There was a phase in the 90s when the movies from the TIME production house used to be followed with great interest amongst the lovers of 'masala' movies. Most of their movies used to be actioners and raked in 'moolah' at the box office. After a longish lull, TIME presents 'Mashooka' that is produced and directed by Afzal Ahmed. Aditya Bal makes his debut as a hero and looks each bit a 'desi' hunk while Meghna Naidu and popular model Vidya Malavade ( Inteha ) are the sirens opposite him. Combination of Sajid Wajid and Jalees Sherwani take care of the music for the entire album.

There is a surprise in the beginning of the album itself with a complete English version of the title song ' Mashooka ' . A groovy track sung by Wajid, Nisha and Joy, it is of the kinds churned out by Hollywood based albums that you hear on MTV/Channel V every passing day. Extremely foot tapping, it has some bits of Hindi portions in the middle. The number makes for an ideal dance number for a poolside setting. Call it lack of expectations at the beginning but the track does turn you on right away. Hindi version of ' Mashooka ' has even more spice in it and that could be attributed to two factors – added zing in the musical arrangements and Sunidhi Chauhan's presence who is peppy yet again. The song is of the kind that doesn't try hard to do anything overtly different and sticks to the basics. You can enjoy the number for few days or weeks and then move on!

A conventional 90s style love song ' Bechainiyan ' follows next that again doesn't hold any pretexts around being different and still you can easily listen to it. The track by Alka Yagnik and Babul Supriyo is a mushy 'I love you - you love me' kind of number that RGV would love to spoof in his own inimitable way for his movies. Remember Company, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Naach etc. where he has shown shooting of conventional love songs around trees in progress! ' Bechainiyan ' sticks to the requirement as T and works for those looking for a traditional 'hero-heroine dancing around trees song'.

An even better song comes up next as ' Pyar Karna '. An Anu Malik style of music all the way – be it the tune or the arrangements of the way Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan sing – it is yet another mushy love track that works quite well. Rich in melody, it is quite pleasing to hear and brings a feel good feel. The best track of the album so far, it showcases the talent of Sajid-Wajid once again after two contrasting tracks in the shape of the title song and this number. One would love to play it for a soothing feel.

Mr. Selective Abhijeet, who hardly minces any words while talking about his contemporaries, sings ' Aapse Mohabbat Ho Gayi ' that completes the trilogy of the 90s inspired mushy'n'melodious tracks. Yet another track composed in Anu Malik style, it has both Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik singing with perfection as ever. A hummable track, the music has a consistent soft touch throughout while it is actually the chorus that sings the title lyrics ' Aapse Mohabbat Ho Gayi '.

All the songs in ' Mashooka ' entertain and make the entire album an extremely satisfying affair. If one considers the album with a neutral mindset without thinking too much about the movie as a whole, the person won't be disappointed. One would have imagined that composer Sajid Wajid and lyricist Jalees Sherwani may not really give the best of their tunes for this low budget flick with a lesser popular starcast. But to everyone's surprise, they stick to the basics and come up with a score that is pretty decent and hummable.

Rating: **1/2

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