By Joginder Tuteja, August 18, 2004 - 17:25 IST
Re-packaging a 'stuck in the cans / long in the making' movie and presenting it in a brand new avatar is not something that is alien to the film industry. Sometimes the strategy works and sometimes it doesn't. The producers of ' Ek Se Badkar Ek ', that has gone through a title change (from 'Kasam Se') since it was launched ages back and was completed a couple of years back, must be hoping that this movie too meets with the similar fate. Directed by Kundan Shah, who is the man behind laugh riot ' Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron ', a social drama ' Kya Kehna ' and a silly comic caper ' Hum To Mohabbat Karega ' to his credit, directs ESBE that stars Suneil Shetty, Raveena Tandon, Isha Koppikar (who was signed for the film years before ' khallas ' happened), Shekhar Suman and Gulshan Grover in principal roles. Written by Dilip Shukla, whose directorial debut in another long delayed venture - ' Police Force ' - didn't' create any ripples, this rib tickling comedy about an average man who inherits billions, has the combination of Anand Raj Anand and Dev Kohli handling the music department. A Pammi Sandhu production, ESBE hints of another comedy from the 80s - Maalamal - starring Nasseruddin Shah & Satish Shah, with both the movies having a faint resemblance thematically!
' Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein ', which is the opening number of the album, is an average 'Beat One, Beat Two' kind of a foot tapping number that is neither exceptional nor something that should have been placed at the top of the album. Written by Majrooh Sultanpuri saab, it has vocals by Kumar Sanu and Sunidhi Chauhan who sort of sleepwalk through the song. None of them, especially Sunidhi, make much of an impression and the song passes by in a whimper. Very average!! Perhaps composer ARA loved the song so much that he, along with Anuradha Sriram, sang the number himself and came up with a repeat version of the same track!!
Abhijit and Sadhna Sargam sing a much more thematically relevant number ' Don Don ' that is about a man who wants to be a 'Don' in order to be eligible for the inherited money and a woman who wants to be most powerful cop in the town so as to catch the biggest 'Don'. A situational number, it is a westernized number that is inspired from Anand Raj Anand's earlier tracks from ' Kaante '. Both the singers let their hair down and sing with aplomb. A number that should look funny and enjoyable on the screen due to its nature, it holds well for the situation.
' Phir Se ', a popular soft track by Abby that was a rage a few moons back, makes an appearance in this album and comes across as a pleasant surprise. Though one would be even more surprised if this number finds it's way in the movie too because it seems to be more of a marketing ploy by the album company Times Music, rather than any need in the movie's narrative. Nevertheless, this track written, composed and sung by Abby is a good addition to the album.
After a soft romantic number, mush and love continues with ' Tujhe Dekha Jab Se ' by Sonu Nigam, Abhijit and Shweta Pandit, that in spite of being typically Bollywood, doesn't really disappoint and makes for a fine hearing. Shweta Pandit at places does sound like Poornima but it is Abhijit, who despite the presence of Sonu Nigam, steals the show and towers above them. A good rhythmic track, it can be definitely heard!
When ARA is at the helm, then it is sure shot that there would a Punjabi number! Well this turns out to be true with ' Meri Aankh Nashili ' that is as fresh and original a Punjabi track as a 'sizzler' that was cooked three hrs back!! One of those trademark 'punjabi'n'hindi' ched-chaad tracks sung by Jaspinder Narula and a male voice that sounds like ARA himself, it is picturized on a female who is completely drunk !! The number has nothing new in it that would incite a music lover to start humming the number along!
Just like Abby's ' Phir Se ', there is another 'guest appearance' track in the shape of ' Pardei Dhola ' by pop star Jassi that is written by Gurbhajan Gill and has music by Jaidev Kumar. Ironically, just like ' Phir Se ', this Punjabi number too is one of the better numbers in the entire album and justifies the album company's confidence in the track placement!
Concluding track ' Dheere Se Jaana ' composed by ARA and sung by Babul Supriyo and Alka Yagnik, surprisingly is musically based on ' Kissa Hum Likhenge ' from A.R. Rehman's ' Doli Saja Ke Rakhna '. A number that has a southern feel throughout, it is just about average and doesn't create much ripple. Lyrics too are 'run-of-the-mill' and the number turns out be a disappointing end to the album that was trying hard to stay afloat till now.
ESBE is one of those 'came today gone tomorrow' kind of a fast food album that is enjoyable to some extent, but just at places. Overall the album doesn't have much ammunition to make people go crazy after its soundtrack. Just about average, the chances for this album to survive in the days when other biggies too struggle to make their presence felt are bleak!!
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