Music: Salim-Sulaiman, Akash Chopra & Labh Janjua Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya, Zaheer Anwar,…  

<b>Music: Salim-Sulaiman, Akash Chopra & Labh Janjua</b><br> <b>Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya, Zaheer Anwar, Satyadev Singh, Akash Chopra & Labh Janjua</b><br> <b>Music label: T-Series</b><br><br> <b>Expectations:</b><br><br> Expectations here may not be high, but then the Sagars' banner were once known for quality musicals like <i>Arzoo, Ankhen</i> (1968), <i>Geet</i> and <i>Charas</i> and even their flop films like <i>Jalte Badan</i> had memorable music. <br><br> <b>Music: </b><br><br> Though routinely written with clichéd plural terms for single words like <i>jannaton, mannaton</i> and <i>nematon</i>, the rhythmic melody <b><i>'Muh Meetha Karaa De'</i></b> is a neat number that keeps everything simple - from the placid instrumentation to the vocals. Benny Dayal is in free form again after '<i>Latt Lag Gayi</i>' (<i>Race 2</i>) and '<i>Budtameez Dil</i>' (<i>Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani</i>), Monali Thakur gives a sweet tone to the number and the <i>shehnai</i> pieces are a highlight. <br><br> This song is composed by Salim-Sulaiman and penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The remaining two songs of this combo are nothing to go ga-ga about, though. <b><i>'Khula Saand'</i></b> by Salim Merchant will be liked by those who like to go in for such loud Punjabi-ized numbers with smart-aleck English use (<i>Mardon ke ankhen hoti hai camera / Mauqa dekhke zoom badha</i>) and little by way of novelty or substance. The crass lyrics actually advise the hero to be a libidinous <i>saand</i> (bull)! <br><br> And <b><i>'Rabba Main Kya Karoon'</i></b> (Raj Pandit, Benny Dayal, Vidhi Sharma) is one of those dull, pop-like numbers that make up the worst of contemporary film songs - the singers seem to sing only with their lips in a lackluster composition with indifferent lyrics and a pretension towards Sufi tenors. <br><br> Akash Chopra composes two songs, from which the doubtless situational <b><i>'Brandy'</i></b> (which he sings and co-writes with Satyadev Singh) is another song that is musically <i>bhangra-paap</i> (sin) rather than a mix of Punjabi and <i>pop</i>! Trying to be heady - even the lyrics speak of intoxication! - the song is more of a pain in the head that also makes us wonder who appreciates an endless supply of such songs that seem the same in every way! It also triggers off amnesia - after it is over you do not recall the track despite four hearings! <br><br> <b><i>'Dua'</i></b> (sung by Akash Chopra himself), the other song, is a typical contemporary litany that mistakes an alternation of high-pitch with a low-pitched, throaty voice as deep sorrow. The lyrics are similar to a zillion such sad songs in films over the last five years with the same clichéd permutations and combinations of similar words, phrases and sentiments. <br><br> <b><i>'Baari Barsi'</i></b> (written, composed and sung by Labh Janjua), a high energy <i>dhol</i>-and trumpet-rich number, is yet another variant of the well-known traditional Punjabi folk song. One of the more spirited versions, it makes up in verve what it lacks in melodious appeal. <br><br> <b>Overall: </b><br><br> This is a score that lacks in musical and lyrical caliber, with barely anything inspiring for the listener. The apparent 'magic wand' of using Punjabi lyrics and music to hard-sell even Punjab-based subjects has long since passed its expiry date, unless both music and movie have substance. Forget music buffs, nowadays it does not even entice either the pubs or downloads. <br><br> <b>Our Picks</b><br><br> <i>Munh Meetha Karaa De, Baari Barsi</i>