Amitabh Bachchan returns to production with ' Viruddh...family comes first '. Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar for whom it could be the most important project in recent years after disastrous outcome of ' Rakth ' and ' Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav '. ' Viruddh ' is a sensitive yet hard hitting story of senior citizens played by the Big B and Sharmila Tagore who loose their only son John Abraham. Popular music channel VJ Anusha Dandekar (who was last seen in immensely enjoyable ' Loot Gaye ' from ' Mumbai Matinee ') plays John's wife while Sanjay Dutt is in a special appearance. Manjrekar's regulars Shivaji Satam and Sachin Khedekar form the rest of the cast while another Amitabh i.e. Amitabh Dayal is seen in his second movie after ' Kagaar '. A joint production of AB Corp limited and Satyajeet movies (P) Ltd., 'Viruddh' has only one original song composed for the movie by Anand Raj Anand while rest of the tracks have been compiled from other non-film albums. One looks forward to some thought-provoking 'non-filmy' songs from this album, the songs which are touted as 'songs of redemption...songs of hope'!

Opening track ' Bhooli Bisri Yaadon Mein ' is the sole track composed especially for the movie. With music by ARA, surprisingly there are no credits given to the lyricists for not just this track but for all the songs in the entire album. Newcomer Ajit Parab sings this sad song quite well and the tune touches your soul. This is not a track that you may want to sing along but when in pain, it could be an ideal companion. One really feels sorry for the person who wrote the lyrics (since he doesn't get credited), as it is one of the better worded sad songs heard this year. ARA too catches hold of the situation quite well and comes up with a good tune.

For the lovers of poetry, there is ' Faqeerana Aaye ' from the album ' Bazm-E-Meer ' that is sung and composed brilliantly by Roop Kumar Rathod. The man is truly in top form in this slow and peaceful track that deserves to be heard over and over again. A marvelous piece of art, this song's effect is best felt when heard with eyes closed in a silent'ndark surrounding. Similar feeling comes up a few tracks later in his wife Sonali Rathod's ' Gham Raha ' from the same album. Sounding very much like Lataji at places, it is yet another good composition by Roop Kumar Rathod.

When Abida Parveen's name appears on the credit for the next track ' Mann Lago Yaar ' from the album 'Gulzar presents Kabir', one knows that this is going to be full-fledged classy album for the lovers of quality Indian music. The music (arranged by Bhavdeep Jaipurwale) is soothing again with no words good enough to appreciate Abida's rendition of this devotional track sung in her inimitable style. For the lovers of her voice, there are two more tracks ' Bhala Hui Meri Matki ' and ' Saahib Mera Ek Hai ' from the same album 'Gulzar presents Kabir'. As expected, both the tracks have a royal and graceful touch to them and would be lapped up by those who can't start their day without listening to her tracks!

Jagjit Singh would have been an obvious choice for at least one of the tracks in this truly different album. The people behind the compilation do not disappoint by including ' Hey Jag Trata ', yet another devotional number, from the album ' Ishwar Allah Tere Naam ' that has music composed by Ashit Desai.

Music directors Ajay-Atul come together for ' Shree Ganeshay Dheemahi ' (album Vishwavinayaka) that is sung by Shankar Mahadevan. The track that seems to be in Sanskrit language has a commanding rendition by Shankar Mahadevan who demonstrates his versatility...yet again. For a devotional track, it has a grand appeal and is unlike the tracks earlier that were more smooth and sober in nature. Album comes to end with a 7 minutes violin piece ' Melancholy ' by 'Violin Brothers' from the namesake album. The instrument takes various twists and turns depicting the various shades and the moods in the movie.

This one-hour plus album of ' Viruddh ' is a complete contrast of what you have been hearing in Big B's films for last 3-4 decades. Also, don't even imagine John Abraham coming up with a sudden ' Tauba Tauba ' either. With an extremely classy compilation, the message regarding 'Viruddh – the movie' is clear as well – this could well have another powerful and sensitive performance by Big B in the league of ' Main Azaad Hoon ' and ' Black '.

While majority of albums are composed for 15-30 years age group, this is one of those rare albums that has been created for a 40+ age group. This is an album that you would proudly want to gift to your parents...and grand parents!

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