Heroine Movie Review: Heroine Movie

There are decent expectations from the music of Heroine. Though traditionally Madhur Bhandarkar hasn't really made musicals, his last few films, most notably Dil Toh Baccha Hai Jee (melodious) and Fashion (contemporary) had boasted of some good music. Now with Salim-Sulaiman teaming up with Bhandarkar again and Kareena Kapoor leading the cast, you expect a good soundtrack in the offering.


MUSIC


Heroine starts on a highly energetic note with the flagship number 'Halkat Jawani'. Boasting of a 'desi' feel with a contemporary touch to it while enjoying a late 70s/early 80s setting, 'Halkat Jawani' has Sunidhi Chauhan as just the right choice for the song. Niranjan Iyengar's lyrics cater to the gentry without turning vulgar and while the song doesn't get into the 'Munni'/'Sheila' mode, it doesn't come close to 'Chammak Challo' either. Overall, a perky number that should do its job of enticing single screen audience at least and that uphold film's prospects in the small centres.


There is a quick turnaround though with 'Saaiyaan' taking the album into a different zone altogether. With a 'sufi' base to it, the song has Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in his elements even as the composition reminds one of those pensive numbers heard in the 70s. Though it would be unfair to compare this Amitabh Bhattacharya written number with the kind that R.D. Burman-Gulzar combo created in the mid-70s, 'Saaiyaan' does turn out to be a good hear.


Next to arrive is much talked about 'Chicago/Moulin Rouge' inspired number, 'Main Heroine Hoon'. Sung by Aditi Singh Sharma who had given Kareena Kapoor a terrific 'Raabta' (Agent Vinod) not too while ago, this title song is about the life and times of a heroine where Salim-Sulaiman are clearly inspired by Western style of composition. While one does sense a touch of 'It's A Final Countdown' around the point where Aditi goes about crooning 'Main Heroine Hoon', the inspiration stops just at that with Sanjay Chhel sticking to Bollywood and its inside tales. A situational track which should go well with the film.


Piano heard at the beginning of 'Khwahishein' reminds one of the kind of compositions Salim-Sulaiman had created for Fashion. In fact, once Shreya Ghoshal starts crooning, the sense of Deja Vu only gets stronger. As the song proceeds, one can sense slightly dark undertones to the proceedings with the protagonist seemingly going through moments of predicament. Written by Irfan Siddique, this track too has western arrangements driving the proceedings forward though one does feel that after a good start, the Indianised treatment to the song ends up diluting the impact to some extent.


Heroine comes to a close with Neelesh Mishra written 'Tujhpe Fida' which is in the same mould as many a peppy number created by the composer duo. Still, one has to credit the song for picking up pace as it proceeds, what with the interim portions sounding much better than what the 'mukhda' had suggested. Benny Dayal and Shradha Pandit pair up well for this song which, if given to a DJ, can get some energy rolling in the clubs and lounges. A romantic song with a difference, it gives Heroine a happy ending, something that was required after three consecutive pensive songs.

OVERALL


Music of Heroine is as per expectations. Though one can't expect a soundtrack a la Fashion to be repeated film after film, need of the hour was to have a couple of songs that had it in them to cover a good distance with others fitting in well for the situation. In that aspect Salim-Sulaiman do the job well along with the assortment of lyricists who ensure that this 20 minute soundtrack adds the narrative of this Madhur Bhandarkar film well.