Vicky Donor Review {2.5/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
One expects an 'item driven' soundtrack in Vicky Donor. The kind which would be stand alone pieces included in the album as dance numbers which could have found an entry into any other film irrespective of genre. Since the film doesn't quite boast of a conventional storyline, one is also ready for some surprises to be thrown around, more so because there is a new composer duo roped in the form of Abhishek-Akshay with Rochak Kohli, Ayushmann Khurrana, Donn & Bann chipping in as well. An assorted set of lyricists get together as well, hence raising further expectations of a young outing
MUSIC
Akshay Verma is the lyricist as well as singer for 'Rokda' which gives an impression of a riotous outing but instead turns out to be a fun setting that could well have been placed in a college campus. A situational track about the value of money and how it drives the show, it is a rather unconventional start for the album and doesn't quite make you jump with joy despite an inherent sincerity that it carries. Composed by Abhishek-Akshay with Aditi Singh Sharma being heard in a voiceover as well, the song is decent though one did expect something far more striking to begin proceedings.
Thankfully that is the case with 'Kho Jaane', which though belonging to the same mode as 'Rokda' in terms of its overall architecture, still goes well with repeat hearing. A sweet and simple song written by Juhi Chaturvedi that has Clinton Cerejo and Aditi Singh Sharma coming together for the composer duo of Abhishek-Akshay, 'Kho Jaane' is a love song that should do well for a montage sequence and has a young feel to it. Though not the kind that would end up being a chartbuster, especially since the film is not a romantic musical, it at least manages to keep your interest level alive.
The song that makes you instantly get into the foot tapping zone is 'Rum Whisky' which is everything from 'Chak De Phatte' (Khosla Ka Ghosla) to 'Saddi Gali' (Tanu Weds Manu), hence ensuring that the cocktail is intoxicating enough to be picked up and gulped in one go. Abhishek-Akshay are at play all over again with Akshay modulating his voice in a huge way here (he sounds totally different from 'Rokda') and Kusum Verma ensuring that the song stands out as a homage of sorts for the lovers of 'rum and whiskey'. A song that would manage to stay on beyond the run of the film, expect it to play in weddings and celebrations, especially up North.
With the album showing a gradual rise in content and acceptability factor, there is a huge surprise in the offering with 'Pani Da Rang' arriving next. Ayushmann Khurrana is the singer, co-lyricist & co-composer here (with Rochak Kohli) and gives a very good account of himself. The song has melody to the core of it, is a good fusion of folk and Western arrangements, boasts of heartfelt lyrics and most importantly is sung quite well, hence turning out to be a highlight of the album. The song is repeated with Sukanya Purkayastha being heard for the female version and she does well too. However one is tempted to go back to the male version as it is just the kind that Pakistani pop is made for and Ayushmann pretty much fits the bill.
Another good song to follow is a composition by new-finds Donn & Bann who come up with a superb first song in their Bollywood career (unless they called themselves by some other names earlier). A soft rock song with a touch of Sufi to it, 'Mar Jayian' is a smash song that deserves to be heard. In fact one can pretty much confirm that if only it would have featured in a film belonging to an established young star like a Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor or an Imran Khan, it would have been hammered on all music channels for now and gathered good steam.
No wonder, the song has notable lyricist like Swanand Kirkire collaborating with singers Vishal Dadlani and Sunidhi Chauhan here. The song later also arrives in a sad version here and it is to the credit of Bann here who sings it with a lot of attitude, hence never forcing on the listener a sad outing.
With such soulful mood being created, one is a tad distracted with a situational track 'Chaddha' that is written by Vijay Maurya. Expected to play at various points in the film's narrative whenever Doctor Chadha (played by Annu Kapoor) gets into one is his numerous escapades, it is a 'desi' outing by Mika with Abhishek-Akshay as the composers that does well for the film's mood and should also appeal courtesy some engaging visuals. However as a standalone song there are still better options available in the album.
OVERALL
Music of Vicky Donor turns out to be better than expected. Even though there is a mandatory 'bhangra' number 'Rum Whiskey' to take care of the album from commercial standpoint, it is songs like 'Mar Jayian' and 'Pani Da Rang' which are indeed the pick of the lot. However one now waits to see the kind of popularity that these songs indeed manage for themselves since they would mainly get noticed once the film is running in theaters. If the film clicks commercially, there are better chances of soundtrack getting its deserving audience as well.
OUR PICK(S)
Mar Jayian, Pani Da Rang, Rum Whisky
