Jugni Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
There isn't much heard or spoken about Jugni so far. Now that's surprising, considering the fact that the film is just a fortnight away from release. This isn't all as the film is a musical (composer - Clinton Cerejo, lyricist - Shellee) and has as many as seven songs with Punjabi folk and Sufi dominating the soundtrack all through. Still, there has been no promotional effort so far for the film or its music.
MUSIC
It is a folk beginning for the album with the title song 'Jugni' sung wonderfully well by Javed Bashir. There is an extended beginning by the singer with instruments coming into play almost at a one and a half minute point. From this point, the pace sets in and hardcore Punjabi lyrics are heard in full fervor. Of course the local flavour limits the reach of the song but if you are the kind who likes the kind of music coming from Coke Studio, this is the one for you right at the start.
The quintessential Punjabi folk sound is the mainstay of the album and that is established yet again with 'Dil Ke Sang' that comes in next. Clinton Cerejo brings himself on board as a singer and he goes full throttle for this fun number which has a good rhythm to it and doesn't let a single dull moment seep in. An out and out Punjabi number which has Nakash Aziz joining in soon, this one has a playful feel to it.
It is time to get into the fusion zone for Clinton Cerejo as he has Bianca Gomes kick-start her pop rendition, before he along with Baba Bulleh Shah and Shellee go Sufi for 'Hatt Mullah'. The start is quite good for the song and one can almost sense a twist round the corner once the sound of 'Hatt Mullah' sets in. A situational track that should go well with the narrative of Jugni, this one deserves needs to be heard closely.
Vishal Bhardwaj steps in as a singer for 'Dugg Duggi Dugg', which continues to be seeped into Sufi-folk zone. In fact the manner in which the song is composed, written and sung, it pretty much comes close to the kind of work that Vishal has done himself as a composer along with Gulzar. A song of the night, this one brings in 'thehrav' into the proceedings, though isn't quite the kind that would cover much distance.
The track that comes next is the longest of the lot, as it spans full seven minutes. A 'qawalli' which has Rahat Fateh Ali Khan leading the show, 'Zarre Zarre Mein Noor Bhara' starts off on a rather slow note with Jazim Sharma giving company to the singer. However, one minute into the song and you want to hear what is just round the corner once the pace picks up. From this point on, you do immerse yourself well into the sound which continues to grow on you as it reaches its culmination.
It is time for a love outing with Javed Bashir returning on the scene. The song in question is 'Dilaan De Saudey' and is a right follow up to the title song 'Jugni' that was heard right at the beginning. A well-paced song that does get your feet tapping, this one doesn't take much time to grow on you. That said, one would have rather heard it as a pure 'desi' number instead of Western instruments coming into play.
The album concludes with 'Lakhon Salaam' and there is a surprise in store as the name A.R. Rahman is seen on the credits. A haunting track which is kick-started by Kashif Sahib, it has a rather haunting feel to it even as it maintains a very slow pace throughout its duration. No wonder, it seems to last much longer than its five and a half minute time span.
OVERALL
While there isn't anything exceptional about the soundtrack, one also hunts for that one chartbuster track that could have propelled the fortunes of the film. This one is an experimental score and mainly for those who like the music of their Bollywood films to be unconventional.
OUR PICK(S)
'Jugni', 'Dil Ke Sang', 'Zarre Zarre Mein Noor Bhara'