Music: Sajid-Wajid
Lyrics: Kumaar & Kausar Munir-Danish Sabri
Music Label: T-Series
Expectations:
David Dhawan and Sajid-Wajid have a flop-free and musically impeccable record over a decade, with Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Partner (2007) and Chashme Baddoor (2013). We expect another hit score here.
Music:
At the outset, let us mention that none of the songs are path-breakingly innovative or fresh. They are all old wine in tangy and spicy new bottles, and the brews are refreshing, zingy and youthful. Leaving us with a smile on your lips and a sprint in our feet, the vibrant songs have a classic David Dhawan feel. However, the Anand-Milind influences present do seem to be the director's brief! Clearly the Dhawan-Govinda hit record is in everyone's mind while making this music!
While all that is alright, the only grouse about this soundtrack is Javed Ali's presence in 'Galat Baat Hai'. The singer apes Sonu Nigam's voice so much that we wonder why the composers did not take the original, as Sonu would have also lifted the song from flat to frothy! Neeti Mohun's vocals are spirited and the lyrics are naughty, but it is Javed whose portions dominate, and so the song ends up as lackluster.
We are thus left wondering why composers keep employing clones when the originals are around, unlike in the '90s when similar voices were brought in for nostalgia value as music buffs then were still missing Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore! And why cannot Javed also forge his own identity instead of diluting his undoubted competence with this avoidable aspect?
The best and most audience-friendly track is 'Besharmi Ki Height', which if we did not know better, sounds like a Pritam chartbuster in its musical grammar and treatment. The guitar and rhythm patterns have a very spirited construction, commendable because S-W have adapted to contemporary riffs and structures without compromising on their innate sense of deep melody.
Benny Dayal and Shalmali Kholgade soar as artistes only do when genuine composers get to mould them - to the correct Hindi film lexicon! Benny, in particular, has wonderfully evolved from six years ago when he began in films like Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na and Ghajini. Today, he sings from the heart and excels after working with hardcore Hindi composers like Pritam (Race 2, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani et al) and now Sajid-Wajid. Shalmali's spunky vocals also need the right moulding to sparkle, and she gets the opportunity here.
A word about the lyrics: here is the same Kumaar who writes heavy-duty Punjabi (Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Ragini MMS 2 and so many other films). This is the kind of light song he should be really writing - smart, witty and open to interpretation as a naughty number or a romantic rhapsody!
His other song, 'Shanivaar Raati' is also fun, even if it sounds too much in the '90s-Sameer groove in terms of words. Arijit Singh is in form, in a totally different setup from what we have heard him in till now. The song is like one of those old friends you meet after years - there are some cosmetic changes in their likeable familiarity! Here is where Shalmali seems as if she is holding something in instead of going all out to enjoy the energetic flow!
Arijit is also a revelation in 'Palat - Tera Hero Idhar Hai'. This too, is terrain he has never been visualized in before, and the singer shines! A spicy guitar riff begins this charmer as the prelude segment (with an echo effect for Arijit) leads on to the main section of this chhed-chhad song. The guitar riff is repeated later at key points and enhances the track. A subtle Western classical touch in parts of the orchestration and vocal style diverts attention from the similarity in tune to 'Maine Paidal Se Chala Tha' in the same director's Hero No.1.
Finally, the remixes of 'Besharmi Ki Height' and 'Shanivaar Raati' are, as they say, par for the course.
Overall:
The David Dhawan-Sajid-Wajid combo rocks on...! Only next time, Dhawan should let S-W be completely free to indulge in their own style - that way, we will get the far higher musical level of Partner! That said, we must compliment the team for their mainstream masala musical magic!
Our Pick:
'Besharmi Ki Height', 'Palat - Tera Hero Idhar Hai'