Dil Kabaddi Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
Dil Kabaddi - Now that's quite some title, and an innovative one at that! Immediately giving an impression of the film being a light hearted rom-com, Dil Kabaddi boasts of an impressive cast comprising of Rahul Bose, Irrfan Khan, Rahul Khanna, Konkona Sen Sharma, Soha Ali Khan - a team which could well be busy building an alternate industry of it's own. Coming to the music of the film, it sees the Bollywood debut of Sachin Gupta who has composed for Atif Aslam's hit album 'Doorie'. The soundtrack boasts of six songs that have Sachin Gupta, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shabbir Ahmed contributing as lyricists with a song apiece and Virag Mishra chipping in with three tracks.
Sachin plays the triple role of composer, lyricist and singer for 'Ehsaas' which seems to be taking on from where 'Doorie' left. With a distinct Pakistani soft rock sound to it, 'Ehsaas' makes for a quiet hearing and has its effect enhanced even more if one closely hears the lyrics. Though the song has sad overtones to it, it doesn't fail to engage a listener. With Jaspreet Singh also contributing as a vocalist along with Sachin Gupta, 'Ehsaas' is soothing to ears and has an instant recollection value to it. A shorter 'remix version' also comes in and though one would have wondered if it was indeed required, the final result is good enough to allow it a lounge setting.
'Uthale Ya Phenk De' could well be the flagship number of Dil Kabaddi considering the way it is being promoted across all music channels. A light hearted track about 'leaving or taking the relationships', 'Uthale Ya Phenk De' has a Caribbean theme to it with a distinct sound which is enhanced further due to the way it's music video has been picturised. A Hinglish number written by Virag Mishra that hints on extra marital affairs and romance outside marriage, 'Uthale Ya Phenk De' is sung by Jaspreet Singh and Aditya Jassi and deserves to be make an appearance as a part of the film's background score.
When the singer's name reads Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, there are expectations of a soothing number sans any unnecessary orchestra marring the impact of the tune. 'Zindagi Ye' too stays unadulterated as it takes a philosophical route, though without going overboard in being overtly serious in it's setting. A situational 'sufi' track which is also written by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, 'Zindagi Ye' makes for a good hearing and one waits to see how it is placed in the film. 'Rock version' of a song like 'Zindagi Ye'? Now how would that be possible?' - That's what you end up saying to yourself on seeing the number being repeated later in the album. Well, after listening to the song, you rightly end up going back to the original!
Mika is roped in for Virag Mishra written 'Ok Tata Done', a kind of number which one usually associates with Sanjay Dutt. Remember 'Tez Dhar' (Musafir) and the likes? A song which is required to bring it with some attitude on screen, 'Ok Tata Done' is mainly an extended music piece with Mika's voice being heard intermittently. The sound of 'Kabaddi Kabaddi' which comes mid-way into the song gives it a theme piece feel, something which is expected to be a part of the narrative at various junctures in the film.
With 'Nasha Nashila', Jaspreet Singh gets to sing his third song in the album. Along with Poroma, he is in high spirits for this Shabbir Ahmed written track which comes with good energy. A celebration track about enjoying life and not allowing any dull moment coming in, 'Nasha Nashila' could well have a club setting to it. A rhythmic number with some melodic portions to it as well, 'Nasha Nashila' acts as a good filler.
Later, Jaspreet Singh and Poroma return with Monali for 'Goodnight', a Virag Mishra written fun song about fantasies going wild in the night. One wonders how a song like this got itself included into Dil Kabaddi since it truly belongs to David Dhawan school of cinema. With actors like Rahul Bose, Irrfan Khan, Rahul Khanna, Konkona Sen Sharma and Soha Ali Khan expected to participate in the number, it could well be a riot on screen if supported by some fun-n-naughty picturisation.
Dil Kabaddi is a decent first attempt by Sachin Gupta who delivers two potential popular numbers - 'Uthale Ya Phenk De' and 'Ehsaan'. While 'Zindagi Ye' is easy on ears as well, 'Goodnight' too makes one wait to see the eventual results on the big screen.
