Dabangg 2 Review {4.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
Really, one doesn't have to think much before setting any expectations from the music of Dabangg 2. You know the genre it would belong to, the audience it would target, the winning formula it would try to replicate and the element of fun that would be at the core of it all. Just like one associates certain kind of music coming from the house of Bhatts, even Salman Khan and Sajid-Wajid combination carries its unique identity as well. As long as one gets that, rest assured the strong fan-base of Salman, which is especially strong in the interiors, is expected to be content. With Dabangg 2 aiming at that very segment, you are pretty much sure about the brief that Arbaaz Khan must have given to Sajid-Wajid and lyricists Sameer, Jalees Sherwani, Ashraf Ali and Irfan Kamal.
MUSIC
One can see that there is an obvious attempt by the makers to replicate musical situations from Dabangg as-is in the film's sequel as well. They don't even attempt to conceal this endeavour and this is the reason why 'Dagabaaz Re' is set in the same mode, situation and setting as 'Tere Mast Mast Do Nain'. Soft, smooth and soulful is how 'Dagabaaz Re' turns out to be, what with Sameer's lyrics pretty much capturing the small town feel with elements around 'Chulbul' thrown in as well. With a 60s feel to it, the song has Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal coming together for this less-on-instruments and more-on-melody song which is just the right recipe for those who were looking at Dabangg 2 carrying the Dabangg 2 legacy forward. Meanwhile Shadaab Faridi's voice can be heard intermittently in the song.
In Dabangg, the song which was set in the 'police thaana' was 'Humka Peeni Hai'. In the sequel, the setting remains just the same though it is the turn of Malaika Arora Khan to join Salman in his escapades as he gets 'ready' for his 'seeti' act. With a ferocious start to it, 'Pandeyjee Seeti' is a quintessential UP-Bihar song written by Jalees Sherwani which has Wajid letting his hair down as the voice of Salman Khan. Reminding one of 'Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re Pinjare Wali Muniya (Teesri Kasam, 1966)', the song has a folk base to it with Mamta Sharma and Shreya Ghoshal adding further spice to the proceedings. This isn't all as one also gets a hint of Govinda's 'UP Waala Thumka Lagaoon' from Hero No. 1. Though the song (also appearing in a 'remix') is quite fast paced and hardly has a breather to offer in those four minutes of play, one waits to see how it is picturised before being sure of its long life.
The kind of start that 'Fevocol Se' takes, one is rest assured that if Kareena Kapoor Khan goes the whole hog in the song then it has in it to be one naughty-n-seductive song that would go a long way. With Sajid-Wajid and Ashraf Ali's lyrics perfectly in synch as 'Munni Badnaam Hui', the song has Mamta Sharma singing just the way only she can, especially in the way she kick-starts rather seductively. Wajid is an ideal companion as well in this song which has everything from references like 'Aaja Mere Raaja' and 'Saare India Ko Tune Ghulam Kiya Re' to 'Tandoori Murgi' filling in those five minutes. A winner all the way, it has Keerthi Sagathia, Uvie and Shadaab Faridi being heard in the background with the 'remix version' further ensuring that this one would stay on for some good time to come.
There is 'thehrav' that comes in the form of 'Saanson Ne' which is undoubtedly the best of the enterprise. Easy on ears while taking forward the 'Chori Kiya Re Jiya' mood, it is yet another wonderful rendition by Sonu Nigam who is increasingly getting the best song on every album if trend over the year gone by is any indication. In fact this Irfan Kamal written song is the kind that can be comfortably placed in a repeat mode and enjoyed immensely. With Tulsi Kumar doing a very good job as well along with Sonu, this love song is a complete package that demonstrates once again the kind of hold that Sajid-Wajid have over Indian music.
The title track of Singham and Khiladi 786 have been based on 'Hud Hud Dabangg' and life pretty much comes back full circle for the entire team of Dabangg with the song appearing in its new avtar. Jalees Sherwani is the lyricist for Dabangg Reloaded which is all the more ferocious with a Western element added to the musical arrangements as well. Surprisingly though, Sukhwinder Singh keeps his energy in check for this and isn't as vociferous that one normally expects from him. Still, this title song (along with the 'remix') is the kind that should set the tone of Dabangg 2 and visually it should be as dramatic and forceful as one expects from the film.
OVERALL
Dabangg 2 delivers as a promised. One expected an out and out massy score that would appeal to the interiors ('Fevicol Se', 'Pandeyjee Seeti'), would have something for a pan-India audience ('Saanson Ne', 'Dagabaaz Re') and deliver a punch to establish the character ('Dabangg Reloaded'). In that perspective, Sajid-Wajid do not disappoint and though some out there may term this as playing safe, it is to the credit of the composers that they haven't tried to alienate their music from what the film indeed stands for. The 'connect' factor along with the fact that Dabangg is still oven fresh in audience mind would only add on to the fortunes of Dabangg 2 soundtrack that should see quick-fire sales/ring-tone downloads on its very arrival. As for the power to stay fresh amongst audience mind on a long term basis (just like it is the case with Dabangg), a lot would unfold once the visuals are unveiled and the movie hops on to (an expected) good run at the box office.
OUR PICK(S)
Saanson Ne, Dagabaaz Re, Fevicol Se
