1920 Music review of 1920 by Joginder Tuteja

Off late, majority of Vikram Bhatt films have been those, which have released after a delay. Speed, Fear, Life Mein Kabhi Kabhi - all of these were films which Vikram had directed long before he took a break and started sorting out the kind of subjects he wanted to make going forward. 1920 is one such film.

 

Since the film is set in a cold colonial kind of an environment, the music is expected to be haunting as well by going with the mood of 1920. There are twin expectations that one has from composer Adnan Sami and lyrics Sameer here. a) Would they be able to get a period flavor here? And b) Would they be able to at least touch upon the kind of soundtrack that Bhatt's Raaz boasted of?

 

It is not everyday that Pandit Jasraj is heard singing for a Hindi film. In fact, one can't really remember when was the last time he actually came behind the mike for a Bollywood outing. This is why it makes heads turn instantly the moment, his name is flashed against the number 'Vaada Tumse Hain Vaada'.

 

However, though one expects a classical outing to follow, it isn't quite the case as Adnan Sami gets his trademark arrangements in place to create a melodious outing while getting a fusion of Western and Indian instruments in place. The chorus of girls singing the key word 'Vaada' gets the punch in place for this number which talks about promise of love being carried forward from one 'janam' to another!

 

A number which is bound to make the narrative stronger when played on screen, 'Vaada' is heard again in the voice of another rare name in the world of Bollywood playback singing - Parveen Sultana! Yet again, it is the quality of singing which impresses as much as the fusion music by Adnan Sami. Of course, the setting of the song is such that it won't make people humming it around on streets, but still in the film this one should make an impact.

 

Much hyped item song, which has been picturized on Rakhi Sawant, 'Bichua', is heard next. It is surprising to see none other than Shubha Mudgal rendering this track, which is set in a rustic mode. Though the quintessential sound of 'Dhola Dhola' continues to play throughout in the song's background, somehow 'Bichua' doesn't quite make one immediately fall for the song. The number later appears in a 'remix version' and is far more engaging than the original due to it's fast pace and Western arrangements which make it spicier. Ultimately, it will all boil down to how Madam Sawant makes it's special since by itself the number just passes muster. In fact, one wonders why Sami opted for an unconventional voice of Shubha Mudgal when someone like Sunidhi Chauhan could have just gone ahead and delivered the goods hands down!

 

It is yet another veteran singer to make an appearance and this time around it is Asha Bhonsle with whom Sami first came to prominence with the number 'Kabhi To Nazar Milao'. Titled 'Aise Jalta Hai Jiya', the number has a late 70's/ early 80's feel to it. Seemingly, a cry of a wandering spirit (which forms the crux of 1920), 'Aise Jalta Hai Kya' is yet another situational track which would at maximum stay on with the film's narrative but that's about. And if the picturisation isn't engaging enough, it may well see itself getting into a fast-forward mode.

 

Piano piece at the beginning of 'Tujhe Main Pyar Karu' makes one look forward to what's there in store for the rest of the song. However, once Kailash Kher's rendition begins, it turns out to be yet another slow-paced situational track, which is set in a mode similar to that of 'Aise Jalta Hai Jiya'. A number about love, separation and subsequent pain, 'Tujhe Main Pyar Karu' should again form a part of the background score and appear repeatedly in the film's narrative.

 

Best part of this Adnan Sami soundtrack turns out to be '1920 - Theme' which sees the sound of piano coming together with violins and hence creating a spell binding atmosphere. However, it is a pity that this one turns out to be shortest of all as it lasts only a little more than 2 minutes, one hopes that in the film, it finds a good placement for itself.

 

Overall 1920 stays on to be a situational soundtrack where emphasis has been on the story moving forward rather than songs arriving at any given junction to give the album sales a boost. Though one doesn't see a chartbuster per se emerging out of 1920, the quality of 'Vaada Tumse Hain Vaada' coupled with the (expected) selling power of 'Bichua' could prove to be some help.