Halla Bol Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
What does one expect from a film which comes with a title Halla Bol. Expectations are mainly centered on hearing a few theme tracks along with situational numbers which come as a part of the film's background score. Of course, one can't expect love songs or item numbers in this Rajkumar Santoshi social which boasts of an impressive lineage of actors like Ajay Devgan, Pankaj Kapoor and Vidya Balan. With Sukhwinder Singh at the helm of composition along with Sameer and Late Shri Dushyant Kumar handling the writing department, one looks forward to a dramatic soundtrack.
As expected 'Jab Tak Hai Dum', the opening track of the album, takes an anthem route. Sukhwinder Singh himself comes behind the mike for this track which also has chorus singers making their presence throughout the 6 minute duration. A number about people coming together and bringing around a revolution in the most adverse of circumstances, 'Jab Tak' is high on orchestra and should appear throughout the narrative to enhance the dramatic appeal of the film. This is why it is not really unexpected to find the 'Theme Music' based on 'Jab Tak Hai Dum' to come at the very end of the album.
Now this one comes as a welcome surprise. Even though the market for 'Shabd Gurbani' would be quite miniscule, especially those who pick up a Bollywood music album for a song-n-dance routine, it is a soothing route that Sukhwinder Singh takes for this devotional track. Extremely easy on ears and serene, 'Shabd Gurbani' moves at a leisurely pace and makes you feel at peace with yourself throughout it's play. Hear it when in mood for some introspection!
Album takes 180 degrees turn with 'Is Pal Ki Soch', a night club track that has Sayali Bhagat making some sensual moves. Harsh Deep, who has been around for a while now and has been making a consistent impression, sings 'Is Pal Ki Soch'. The song has a 70s cabaret feel and though it is not a chartbuster in the making, it is decent enough to keep you engaged as it plays on screen.
A different team comes together for 'More Haji Piya' which has Mehboob Kotwal as the lyricist, Amjad Farid Sabri from Pakistan as the singer and Vanraj Bhatia as the composer. An enjoyable track set in a sufi mode, 'More Haji Piya' is yet another devotional track to arrive in the album after 'Shabd Gurbani'. The track has a feel similar to that of numerous such sufi numbers though it would be interesting to see how 'More Haji Piya' is set in the film.
'Barsan Lagi' is the last track of the album and gets into an altogether different terrain. Based on folk music, this extremely slow moving number with a Punjabi flavor has Sneha Pant coming behind the mike with Sukhwinder Singh also being heard faintly in the background at a place or two. The number incorporates a semi-classical touch to the proceedings as well and at best works as add on to the background score.
Halla Bol isn't the kind of album that makes a splash at the music stands either on their release or even after the release of the film. At maximum, the soundtrack would work for the film as the scenes unfold in the narrative but that's about it. A decent compilation of songs for the situations.
