Khel Khel Mein Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
Considering the fact that Khel Khel Mein is a situational comedy with dramatic elements and is basically set in one night, one expects the music to be primarily situational with a couple of dance numbers and something that’s functional. If there is a chartbuster or two that comes in here then that’s an added bonus but by and large you want the music to service the narrative of the film and that’s about it.
MUSIC
Thankfully, the soundtrack kick starts with a groove dance number Hauli Hauli. As is the characteristic style of Guru Randhawa, he doesn’t go fully ballistic with his composition or lyrics and keeps it subtle and effective. Along with Yo Yo Honey Singh, he pairs up behind the mike as well and comes with a song that adds on well to the celebratory mood in which it has been set right at the start of the film. Later the duo is also joined by Neha Kakkar who does well in her limited part and makes her presence felt.
As is the trend currently, Punjabi overtones are apparent all over again in the song to follow, Duur Na Karin. A love song composed by Tanishk Bagchi and written by Kumaar, this one has Vishal Mishra leading the show. Though the song, which is an adaptation of the namesake song composed by Saji Ali, written by Khadim Hussain & written by Nabeel Shaukat Ali, and has a nice subtle feel to it, somehow it belongs to the kind that has already been heard 5-7 years back and hence you do get a sense of déjà vu. There is anything that you don’t like about this song which also has Zahrah S Khan stepping in as the female vocalist, it’s just that it has a heard before feel to it.
The song that you really feel like grooving though is Do U Know which has been recreated by Tanishk Bagchi. While the composer does a really good job here to create a nice club feel, the song is basically elevated by the manner in which Diljit Dosanjh sings this one. Expect the team to bring this up in a concert and audiences would certainly be left asking for more. The song deserves to be a much bigger hit than what its currently and hopefully it will catch up all the more.
Next to arrive is Chal Ve Dilaa, yet another Punjabi track which has a sad feel to it. Yes, it’s a love song and could well work for those tremendously in love and trying to work out things with each other. Still, at best this Rochak Kohli composed and sung song which has written by Kumaar and is led by Vishal Mishra as the vocalist is at best situational and doesn’t really travel much distance beyond that.
Last to arrive is Raj Ranjodh composed, written and sung track Baari Barsi. With the germ of it based in folk music, this one is actually pretty contemporary in its feel though somehow hasn’t been heard much ever since release. Guru Randhawa leads the charge in this Punjabi track that could well have covered a lot of distance had it been plastered all over by now. Over a period of time, this one may get noticed all the more.
OVERALL
Given the theme of the film, it’s the dance/party/celebration numbers that work more for Khel Khel Mein. A predominantly Punjabi affair, it has Hauli Hauli already as a chartbuster though over a period of time one hopes that Do U Know and Baari Barsi then bigger than what they currently are.
OUR PICK(S)
Hauli Hauli, Do U Know, Baari Barsi
