Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
There aren't many expectations from the music of Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?. The prime reason here is the film's genre which doesn't quite allow conventional Bollywood tracks to find a placement in spite of Pritam being at the helm of affairs. In any case Amit Mishra is the prime composer of this album with Pritam contributing only with a couple of songs. One plays on the album while hoping that a song or two do manage to strike a chord.
MUSIC
Its Amit Mishra show all the way as he goes on to play the triple role of a composer, lyricist and singer for the title song 'Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? ' The song starts a little differently though where there is a call for 'atithi' to come home rather than leave. However, soon after the mood changes as the exasperated protagonists are shown to be praying for the visitor to go away. There is an obvious attempt at recreating the Padosan magic of 'Ek Chatur Naar..' and if only there was a riotous picturisation to supplement the song, the song may have gone a little distance ahead. The song is repeated towards the end of the album as well.
A devotional version of 'Beedi Jalaile' (Omkara) is heard as 'Jyoti Jalaile'. Those in North belt of India would be able to relate to this version because dozens of devotional albums that carry variations of chartbuster Bollywood tracks have been in vogue for decades now. This is why when Sukhwinder Singh goes on to sing this new version (written by Irshad Kamil), there are obvious smiles that come along. Amit Mishra goes on to recreate this Vishal Bhardwaj composition and it won't be surprising if 'Jyoti Jalaile' goes on to become a hot favourite amongst devotees in religious outings.
A new version of 'Suhaani Raat Dhal Chuki' (from Dulari - 1949) is heard as 'Na Jaane Tum Kab Jaoge' (appearing also in a 'remix version'). The man entrusted with the job? Pritam. He indeed does a very good job in presenting this decade's old song to go well with the current generation, especially through the way he brings his team of female backup vocalists. Anupam Amod brings back the style of the 40s and 50s in his singing while Irshad Kamil writes lyrics that express the pain of a family which is waiting for the unwanted guest to go away after a rather extended stay.
The team of Pritam and Irshad Kamil comes with another track, 'Aaja Aaja', which is yet another situational track in the film. Though one doesn't quite warm up to the sound of 'Aaja Aaja' to begin with, there is a distinct local flavour to the composition which makes it instantly identifiable with the North Indian belt. A song about inviting friends and relatives at home, 'Aaja Aaja' (which is heard again in a 'remix' version) sees the trio of Raghubir Yadav, Ajay Jhingran and Rajneesh coming together and doing a rather good job while having fun behind the mike.
After a couple of tracks by Pritam, it is time for Amit Mishra to return on the scene. He does that with a two minute 'Dohe' which is written by Sant Kabir Das. This is followed by yet another devotional piece, 'Sukh Karta' (Ganpati Aarti) that has the same team as 'Dohe'. Though one has heard such tracks in numerous film or non-film outings, they promise to fit in well in the narrative of Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?'
OVERALL
Atithi...is a loud album but then that's also the demand of the film which is targeted at masses. Made of a few devotional and situational tracks, the soundtrack is basically situational. Though one can't be expected to play these songs while at home or on a drive, they don't aren't really a bad hear along with the film's narrative.
OUR PICK(S)
'Jyoti Jalaile', 'Aaja Aaja'
