Bol Bachchan Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
There are decent, if not extraordinary expectations that one has from the music of Bol Bachchan. After all, Rohit Shetty is known for using music as an ingredient to drive the narrative of his films instead of making any quintessential musicals. His past work has been a testimony of that and while a song or two do manage to click at times, Rohit's films are awaited for their action and masala than the songs. Now with Himesh Reshammiya coming on board, one waits to see what does the composer bring to the film here.
MUSIC
The album has four original tracks with a remix each. First to arrive is the title song 'Bol Bachchan' which has been much hyped for its beginning which is based on Amitabh Bachchan's legendary track 'My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves' [Amar Akbar Anthony]. To be honest, the song doesn't really make one jump with joy after it is heard first. The effect is just the same even in subsequent listening. However once it has been heard 5-6 times, this Farhad-Sajid written song turns out to be addictive and now.
In fact the entire perception around the song changes after it is given a patient hearing and once it gets on you, it is tough to ignore it. It is sung by Amitabh Bachchan with good support from Abhishek Bachchan and Ajay Devgn who are more into the talkie part with Mamta Sharma, Himesh Reshammiya and Vineet Singh chipping in as well. While together they are clearly enjoying their stint behind the mike, the only moment in the song which sticks out like a sore thumb is the one where one hears the word 'pendulum'. If one leaves that aside, the original as well as the 'remix' promise an outing that should be fun on screen.
With Himesh Reshammiya as a composer, it is expected that he would be heard as a singer as well. That is indeed the case in the very next song 'Chalao Na Naino Se'. With a beginning which is same as 'Mehangai' [Peepli [Live] ] and also has a brief reference to 'Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote' [Albela], this 'desi' track put to words by Shabbir Ahmed is instantly catchy and makes you tap your feet in the very first hearing. Of course one can't ignore the reference points here but then it is clear that Himesh has been inspired by folk sounds here. Nonetheless, with ever-so-dependable Shreya Ghoshal doing her bit and Rohit Shetty ensuring that the picturisation is lively enough, the song turns out to be yet another ready to serve 'masala' dish.
Ajay-Atul, who had earlier composed for Rohit Shetty's Singham, make a guest appearance with 'Nach Le Nach Le'. With a similar style of composition as was the case in their title song of Singham, what makes one further remember it is Sukhwinder Singh who has been roped in again. Written by Swanand Kirkire, this one is a love song and though it is a little too fast paced, hence paving way for a dance outing, 'Nach Le Nach Le' turns out to be just about decent with all hopes hinging on the way it is picturised. Moreover, the song has too little of Shreya Ghoshal with Sukhwinder primarily leading the show.
The song which comes with a quintessential Himesh Reshammiya stamp though is 'Jab Se Dekhi Hai'. Mohit Chauhan, who has otherwise collaborated mainly with Pritam and was the sole male voice of A.R. Rahman's Rockstar, finds himself in a Himesh Reshammiya setting here and totally justifies his presence. A love song with a 'Sufi' touch to it, this Sameer written song is immensely soulful and also reminds listener of the kind of compositions that Himesh used to compose during 'Ahista Ahista' days. A smooth sounding number with a perfect pace for a romantic setting, 'Jab Se Dekhi Hai' is a very good hear.
OVERALL
Bol Bachchan is a good album which delivers what is expected from a movie like this which doesn't have much scope for music in the first place. However by adding a title song with Amitabh Bachchan in lead and a couple of romantic tracks (Jab Se Dekhi Hai, Chalao Na Naino Se) that bring different flavours, the makers have ensured that the music would turn out to be an ideal companion for the film's narrative here.
OUR PICK(S)
Bol Bachchan, Chalao Na Naino Se, Jab Se Dekhi Hai
