Dil Dosti Etc Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
Shreyas Talpade is going through an interesting phase of his career. On one hand he has hardcore commercial flicks like Om Shanti Om
and Aggar while on the other he works in middle-of-the-road cinema like Dil Dosti Etc., a Prakash Jha production directed by
debutant Manish Tiwary, the film also stars Imaad Shah in a full fledged parallel lead after a small role in Yun Hota To Kya Hota. Ditto for
Nikita Anand who debuts in main lead after making her presence felt in Life Mein Kabhi Kabhi opposite Dino Morea.
The film also marks the debut of Ishita Sharma in the film which also stars Smriti Mishra and has music by Siddharth-Suhas [who had earlier
composed for 'The Film'] and band 'Agnee'. With expectations of hearing something unusual (especially due to the film's title) one
plays on Dil Dosti Etc. In the end, it turns out to be a pleasant surprise indeed.
With the sound of guitar marking an opening of 'Dum Laga', the stage is set for a campus track with a group of guys coming
together to sing a number which creates a hostel room setting. There is an authenticity in this Siddharth-Suhas composed number which has
them coming along with Suraj Jagan (who recently crooned the terrific title track of Johnny Gaddaar) and Hamza (whose title track of
Aggar is currently in air) behind the mike.
A rhythmic number that is narrated from the point of view of college students who are hardly interested in studies, have been jilted in love and
love watching blue films while gossiping around spicy tales and happenings in the college, this Raam Goutam, Prashant Pandey, Siddharth
and Suhas written track is situational though it would be easily identified by the students community. Pretty much expected since the song
ends with the mention of FOSLA - Frustrated One Sided Lover's Association!
With a few additional dialogues interspersed into the song comes the remix version of 'Dum Laga' done by DJ Phat. After hearing the
song multiple times, one in fact ends up settling down to the tune and starts enjoying it as a track which truly reminds one of the college days.
Coming from Agnee, 'Lamha Ye Jayega Kahan' is sung by K Mohan who does quite well in creating just the right feel of this
journey song. One is instantly reminded of the kind of numbers which Lucky Ali specializes in as the song centered on a solitary moment makes
for a soulful hearing. With meaningful lyrics by Prashant Pandey making 'Lamha'a number that deserves repeat hearing, the song
moves at a decent pace and is truly non-filmy in it's appeal. Hear it if you are a lover of pop music.
Siddharth-Suhas create a club feel for 'Sambhalo Dil Ko' which has, who else, but Sunidhi Chauhan rendering the number. Just
the right fit for a song like this, Sunidhi is in her elements for this Kumar written number which goes well with the yuppie taste of the club
hopping youngsters. In a bigger film with more established names, the song could have been a good candidate for being promoted
aggressively. The song may not be exceptional with the most original of tunes but goes well to keep the rhythm and funk going. One hopes
that the makers have given the song its due in the film and have picturised and choreographed it well.
After a pop outing, Agnee returns with a song belonging to a completely different genre. A 'mujra' based on Indian classical music, 'More
Baanke Chhaliya' has Aarti Ankalikar being roped in for rendition. Just like the 'mujra' titled 'Ehi Thaiyaa Motiya' by Rekha
Bhardwaj which was just heard in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, this too is situational. Expected to be choreographed on Smriti Mishra who
plays a prostitute in Dil Dosti Etc., 'More Baanke Chhaliya' is only for those with a classical bent.
Real fun is saved for the album's end as 'Man Moniye' comes next. A 'club-bhangra' track which picks up the momentum from the word
GO and is an irresistible track to dance to, especially when Mona sings the female part of the song in English. Written by Kumaar, 'Man
Moniye' is a full blown dance number in the vocals of Labh Janjua who is sure to get another hit number to his name.
With a rhythm that keeps the song running at a high pace and foot tapping arrangements, 'Man Moniye' is yet another track that
deserves good promotion to reach out to a wider audience. It is nice to hear a slightly different sound in DJ Phat So created 'remix version'
who keeps the fun going.
Dil Dosti Etc. is a good album that has a waiting-to-be-chartbuster 'Man Moniye' on one side and a massy campus track 'Dum
Laga on the other which brings in good variation. In the middle of this, there is a song for the Indi-pop lovers 'Lamha' and a club
track 'Sambhalo' which keep the proceedings interesting. Dil Dosti Etc. deserves to be promoted better and who knows, if the
movie succeeds, the songs too may find their bearing.
