Ek Tha Tiger Review {3.5/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
To state that there are huge expectations from the music of Ek Tha Tiger would be an understatement. Salman Khan films are such that regardless of the genre, one does expect a series of chartbusters in the offering from him. He may be playing a cop or a bodyguard in the film but all his fans would to see and hear are some 'dhinchaak' dance tracks. No wonder, even though it sounds a little unrealistic to see him getting into a 'Dhinka Chika' mode for Ek Tha Tiger, especially when he is playing a secret services agent in the film, one still expects a moon from composer Sohail Sen.
MUSIC
The album begins though with guest composers Sajid-Wajid's 'Mashallah'. Instantly reminding one of the look and feel that Amitabh Bachchan's 'The Great Gambler' had carried, this song is set in Middle Eastern genre, rightly so since a major part of the film is based there. With Wajid coming behind the mike as well, the song (also appearing in a 'remix version') is decent but definitely not the kind that one expected at the very start. Yes, the signature theme is addictive and Shreya Ghoshal gets into the groove well too. However the punch is missing in this Kausar Munir written song with Salman as the only takeaway.
The sound of calypso welcome the listener as Sohail Sen takes over the scene and brings to fore 'Laapata'. Palak Muchhal is the singer here who comes dangerously close to sounding like Shreya Ghoshal herself! Nevertheless, she is soon joined by K.K in this Anvita Dutt written song which is yet another instance where the overall impact is good, not excellent, something that one has been craving for all this while. In fact the core tune also sounds at least a decade late (despite a 'remix version' trying to pep up the affairs) and ends up fitting into the filler category instead of being the one that drives an album forward.
Thankfully there is a quintessential Salman song that follows before it is too late. 'Banjaara' is the track in question and Sukhwinder Singh does well in bring to fore his characteristic boisterous self that lifts the album to a very good extent. Whether it's the beats, the thump or the overall energy that the song carries, 'Banjaara' is a winner all the way. Also, it has just the right kind of pace that sets the stage for Jolly (Joshilay) to take over the proceedings for the 'remix version'. Add to that Neelesh Misra's lyrics and you know that this one is a chartbuster in the offering.
The album continues to show good escalation with Kausar Munir written 'Saiyaara' turning out to be another superb composition in the offering. In fact this is one song where one can also sense Sohail Sen's handiwork in motion as the composer's touch is quite apparent. What further accentuates the overall appeal is Mohit Chauhan's prowess behind the mike which adds a unique touch to this romantic number. He is ably supported by Taraannum Mallik and together they do well in this smooth flowing number which falls in the quintessential Bollywood musical category which is just the kind that a listener was waiting for.
Last to arrive is Julius Packiam composed 'Tiger's Theme' and it comes so close to sounding like 'Don Theme' that one is almost tempted to check if Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have guest composed this one. That is not the case and even though this three minute long musical piece manages to catch your imagination, it is surprisingly not as stylish and action packed that one would have expected from a theme composition that has been created for the biggest film of the year!
OVERALL
Music of Ek Tha Tiger is good though one expected it to have gone all the way further up. Call it the burden of expectations but then as the saying goes, with huge power comes responsibility. In case of Ek Tha Tiger, there isn't any composition that puts you off. In fact what is noticeable is the fact that the overall sound of the album remains more or less consistent. However one still feels that there could have been that 'little something' more for the loyal Salman base. Nevertheless, there are tracks like 'Banjaara' and 'Saiyaara' (and to some extent 'Mashallah' as well) which would ensure that Ek Tha Tiger finds itself hot at the music stands as well as ring-tones circuit. This, coupled with the fact that there is immense curiosity to check out what the album is all about, would help ensure good moolah coming in for Ek Tha Tiger.
OUR PICK(S)
Banjaara, Saiyaara, Mashallah
