Pappu Can’t Dance Saala Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
One isn't really sure about what to expect from the soundtrack of Pappu Can't Dance Saala. On one end you end up remembering the namesake chartbuster song picturised on Imran Khan and Genelia D'Souza while on the other end you know that expectations have to be curtailed since the film features an unconventional pairing of Vinay Pathak and Neha Dhupia. Hoping to be surprised, one plays on the album which has music by Malhar and lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya with director Saurabh Shukla chipping in as well.
MUSIC
When names like Mohit Chauhan & Akriti Kakkar pop out of the credit details, you are inclined to carefully listen to what does the song have to offer here. 'Zindagi', though soothing on ears, isn't really an expected start for the album since it takes a philosophical route by questioning the twists and turns that life has to offer. A situational track that could well appear at various junctures in the film, it is a tad heavy duty in nature with a poetic touch to it, hence restricting itself from appealing to a larger segment of masses.
The way 'Saajana' begins, you are immediately reminded of 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje' [7 Khoon Maaf]. However within 25 seconds the song takes a turn with Shreya Ghoshal coming behind the mike. A fun song with a good mix of innocence and simplicity to it, 'Saajana' is pretty much the tale of a girl who could well be a village belle and singing for her lover. The song has the kind of pace and zing to it which reminds one of the kind of rendition that Alka Yagnik used to come up with in her heydays. The song succeeds in bringing a smile on the face and makes one look forward to the ones that follow.
The album gets back to its philosophical mood with 'Abhiman Challa'. With Kailash Kher as a singer you do expect a certain kind of sound and movement for a song. This is exactly what happens in case of this Saurabh Shukla written track as well which is basically a montage number with Vinay Pathak holding centre stage. An out and out 'desi' number which is well attached to the interiors of North India, 'Abhiman Challa' is yet another purely situational track.
Next to arrive is 'Lamha' which is again set in the same mould as 'Zindagi'. The song is easy on ears, is smooth, has a poetic feel to it and yet again hails life for all the happiness it has to offer in each and every moment. Sangeet Haldipur and Shilpa Rao do well as singers by coming up with a controlled rendition that is never over bearing. Of course this song too basically has a situational feel to it but one won't mind listening to it in the background as a part of the story telling.
A song which has been included in the album for purely commercial appeal is 'Haiya Haiya'. A well paced rhythmic track that is sung with some good punch by Mansi Scott, 'Haiya Haiya' is also one of the rare item numbers in recent times that have been picturised solely on Neha Dhupia. She too does full justice to the song and brings in just the right kind of attitude which was the need of the situation here. A good which has a good Western and Indian fusion to it with a touch of Middle East sound, 'Haiya Haiya' deserves to be promoted to the fullest.
The album gets into a sober mood soon after with Sangeet Haldipur going solo for 'Dil-E-Nadaan'. The way it begins, one is reminded of the kind of sound that Salim-Sulaiman have pretty much mastered in the last half a decade or so. Nevertheless, composer Malhar does well in coming up with this soft number which does manage to hold on to its own and plays on smoothly with not much intrusion from many musical instruments.
Just like there was a Salim-Sulaiman influence at the very beginning of the song gone by, one can't ignore a Pritam touch to 'Jadoo' which could well be Malhar's take on 'Zara Zara Touch Me' [Race]. Okay, so the song doesn't quite go all the way like but still as a standalone track, it still makes for a decent hearing. Shilpa Rao's vocals are just the kind that were required for this song of seduction and she doesn't disappoint. One would like to see the kind of distance that Neha Dhupia would be willing to cover on screen while gyrating to 'Jadoo' which is again written by Saurabh Shukla.
OVERALL
One's expectations were pretty much in check before playing on Pappu Can't Dance Saala and in that context the music pretty much turns out to be a tad better. It may not be boasting of chartbuster material here (except for perhaps 'Haiya Haiya' which could do well if promoted aggressively) but doesn't have a single song which is a yawn inducing affair. One can well see that Malhar and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya have done well to create songs that go well with the film's mood and situation. However from commercial perspective, the album has an uphill journey ahead.
OUR PICK(S)
Haiya Haiya, Saajana, Jadoo [Play Songs]
