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By Joginder Tuteja, July 25, 2005 - 09:08 IST
Bollywood is growing...and how! 5 years back, no one could imagine actors as different as Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan and Arshad Warsi sharing a same frame in a dark thriller. And that too with a title like 'Chocolate'! But not anymore! With corporate world showing keen interest in Bollywood and the trend catching up as fast as the technology in major 'A' grade projects, it is always possible to come up with newer and better products week after week. 'Chocolate' comes from the Spice Team Entertainments' production house [Vibha-Ragini] - the same team that entered Bollywood with feel good flicks 'Kaun Hai Jo Sappno Mein Aaya' and 'Shukriya'. 'Chocolate' is an obvious evolution from these two products and marks the debut of director Vivek Agnihotri. A thriller based on 'Deep Dark Secrets' with an interesting punch line of 'Sometimes it's best not to ask too many questions', the movie stars Anil Kapoor, Suneil Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Sushma Reddy and introduces former Miss India Tanushree Dutta. Stylishly shot with creative promos resulting in immense buzz, another factor that makes 'Chocolate' exciting is its music, which is composed by Pritam, who appears after a one-year gap since 'Dhoom' that is still creating 'dhoom' all over.
Superb use of western musical instruments begins the opening track of the album - 'Halka Halka Sa Yeh Nasha'. Just like 'Dhoom macha De', this track too has a signature tune accompanying the song, this time as a flute. Mayur Puri makes a great debut as a lyricist and comes up with some never heard before lines that are put to music wonderfully well by Pritam. Sonu Nigam modulates his voice yet again to give something new every time a challenge is thrown on him. The song has been choreographed innovatively on the streets of London with all the characters giving an account of themselves one after another. Groovy feel to the entire track make it immensely likeable and ready to hum. One of the best tracks to arrive this year, its a sure shot hit all the way.
A little bit of Tata Young's version of 'Dhoom Machale' and a little bit of 'Kaal Dhamaal' make the remix of 'Halka Halka' that result in the track turning out to be foot tapping all over again. The way trends are as of now, one won't be surprised to see a promotional video made with this song that may appear during the end credits of the movie. It always pays to go with the tide, isn't it?
K.K. croons 'Zehreeli Raatein', a fast paced foot-tapping track that sounds more like a pop number rather than a Bollywood song. There is a hint of Biddu's style of music coupled with Pakistani pop in this Praveen Bhardwaj written song that is one of the first ever for a Bollywood movie. A unique composition with great musical arrangements and lively rendition by K.K., one looks forward to watching this number onscreen, as it appears quite different from routine.
Pritam continues to deliver a funky tune one after another with 'Jhuki Jhuki' coming up next. Dev Kohli's lyrics catch your attention at the very beginning for this yet another foot-tapping track that is sung by Kailash Kher and Sunidhi Chauhan. The song isn't the next chartbuster in the making but as a follow up to some brilliant numbers like 'Halka Halka' and 'Zehreeli Raatein', it manages to sustain the momentum.
The very beginning of 'Mummy' brings your feet in motion. Written by Mayur Puri, it is again one of the most original numbers to have been incorporated in a Bollywood movie. With lyrics like 'Kehte Hai Sabhi Ke Badi Hot Hoon Main', its about "I know I am hot'n'cool and am painting the town red but my mom doesn't know about this and don't tell her either!" But rather than even slightly hinting of vulgarity, it is more of young and naughty and doesn't fail to bring a smile on your face. Sunidhi Chauhan modulates her voice great deal to come up with a squeaky schoolgirl voice. A fast paced song that fuses western and 'bhangra' beats; this situational track should be a riot on screen due to its theme and picturization.
Your body continues to sway along nicely to the beats of 'Panaahon Mein Mohabbat Ki' that is yet another well-written song by Praveen Bhardwaj. Rendered by Kunal Ganjawala, this heavy on beats and high on pace track is completely based on western music with a bit of reggae thrown in. By now, 'Chocolate' sounds like one party album that can be played on full volume and set on a repeat mode while you dance away to glory. This is yet another track that has a potential to create a space for itself in the charts. A total effort by Pritam, Praveen and Kunal!
'Bheega Bheega Sa Yeh December Hai' - now have you ever heard something like this? Probably not! But this is what the team of 'Chocolate' brings to you in this Ajeet Srivastava number that has Sunidhi Chauhan delivering one of her best. A beautifully composed melodious number that maintains a subtle pace throughout, it is a classy number that sets across the point that the musical score of 'Chocolate' is not one of your run of the mill ones. Another sweet composition that won't go unnoticed!
A good dose of Indi-pop molded to fit into Bollywood scheme of things, 'Khalish Si Hai' continues in the same breath as Pritam's earlier western compositions and does wonders once again. Teamwork once again, it is highly impressive due to inspired effort by Mayur Puri, Pritam and singers Kunal Ganjawala and Suzan.
Bollywood is surely catching up with the Hollywood counterparts and going international. This is pretty evident with the 'Chocolate Theme' that is a brilliant assortment of western instruments coming together with great effect. A track that could be easily played on top volume in a discotheque, it brings the album to a grand finale and hence giving a feeling of complete satisfaction to the listeners of 'Chocolate'.
There were good expectations from the music of 'Chocolate' due to Pritam's name on the credits and the opening song 'Halka Halka' already being popular. But to one's pleasant surprise, 'Chocolate' delivers much more than expected with none of the tracks belonging to a variety where they could be skipped. 'Chocolate' turns out to be one of those 'different from the routine' genre of albums that should work especially with the young.
'Chocolate' is a delicious winner all the away, hence maintaining Emraan Hashmi's string of musical hits after 'Footpath', 'Murder', 'Tumsa Nahi Dekha' and 'Zeher'.
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