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Music Reviews |
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By Joginder Tuteja, March 29, 2007 - 12:45 IST
Last year there was a definite buzz about the cricket fever peaking up due to impending World Cup 2007. This was the time when at least four films revolving around
cricket were announced - 'Hat Trick', 'Meerabai Not Out', 'Shoonya' and 'Say Salaam India'. While there is not much known about 'Meerabai Not Out'
and 'Shoonya', especially post the debacle of Indian cricket in Caribbean, 'Hat Trick' couldn't do much either though it released prior to the dreams of millions being
shattered.
On the other hand timing of Say Salaam India doesn't quite make for a happy situation if you are a loyal cricket follower. What could be a point of interest
though is that if you are a Bangladeshi cricket fan, the film would be a top contender this Friday since the film is about underdogs and how they make the mighty fall!
Directed by debutant Subhash Kapoor, the film stars Sanjay Suri in the lead with Milind Soman being the antagonist. Gaurav Dayal is the composer with number of
lyricists contributing in this 9 track album. In the end, you get more than what you would have expected from the album before playing it on.
Gauhar Raza opens the album with an inspirational number 'Tana Re Bana Re' that has been set as a rhythmic track. While listening to this Sonu Nigam
number, you can make out in the very first minute that it would be the one that would play on at number of moments in the film's background whenever the cricket team
(as shown in the film) is shown to be practicing and slogging out on the field.
With predominantly western arrangements, 'Tana Re' is a well written situational track that should keep the momentum of the film going. That's the run why it
comes in first the remix version and later a female version with Shubha Mudgal crooning the track. After hearing it repeatedly, one can
sense the kind of energy Sonu brings around while rendering the track as he brings in a certain punch through his vocal chords.
On the other hand, Shubha Mudgal brings in a different angle to the song as she croons an almost unplugged version of the song while bringing the pace remarkably
down. Also, the song is Indianised to a certain level by means of arrangements as the Western effects make way for Indian instruments to be more prominent.
Nevertheless, if one has to pick between the different versions, the vote would still go to the one by Sonu since it goes better with the young feel of the film.
Now why wasn't this track promoted to the maximum? After 'Masti Ki Paathshaala'[Rang De Basanti], singer Naresh Iyer gets into an almost similar mode as
composer Gaurav Dayal even creates the arrangements of the next song 'Haiyya Haiyya' in Rahman's classic style. A song with a metallica touch to it, it
is yet another inspirational number about doing well in the field, though light hearted camaraderie between the players takes over the intense messaging that was coming
from 'Tana Re'.
An out and out cricket song by Gauhar Raza, as coming out in his lyrics, 'Haiyya Haiyya' has a good consistent rhythm running in the background that makes it a
catchy number to hear. Yet another situational track that may just have gone an extra distance!
Ok, so now this is unpardonable! Agreed that the film revolves around cricket but then if a song like 'Chaal Murkhiyon Wali' is incorporated in album, it
deserves to be promoted. Period! Coming in the wake of 'Pyaar Karke Pachtaya' [Pyaar Ke Side Effects] and 'Rabba Khair Kare' [Hat Trick] , 'Chaal
Murkhiyon Wali' is yet another track by Labh Janjua that could have been a comfortable success if a music video was created around it.
With a UK underground feel to it mixed with the electronically arranged 'bhangra-pop' feel to it, 'Chaal' is a Punjabi number written by S. Mukhtiyar that
has a potential to be a good celebration dance number at least in North India. Further interesting is the remix version of the song which is even snazzier and makes its
way right into a DJ's hand. This track should be up right away for the film's promotion in whatever format it can!
There is an 'enigma'-tic feel to the 'Theme Music' that is barely 100 seconds in duration but promises to go well with the film. Starting off slowly and
staying on at the same pace with the tempo building up mainly in the addition of instruments as the track reaches it's conclusion, it would be interesting to see if it makes
for an integral part in the film's climax.
There are two bonus tracks in the album in the form of 'Kainthewala' and 'Kamli'. When 'Kainthewali' begins, it sounds like a Punjabi folk
number in the offering. But soon comes the English rap that takes it to an altogether different level together. Bill Singh gets on the scene to get your feet tapping as this
Punjabi number with a hip-hop shade to it turns out to be reasonably decent hear, though it starts dragging towards the middle. Written by Lalli, it doesn't do much harm to
the album though.
Finally comes 'Kamli' that is again a pleasant hear though it is surprising to see the way the number is mixed since the words aren't quite clear with
arrangements taking over. Written by Kuldeep Singh, the song again has an appeal in the North India though it is yet another number that comes with a foot tapping
effect. With a mix of Western and Punjabi effects, 'Kamli' may not go anywhere beyond the album but is a fine hear as long as one hears it as a part of the overall
package of 'Say Salaam India'.
While the theme numbers 'Tana Re' and 'Haiyya Haiyya' are decent hears of course, the real surprise is 'Chaal Murkhiyon Wali' by Labh Janjua
that could have been a sure shot success if promoted at just the right time. Considering the fact that there was not much buzz around the film's music and there were
minimal expectations while putting on 'Say Salaam India', it turns out to be a satisfactory outing.
 
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