunting mood comes close to the
style that was adopted in 'Aaj Ki Raat' [Don] but the similarity just ends here. Overall 'Reham Kare' written by Panchhi Jalonvi has the 80s style disco arrangements filling in the space
between the 'antaras' even as music continues to change its flavor with regularity throughout it's 5 minutes duration. Meanwhile Vishal does his trademark take as a back ground voice by
mainly singing along in English.
Unlike the title song and 'Naa Puchho', 'Reham Kare' is not an instant winner in the very first listening and also doesn't have long enough legs to reach to the top. Nevertheless, glitzy
choreography would ensure that the tune does get it's due with the combination of style and rhythm ensuring decent eyeballs.
On the other hand 'Naughty Naughty' is a song that makes you wonder why is it not on the tube yet? Yet another track that takes it's inputs from the R.D. Burman school of music, 'Naughty
Naughty' is indeed naughty, especially due to the way Anushka Manchanda goes about singing it. After 'Golmaal Golmaal', Vishal-Shekhar and Anushka come together yet again and the
magic is visible.
With mix of Hindi and English lyrics creating an ideal mood for some naach-gaana-thumka, 'Naughty Naughty' is perhaps one of the rare dance numbers that are western in arrangements
and yet so rooted and earthy in appeal. The backup male voice along with chorus only add on to make 'Naughty Naughty' a number that would be played long after the movie is off the
theaters. A winner!
Taking over from where 'Deedar De' [Dus] left, 'Mindblowing Maahiya' can easily qualify as yet another dance hit for Shamita Shetty after 'Baras Jaa' [Fareb]. Sunidhi Chauhan is good as
always and gets just the right punch in place whenever the key words 'Mindblowing Mahiya' are heard. The song may not boast of fast pace or elaborate musical arrangements but it is an
overall packaging, rythm and the tune's base in Indian melody that makes 'Mindblowing Mahiya' a song that is bound to set your feet tapping. The item song is out on the telly and if the
initial response is anything to go by, the number is expected to scale the charts in just a few days to come.
The idea behind creating 'Cash' is simple i.e. to create 5-6 tunes that keep the adrenalin flow intact as one takes a break from action sequences. The score was required to match the high tech
action and some unbelievable stunts and from that perspective the synopsis was good enough for Vishal and Shekhar to create tunes that would ensure that coupled with good visuals, the
soundtrack keeps you hooked on to the screens.
You have seen the title song and 'Mindblowing Maahiya' to be aware about 'Cash'. Now watch out for 'Naughty Naughty' and 'Naa Puchho' and you would surely have your hands full.
Rating: ***1/2
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New narration mode delays the release of Cash
