Music: Sonu Nigam & Anand Raaj Anand
Lyrics: Sameer Anjaan, Anand Raaj Anand & Kumaar
Music Label: T-Series
Expectations:
Flavours of rustic music from Punjab are what we expect in this Sunny Deol 'action-athon'. Complete originality is something we don't really look for in bhangra-tappa-Heer land.
Music:
The theme song 'Singh Saab The Great' is, expectedly perhaps, fully in Punjabi and composer-singer Sonu Nigam tweaks a Punjabi folk ditty to come out with the high-pitched rabble-rouser. His vocal delivery traverses a range in octaves, and Teesha Nigam gives him excellent company, getting in the perfect Punjabi inflection in tonal quality that we last heard only from the redoubtable Jaspinder Narula.
The exuberant 'Daaru Band Kal Se' (Sonu) at casual hearing could be a much less frenzied, and thus more appealing, version of the song 'Daaru Peeke Nachna' from Jolly LLB. However, the song takes a different course with Anand Raaj Anand keeping the tune simple and beat-heavy. He joins Kumaar in writing the amusing lyrics of someone promising to leave alcohol after one last binge. It's remix version, 'Daaru Band Kal Se - Remix' (Sonu again) barely differs from the original except in the artificially pepped-up pace that spoils the appeal.
'Palang Todh' (Sunidhi Chauhan-Anand Raaj Anand) is one of those raunchy folk sparklers that with a top star would have truly gone places in popularity. The infectious beats and suggestive words create a mahoul (atmosphere seems too tepid a term here!) that envelops you as long as Sunidhi Chauhan is at the microphone. Anand Raaj Anand (also the music director of this folk tune adapted by Sameer Anjaan) is bawdy as needed but the song could have been more potent (no pun intended) if a more energetic and punchy male singer had been there to match Sunidhi's brilliant expertise.
'Jab Mehndi Lag Lag Jaave' (Shreya-Sonu) - full of energy and vibrancy - has clever lyrics that are high in Punjabi, the zingy duet. Shreya dominates the song with some portions for Sonu. The folk rhythm is arranged and mixed just right. Anand Raaj Anand's composition, though not dated, has a nice retro charm.
Finally, Sonu's 'Heer' is far from the traditional 'Heer' - it's an eulogy of the beloved recited soulfully by the singer to the same tune.
Overall:
Punjabi music has always been a heady mix of rhythm and vibrant melody with lyrics reflecting celebration and fun. The music here would have worked better with better production, cerebral mixing and less raucousness, especially in the three Anand Raaj Anand tracks.
Our Pick:
'Singh Saab The Great', 'Daaru Band Kal Se', 'Palang Tod Paan'