Sirf – Life Looks Greener on the Other Side Review {1.5/5} & Review Rating
Salaam E Ishq and Life In A...Metro were two major films which released last year and had a common running theme to them. The theme centered on relationship between various couples, a few married and some unmarried, who happened to cross each other's way at some junction or another. While Salaam E Ishq wasn't a success, relatively smaller Life In A..Metro went on to be a hit.
Now after a gap of a year, another film with a similar undercurrent of emotions gets ready for release - Sirf… Even though the film boasts of a good ensemble cast comprising of Manisha Koirala, Kay Kay Menon, Ranvir Shorey, Sonali Kulkarni and Rituparna Sengupta, its promotion leaves a lot to be desired as it is virtually coming unannounced. This is the one of major reasons why one isn't too hyped on picking up the soundtrack of Sirf which is composed by Sohail Sen and Shibani Kashyap with lyrics by Mehboob and Vipul Saini. In any case, after hearing the songs, one gets a strong sense of being justified to have had zero expectations from the album!
First 30 seconds of 'Pehla Woh Pyaar' come so close to A.R. Rahman's 'Tu Hi Re' that one almost expects Kunal Ganjawala to repeat the same act. However, the similarity just ends here as the song takes on a different route altogether with Kunal rendering for the guy who is looking at going back in time and be with his first love. Seemingly an introspective song which should play in the film's background, 'Pehla Woh Pyaar' carries a sad feel to it. Still, it is the soft rock feel of the song which makes it a decent beginning to Sirf.
From a somber beginning, Sirf takes a peppy route with 'Life Peeche Peeche' which sounds like an advertisement jingle from it's very beginning. In fact, the more one hears this Shibani Kashyap song, the more it comes closer to being set for a commercial outing. A philosophical number about life and the desires which come along with it, 'Life Peeche Peeche' is an overall un-engaging number which doesn't help the cause of the album much and is at maximum restricted to pushing the film's narrative forward.
First duet of the album comes in the form of 'Ghar Tera Ghar Mera' which has Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal coming together. Set in a 70s mode with this young couple dreaming about creating an abode for themselves as they start living life together, 'Ghar Tera Ghar Mera' has a quintessential Bollywood feel to it. The song is easy to get on your lips though again not of the kind which makes you break the queue and be the first to grab the soundtrack of Sirf. Even though the song has a melodious appeal to it, it does carry a strong sense of deja vu which makes one look forward to what next in store!
Remember 'Zindagi Ki Yahi Reet Hai, Haar Ke Baad Hi Jeet Hai' from Mr. India? Same opening line is twisted a little for 'Zindagi Ki Kahani' which turns out to be an out and out boring number to hear. With below average arrangements and a tune which thoroughly drags, 'Zindagi Ki Kahani' by Kunal Ganjawala only aids in getting the pace of the album down further. Surprisingly, in spite of being the weakest of the lot so far, the song gets repeated towards the album's end with Pamela Jain giving Kunal some company.
Composer Sohail Sen himself comes behind the mike for 'Tujhpe Fida', a club track where he is joined by Tarannum. One thing is for sure after listening to the opening lines of 'Tujhpe Fida' - If at all Sohail wishes to be a part of the music world, he has to restrict himself to being behind the scenes rather than coming close to the mike. Though he tries to sound all drunk due to the song's setting where youngsters are seemingly having fun, he doesn't quite manage to get it right and isn't convincing at all. Even Tarannum is loud in her attempt to sound all charged up and in the process the song only goes further down the drain.
By the time 'Khel Jo Khele' begins, you know that it's a struggle in futility to be giving Sirf a hear. With Vinod Rathod at the helm, this song with Western arrangements is yet another boring tune which could well have been rejected by television soaps let aside finding a place in a movie's narrative. Reminding one of 'Ekka Chauka' [Ek Chalis Ki Last Local] which in fact was a far better composition, 'Khel Jo Khele' can hardly be given a second hearing.
Seemingly a track which may play during the opening credits of Sirf, 'Mumbai Nagariya' is an attempt at 'Hail Mumbai' drive. With KK crooning 'Salaam Aamchi Mumbai' with Tarannum for company, this is yet another situational track that doesn't come with any shelf life. Yet again, the song's arrangements are just about average which only gives a substandard feel to the soundtrack.
One can't say much about the film but it is only justified if the music company is not promoting the soundtrack of Sirf. It actually doesn't have any ammunition which would result in any respectable sales for the album. A forgettable experience.
