ABCD – Any Body Can Dance – 2 Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
When a film belongs to the music and dance genre, the obvious expectation is of an out and out foot tapping soundtrack which doesn't have a single dance moment. While the music of ABCD was good too, its songs had arrived for audience consumption quite late in the day. Thankfully for the film's sequel, the makers have kick-started the promotional campaign well in advance. Now that was pretty much the need of the hour too as there are as many as 10 unique songs put together by composers Sachin-Jigar and lyricist Mayur Puri.
MUSIC
The soundtrack kick-starts with the anthem number 'Bezubaan Phir Se'. Now that's a right move indeed as an instant connect is formed with the listeners due to the recollection factor. The choice of singers is right through as Vishal Dadlani is as ferocious as he can get for this high decibel number while Madhav Krishna brings on the right contrast with his pleasant rendition of 'Bezubaan'. As for Anushka Manchanda, she makes an entry two minutes into the song and brings in just the right variation that was needed before Vishal takes over the scene yet again. Expect a terrific outing on screen when the song arrives in the film.
Immediately after comes the most melodious number of the film, 'Sun Saathiya'. Priya Saraiya also makes a guest appearance for this number as a lyricist and does complete justice as a singer too while rendering this one. Moreover, what really impresses about this classical fusion number is the manner in which Shraddha Kapoor takes it to the next level with her dance moves. A package track which has Divya Kumar coming behind the mike as well, this one warrants a repeat listening.
However, what surprises is the arrival of 'Chunar' at this juncture. It is a slow moving sad number that typically brings down the pace of the film. A pathos filled track about a youngster remembering the care and affection from his mother, it has Arijit Singh sounding quite different from his usual self. One just hopes that in the film it doesn't play for its entire duration of four and a half minutes!
Thankfully, there is respite immediately with 'Happy Birthday' which is yet another birthday song to arrive this year after a fantastic 'Birthday Bash' [Dilliwalli Zaalim Girlfriend]. A pajama party number which has Sachin and Jigar coming together behind the mike with Varun Dhavan and D. Soldierz joining as well (who also contributes with the lyrics), it is fun all the way right through its quick-fire three minute play. Expect this one to find patronage amongst youth in a big way and also pep up the narrative in a big way.
The soundtrack continues to find itself on a stable ground with Benny Dayal stepping in with 'If You Hold My Hand'. A Hinglish number with a pop flavor to it, it belongs to the kind that makes for a pleasant hearing. Though one doesn't see it finding its way into the list of chartbusters this year, for those in mood for some young sound, this one pretty much fits the bill.
After a couple of youthful tracks arrives a devotional number 'Hey Ganaraya' which acts as a break in the momentum which was just about building up. Though Divya Kumar sings this classical track well, its four minute long duration takes ABCD 2 in an altogether direction altogether. Compared to 'Bappa Morya' in ABCD, this one doesn't quite come close, though yet again some imaginative choreography could change the game for the song.
Some fun returns to the scene with 'Happy Hour' which has Prabhu Dheva leading the show. A lazy sounding number that is created for a drunken outing, it has Mika Singh at the helm of affairs. Though the composition by itself is no great shakes, the song is taken to a different level by Prabhu Dheva who shows yet again that he is easily the best dancer that India has today.
The momentum enhances further with 'Naach Meri Jaan' which also boasts of some good arrangements that pump up the adrenalin. A high spirited number with a very good pace to it, this one is a celebratory outing which has Benny Dayal, Shalmali Kholgade, Siddharth Basrur and Rimi Nique letting their hair down. Sachin-Jigar show once again that they have pretty much brought some 'masti' into the Bollywood musical scene while Pritam is on a sabbatical. A highlight number, it should enliven the proceedings of the film.
The 'masti' continues with Shefali Alvares coming on the scene and rendering 'Tattoo'. With a jingle feel to it coupled with an Indi-pop outing, this is yet another Hinglish outing in the soundtrack. Boasting of some good fun quotient, it has in it to add on well to the soundtrack that has a mix of some really interesting numbers.
Surprisingly though, the final number 'Vande Mataram' meanders in many directions and makes one sure that this is going to be the climax outing in the film. With singers as varied as Daler Mehndi, Tanishka Sanghvi, Badshah and Divya Kumar coming together for this piece which goes on for a good seven minutes, 'Vande Mataram' is strictly situational and designed for bringing on some never-seen-before dance moments on screen.
OVERALL
ABCD 2 scores from the fact that Sachin-Jigar as well as Mayur Puri bring on quite some range in this soundtrack which has everything from a love song to dance numbers to devotional outing to situational tracks. Though the overall outcome is not excellent due to some speed breakers right through this song-heavy album, it is still good enough while making sure that ample awareness is created around the film.
OUR PICK(S)
'Naach Meri Jaan', 'Happy Birthday', 'Sun Saathiya', 'Bezubaan Phir Se'
