Love Exchange Review {1.5/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
One is actually surprised to know that a film called Love Exchange is up for release. With absolutely no promotion so far, it requires a quick online visit to know what is in the store. As it turns, this is a romantic musical family drama in the offering with music by Jaidev Kumar and lyrics by Kumaar. The musical team does set decent expectations though.
MUSIC
It is a Punjabi beginning for Love Exchange with Master Saleem kick-starting the proceedings with 'Tera Thumka' with Simran & Tripath coming together for some traditional chorus. A fast paced celebration number that follows the template, this one too gets into the 'party' zone, though thankfully some level of Punjabi authenticity is maintained. Moreover, there isn't an overdose of 'daaru' and 'talli' here.
Dev Negi's voice is heard for 'Automatic Love' and one can pretty much sense that his is turning out to be a reliable voice in the movies. Ok, so lyrics like 'Automatic Love' doesn't really make you root for the song, more so since they come from someone experienced like Kumaar. Really, if only for a better hook-line, this peppy number wouldn't have been a bad hear after all. Ishmeet Narula chips in for Punjabi portions in this easy and smooth flowing composition which actually starts sounding even better during the 'antara' portions. With better words, it could well have found its way into a DJ's collection.
Jaidev Kumar continues to experiment with singers and this time around brings in Javed Bashir, Sanj. V, Dev Negi and Shipra Goyal together for a Sufi track 'Dil Kyo Banaya Rab Ne'. Now this one is straight out of Emraan Hashmi territory and takes one to the chartbusters he has enjoyed in Milan Luthria films like The Dirty Picture ['Ishq Sufiyana'] and Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai ['Pee Loon']. Quite likeable in the very first hearing, it becomes all the more impressive once Shipra's voice is heard mid-way through the song.
Another voice that continues to impress song after song is that of Shraddha Pandit's. The young woman has been singing quite well quite consistently and she does so yet again with 'Hosho Hawas'. A song of seduction, it has a nice sound of guitar going along with it. Interestingly, it comes quite close to another Emraan Hashmi number, 'Sang Hoon Tere' [Jannat 2], though the similarities end at the 'mukhda'. Yes, the lyrics are quite typical here, but then they go well with the stage and setting of the song. This one should be good filler in the film's narrative.
Last to arrive is the Marathi devotional number, 'Tooch Datta', for which guest composer Vikrant Warde and lyricist Manish Ansurkar are roped in. A track in praise of Lord Ganesha, it has all the musical and lyrical elements that come with the territory. This one brings a good finale to the soundtrack.
OVERALL
The music of Love Exchange may not be memorable but it isn't a pushover either. However, zero promotion means that it would largely go unnoticed.
OUR PICK(S)
'Dil Kyo Banaya Rab Ne', 'Hoshi Hawas'