Hero Review {4.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
One isn't really sure of what to expect from the music of Hero. The musical scene in Bollywood this year has been largely lukewarm and though there have been a few instant chartbusters, the wait for a complete album has been extended like never before. Though Hero is a Salman Khan production with Nikhil Advani calling the shots, one wonders if a horde of composers and lyricists that has come together for eight songs would be able to deliver well. Moreover, the music of Subhash Ghai's Hero is played till date and hence the remake needs to live up those huge expectations as well.
MUSIC
As it turns out, the start of Hero soundtrack is absolutely fantastic, what with Salman Khan's voice being heard for the title song 'Main Hoon Hero Tera'. Salman's voice sounds much younger and softer, something that truly suits debutant Sooraj Pancholi. Amaal Mallik, the youngster who has been delivering on a consistent basis, is in complete form yet again for this highly melodious number which makes 'Main Hoon Hero Tera' a number that truly deserves many more repeat hearing. No wonder, the Kumaar written track finds a version in the voice of Armaan himself, hence making the entire experience truly worthy.
Newcomer composer Jassi Katyal, who is looking at making his presence felt in Bollywood, hits a boundary with Kumaar written 'Yadaan Teriyaan' which is a pathos filled number that goes well with quintessential Bollywood sound. This is accentuated all the more, courtesy Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who comes up with a song that would be remembered for some more time to come. Of late, not many songs by him have actually managed to make one sit up and notice. However this one does. Later another version arrives as well where Shipra Goyal makes a wonderful impression along with singer Dev Negi.
There is a turnaround in the album soon after with Meet Bros Anjjan coming on the scene with 'Dance Ke Legend'. The trio delivers yet another chartbuster number, hence adding on their tally of foot tapping songs during last couple of years. Ok, so the very title 'Dance Ke Legend' isn't something that makes you go wow right at the start. In fact you do wonder if this is indeed the apt hook-line for the song. However, just after a couple of hearing of this song which is also sung by Meet Bros Anjjan, you are hooked, and how. The dance beats do the trick and rest is taken care of by singers Bhoomi Trivedi and Sunaina Singh.
The mood changes right after with Niranjan Iyenger written 'Khoya Khoya'. The 'pahaadi' feel of the song is such that you instantly crave for Mohit Chauhan. The wish is fulfilled moments into the song with the singer coming on the scene and immediately making it his own. A beautiful number with a wonderful blend of rhythm and melody to it by composer duo Sachin-Jigar, 'Khoya Khoya' has Priya Panchal coming on the scene soon after, and brightening up the proceedings. With Arpita Chakraborty and Tanishka Sanghvi, 'Khoya Khoya' makes you go for that 'Repeat' button and play it all over again.
Most of the songs in the album are over five minute each in duration and 'O Khuda' is no different. You don't mind that at all as Amaal Mallik does wonderfully well, both as a composer and singer, in this love song which has some sensitive yet simple lyrics by Kumaar that leave a definite mark. This one has a leisurely flow to it and is soaked in melody all through, hence turning out to be a song that just cannot be ignored. With a dependable Palak Muchchal bringing on a childlike innocence to the play of the song, you know that 'O Khuda' would be heard for good time to come.
There is an aberration though with Sachin-Jigar and Niranjan Iyenger joining hands for 'Jab We Met'. Not that it is bad by any means, in fact most of the other soundtracks may well have placed this one right at the start; however in an album which has so many melodies to pick and choose from, this fun number seems a little out of place. This one by Benny Dayal and Shalmali Kholgade with Divya Kumar and Jigar Saraiya as the back-up vocalists may be in the first 30 minutes of the film to establish the youthful appeal of the film, and hence turn out to be good for the situation.
OVERALL
Hero is the album of the year so far. It has a mix of beautiful melodies (led by 'Main Hoon Hero Tera') coupled with a smash dance number ( 'Dance Ke Legend') in the offering. These, along with rest of the soundtrack, ensure that you play this on loop all through the day. Salman Khan and Nikhil Advani along with their team of composers, lyricists and singers do well to ensure that Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty get a perfect musical launch for themselves.
OUR PICK(S)
'Main Hoon Hero Tera', 'Dance Ke Legend', 'Yadaan Teriyaan', 'Khoya Khoya', 'O Khuda'
