Yet another comedy with Akshay Kumar & ‘Remake Specialist’ director Priyadarshan. These two can’t seem to get enough of each other. Well they used to make a great team in the good ol days of Hera Pheri but recently they seemed to have lost it with movies like De Dana Dan that was beyond plain rubbish. Khatta Meetha seems to be rather fun where Akshay Kumar is a road contractor with the name “Sachin Tichkule” and thus this time the fun is on the corrupt government & diplomatic functioning of the Indian public sector departments. Based in Mumbai the Marathi angle is quite clear and Priyadarshan most commonly uses the music style of the city where the plot is based around. Also, common to Priyadarshan movies is the fun angle clearly evident in the songs. So I am expecting totally senseless, slapstick Marathi songs.. lol.. That doesn’t sound too good does it..? But let me assure you, Priyadarshan very un-commonly does surprise you at times as well. Let’s hope this is one of those times.
He has Pritam on his team yet again but with a new kid on the block named Shani. Last time their combo worked really well was not long ago with Marjani in Billu. This movie does not have the look of a big track but lets find out anyway what this 7 track OST have in store.
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REVIEW
Track 1 – Nana Chi Taang – It sounds like our dear Indian rapper U.R.L. kicks off this album with very good pronunciations for these Marathi lyrics written by Irshad Kamil. Kunal Ganjawala is back on a song working with Pritam that lacks class and flavour. I am quite disappointed with Pritam to open this OST with a below average composition like this. I know some Marathi and what the title means is “your grandfathers leg”.. that’s quite literally though!! It has the fun element but not really when you think about the fact that he is trying to impress a girl with these ‘heard before’ lyrics. Truly disappointing! 5/10.
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Track 2 – Sajde – Now this is a good typical Pritam romantic song that he gets right every time. You can never doubt Pritam’s calibre with Irshad’s lyrics when it comes to romantic songs. And on top of this when you get 2 of the best voices of K. K. and Sunidhi together it all comes alive. This song makes you see the video by just closing your eyes. Truly mesmerising and simply worth doing ‘Sajda’ of. 8/10.
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Track 3 – Bull Shit – Famous Pakistani pop singer Shehzad Roy features on this song and has even written the lyrics of this song. This is a really funny and truly expresses the currouption of the Indian politicians who could sell the country for a bit of money. The singing is true to the style of Shehzad and you can easily recognise him if you have heard any of his big musical hits. Speech within the song is another typical style of Shehzad and he delivers a fun song but it is not jaw dropping.. Music is my new name “Shani”. I am guessing he is probably the Pakistani pop singer and actor ‘Usman Shani’. His composition is good but average musically. 6.5/10.
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Track 4 – Aila Re Aila – Another Marathi influenced fun song.. but this time it truly is fun because Nitin Raikwar’s lyrics are cheeky & funny with amazingly powerful vocals of Mr. Daler Mehndi. He is just too good and can make you have fun even without any music. His voice and energy can just keep you going on the dance-floor. Kalpana Patowary’s vocals completely complement Daler’s vocals and credit is to Pritam to pick them for this song. Pritam’s music is very good too and has a place in Mumbai street parties. It appeals to the masses.. 7/10.
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Track 5 – Nana Chi Taang (Remix) – This is a good remix by Kiran Kamath but it is very difficult to like this song as a whole because of its below average lyrics and composition. But this remix is surely better than the original. 5.5/10.
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Track 6 – Sajde (Remix) – There is absolutely no need to remix this song and DJ A-Myth does not help the song in any way. The tempo is still the same rather with a reggae beat. I would surely credit him for trying to do a completely new job by recording new female vocals with Harshdeep Kaur but they don’t really work for me. Sunidhi compliments the lyrics and KK more. 6/10.
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Track 7 – Aila Re Aila (Remix) – Kiran Kamath has tried to do something with this remix which is frankly not very clear to me. I don’t really get what is going on in this remix. Probably I am too sleepy or bored or just plain inexperienced to evaluate this song. It sounds very confused with heavy keyboard synths for key bass and too many whistles. The original works better for me on this one. 5.5/10.
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FINAL WORD
Average – 6/10
Khatta Meetha OST does sound like a Priyadarshan movie soundtrack. It has the mix of fun and Marathi and romance but lacks innovation and songs that you would like to put on a repeat. Other than Sajde & Aila Re Aila all other songs are purely average and not even worth a second listen. All singers have performed well but the OST does not surprise you. Like I said.. Its not very common for Priyadarshan to surprise you. Let’s hope his next project gives us something more for the ears. I will not recommend for you to buy this album but surely do buy Sajde on the Internet and give it a repeat listen. Album on T-Series.
Producer Boney Kapoor & Director Satish Kaushik have passed through tsunamis and whirlwinds to finally get this movie to the screen after the media super hyped breakup of Shahid Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor. This movie started filming in 2004 and was originally set to release in 2005.. got delayed to release in 2007.. then 2008.. then 2009 & now finally 5 years later we see the trailer and hear the music of a movie that could have been a hit romantic of its time. Will Milenge Milenge, copy of Serendipity, work 5 years after filming in a market that has evolved ten fold..?? We gotta wait and watch.. but I really doubt it as it is not Avataar that took 10 years to make.. !!
5 years back a man named Himesh Reshammiya was at the top of the Bollywood music industry. It’s ironic or just plain good timing that Milenge Milenge comes around at a time when his own venture Kajraare is to hit the screens. This could be the return of the one and only Himesh with 2 big movies together on the shelves with his name.. But on the hind side.. it gives us the opportunity to compare his recent music from Kajraare with what he did 5 years ago for consistency & growth in his talent. Another big name at that time was of lyricist Sameer who had just done hit albums like Aksar & Aashiq Banaya Aapne with Himesh and thus the pair are working together here for Milenge Milenge.
Frankly, I am not really looking forward to hearing this album as it might just sound like the big tunes of Himesh from that period.. It’s like you have heard it all. But anyway, lets find out if they decided to update the OST to 2010..
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REVIEW
Track 1 – Kuch To Baaki Hai – Oh yeah.. hahaha.. It’s like sitting in a time machine and going back to 2005. Love It They definitely did not update the OST to 2010 music stye. This is so Himesh in 2005 when he was the icon. The perfect house beat and with a super deep bass line that I don’t remember hearing on a Himesh track. So that is definitely new for him. The lyrics are so-so with typical Himesh dance beat vocal style that he rose to fame for. This song would be a sure hit if it was in 2005. In 2010.. not sure.. Will I play it in a party..? Maybe.. Maybe Not !
7/10 for making me feel 5 years younger
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Track 2 – Milenge Milenge – Good to hear Alka Yagnik’s voice in a grade 1 Bollywood movie after a long time but sounding confident from her hits time of 2005. The composition & style is unique that can work even today on radio. But the fact that it has Alka Yagnik & Jayesh Gandhi who was a hit from 2003-06 in most Himesh albums makes this song sound backdated. I don’t buy the lyrics of this title song & think it could have been better. 6.5/10.
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Track 3 – Tum Chain Ho – This is after a really long time I have heard 2 brilliant singers – Sonu Nigam & Alka Yagnik together on a 4 minute stretch. This song is soothing, romantic and surely with really good lyrics. The voices do the trick here and thus Himesh has decided to keep the music simple making this my favourite song so far. 7.5/10.
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Track 4 – Ishq Ki Gali – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had just about stepped into Bollywood land around 2004-05 with massive hits on Paap & Kalyug. This sound wouldn’t have been a hit then nor will it be one now. It is patent, standard, lacks creativity on the composition & arrangement with boring lyrics and even lacks good vocal performances by Rahat & Jayesh. Truly an average song. 5/10.
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Track 5 – Hare Kanch Ki Chuddiyan – So very Bollywood !! But this one sounds older than even 2005.. it’s like a late 90′s song in the voice of Alka Yagnik. I can’t imagine this being filmed on Kareena. It would look so rubbish. Lyrics are a dud and the composition is purely average. Alka’s singing is the only thing that works in this song. 5/10.
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Track 6 – Milenge Milenge – Never seen an album to have 2 songs with the exact same name with different singers that sound decades apart. I will have to praise Himesh for that. Kudos to him. But his singing doesn’t sound anything like him. I am quite shocked to discover it is him with Shreya Ghoshal. This version is rather modern & sounds a lot different with the same title flavour. It is surely better than track 2. 7/10.
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Track 7 – Kuch To Baaki Hai (Remix) – Himesh’s favourite DJ Lloyd & Discreet do a fab job on this track. It’s to be noted that the original is a dance version itself so they did not have to do much except for add a really funky digital bass which works perfectly with this song. So good choice by them. It’s upbeat, fun and a good dance number. 7/10.
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Track 8 – Ishq Ki Gali (Remix) – I really did not like the original and thought Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had been wasted on this track.. Now I think he has been wasted further on a bhangra version of a qawalli type song. DJ Lloyd got a little too extra creative now. But in a way it does sound better than the original & it is bare able. 5.5/10.
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Track 9 – Tum Chain Ho (Unplugged) – As if Sonu & Alka had not created enough magic with this song !! Vineeet Singh is fantastic and this is by far the best song on the album.. Or by far one of best romantic songs I have heard this year. It’s perfect vocally with a really good composition. The acoustic guitar works brilliantly with Vineet’s voice and it has been beautifully played & more importantly recorded brilliantly. A must listen as it gives you the true taste of Bollywood with the amount of talent India has in every aspect of music. 8.5/10.
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Track 10 – Kuch To Baaki Hai (Bright Mix) – The 3rd rendition of this song still sounds fresh and is almost an acoustic version with vocal classical percussionby Vineet Singh. It just sounds very fresh and different and you get to feel the true vocal talent of Himesh. I kinda prefer this version to any of the above and I guess so will you. The deep electrical bass in the background is something really worth noticing. It’s really cool. 8/10.
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FINAL WORD
Above Average – 6.5/10
It really doesn’t sound like they have updated the soundtrack to match the 2010 music scene but it surely is much better than what I really expected this 2005 OST to sound like. It surely would have been a chart hit if it did release in 2005 as Himesh was still at the top and everything he put out just worked. He surely has the music talent and knows how to surprise you with some brilliant work. Tum Chain Ho is the song to watch here that is timeless and will work even today. Kuch to Baki Hai is fun and can work in the clubs in India if carefully plugged in. In the UK market I doubt any of them will work. But nonetheless, if you are a Bollywood music junkie then you will still enjoy these songs. The other songs.. not so much. Vineet Singh rocks. Check him out for sure.. OST available on T-Series.
LAMHAA sounds like a beautiful & action packed project. It is the return of a team that has remained inactive for a while now (ranging from 3-5 years). National award winner Rahul Dholakia hasn’t worked on a project ever since his acclaimed work in Parzania which was a super gorgeous movie (that is if you have a taste for off-beat movies that are not mainstream). Thus I am guessing this man must have written a stunner in the last 3 years with Lamhaa. He has direceted this as well. We are from the same college by the way
Bunty Walia who made some big hits like Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya in the late 90′s early 2000′s is producing a movie after 5 years. So I guess Lamhaa must have got him excited. For a movie with a cast like Sanjay Dutt, Kunal Kapoor, Bipasha Basu & Anupam Kher you wouldn’t imagine what to expect. That truly is an odd mix of some really good actors!!
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But on the music side, I pretty much know what to expect. For a movie based in Kashmir that talks about the political, military & militant setup of the state the music score would definitely not be glamorous. But it surely will be good as it is the return of Mithoon after 3 years who has made music of movies like Bas Ek Pal & Aggar. You definitely love those and the lyrics of Sayeed Qadri who wrote some of the best songs for movies like Raaz 2 and Jannat. Lets see if this return of some of the best guys in the industry gives us some buzz in this 6 track album.
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REVIEW
Track 1 – Madno – Madno == Lover, my dear. Now that you know the meaning of the first word, try and get the lyrics of the full song. You will instantly like this song as it will put you to ease of mind and soul. A simple beautiful composition with brilliant folk Kashmiri instrumentation by Mithun. The Sufiana singing style of new comer Kshitij Tarey reminds you of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan every second but at the same time Kshitij makes his own mark. Chinmayi sounds soulful like her previous work in the movie Guru. This is just better. And what can I say about Sayeed’s lyrics. awwwwww.. just awwww.. There is even a full Kashmiri verse in the song!! Mithoon, Kshitij, chinmayi & Sayeed create magic together. A top song. 8.5/10 for this 8:30 mins long song.
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Track 2 – Salaam Zindagi – The title ‘Salaam Zindagi’ sounds like a cliche & inspired by a couple of Rahman patriotic compositions. It still evolves and presents a different flavour unique in a number of ways. It is very ambient and classical in parts. Mithoon’s composition & instrumental arrangement is something to learn from if you are a composer. Arun Daga & Mohd. Irfan’s vocals make you wanna stand up & salute life. The ambient texture to this song mainly comes from their voices that is powerful & yet soulful. The lyrics are not brilliant but work for this song. A good song overall. 7.5/10.
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Track 3 – Main Kaun Hoon – “Main hun banjaara apni hi zameen pe.. Main Kaun hoon.. Kyun apne jahan me.. main hun ajnabee..” The lyrics of this song are by Amitabh Varma and they are stunning if you listen to them carefully. It truly depicts the situation in Kashmir and the dilemma that has become the life of every Kashmiri in a 7 minute song. Truly genius.. The composition by Mithoon is not brilliant but check out the break at 4:50 into the song. It’s instrumentation & recording is eccentric. On top of that what can I say about our rock star singer.. Dr. Palash Sen. He sings in a withheld singing style & perfectly sounds like a person lost in dilemma. I like this one. 8/10 for the lyrics & singing.
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Track 4 – Saajnaa – You won’t believe who is singing this song!!! It’s our punjabi rec-loose superstar Mika. You just won’t believe how different & exotic he sounds in this totally Urdu rendition of the song Madno. He proves his versatility & classical abilities. The song is exactly same as Madno with same lyrics & music composition. Chinmayi’s part is same as well.. but you have to listen to this for Mika & Mika alone.. ! 8/10.
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Track 5 – Zameen-O-Aasmaa – Kshitij Tarey goes solo on this emotional song as a man talks to God asking him to come down to this world to see the hatred & injustice prevalent in this world. It’s almost an acoustic song for the first half with piano and a classic violin orchestra. Mithoon’s recording techniques, composition & instrumentation are terrific & I can go on raving about them. Very good lyrics by Sayeed that can almost make you cry. Touching & heart wrenching. 7.5/10.
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Tack 6 – Rehmat Zara – Am so glad they decided to put this song as the last track on the album. I would be totally turned off if this was earlier in this classic album. Mithoon decides to get on the mic himself with Mohd. Irfan and this is nothing special. Although their singing is not bad at all, this song lacks style, uniqueness & consistency. The composition is not great nor are the lyrics. This to me is an average song at this stage as it is very situational. It probably makes more sense in the movie. 6/10.
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FINAL WORD
Very Good – 7.5/10
For the young UK audience this album does not pack a punch with the big hits that we usually like to hear. But this album can we an instant hit with the first & second generation listeners. Even for the young audience, if you understand a little bit of Urdu & have any interest in music from different parts of India, you will love this OST. The music by Mithoon is brilliant. This is what I call a come back. Sayeed Qadri was here & still rules with his lyrics. The OST completely complements the Kashmiri flavour of the movie & thus shows are amount of research and talent that went in this project by the music team. Dim the lights, close your eyes and enjoy the “Lamhaa“. OST on T-Series.
There is not going to be much to talk here I guess. Here is the off screen story…
I am guessing Mahesh Bhatt wrote another crap story.. daughter Pooja Bhatt found that attractive but could not find director to direct it.. So she had to do it herself to keep her millionaire dad happy. But then she could not find a actor or music director. So bumped into Mr. Himesh Reshammiya who agreed to compose the music only if he was allowed to act after his string of massive flops and also sing every damn song on the album… Out of choice the poor girl had to agree to that But then no label was ready to buy the OST so T-Series said we will buy it only if we can also be the producers & have Kishan & Bhushan Kumar’s name on there to make a little money that this movie will make on the whole.. So what we finally get is a very small group of people involved which includes the Bhatts, Mr. Reshammiya & the Kumar’s. Finally, they add a debutant beauty Mona Laizza for eye candy and we get KAJRAARE !!
Like my short story..? Don’t worry if you don’t.. See if you can like the trailer instead.. He is a lawyer.. she is a prostitute and they are in the desert..??? Kudos Mahesh & Pooja.. You sure can visualise with creativity!
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But this article is not about the Bhatt’s but the long hair dude Himesh & his creativity who delivered some massive hits in his hay days.. but only delivers flops recently like his last movie Radio. Never heard of it..? well that’s because it never even made it on the “radio”.. lol
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REVIEW
Track 1 – Kajra Kajra Kajraare – A nice soothing harmony by Sunidhi Chauhan with an electro bass sets off this song to a good start untill the english “cool” lyrics set in asking you to “Move it” & “Bring it down” to a rather slow 88 BPM song !! Well anyway.. it’s good to hear Himesh’s voice after a long time. He surely is unique in his style but the song or the lyrics by Sameer do not thrill. There is one thing though.. If you listen to it a few times it will grow on you & you will find yourself humming.. Thus I got to give it some credit.. 6.5/10.
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Track 2 – Rabba Luck Barsa – Another harmonic start but this time in Himesh’s voice. This song can boast of some good instrumental work. But what really makes this track special is a voice over by Mr. Mahesh Bhatt himself. The VO & the lyrics are deep, sensible and romantic in every sense. Himesh delivers some better high pitch vocals like some of his previous work.. viz. Karz. 7/10.
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Track 3 – Aafreen – I will give a lot of credit to Himesh for using Santoor & Sarangi in a Bollywood song after a very long time with a decent dholki beat and acoustic guitar. It reminds you of what Bollywood music used to be in the early 90′s. Purely in the Ghazal style, this song can boast of very good lyrics and some phenomenal singing by Himesh. I could never imagine he could do something as classical & authentic like this. I am glad to say.. Himesh has still got it in him & can pull originality out of his socks. This is a must listen for a calm candel-light romantic evening. Also check out the vocals of Harshdeep Kaur in the final verse. It’s wicked.. 8/10.
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Track 4 – Tujhe Dekh Ke Armaan Jaage – Himesh decides to finally work with the desert feel as in the trailer with pure Rajasthani folk start to this song. He then decides to maintain the folk vocal style but to a funkier slow beat which sounds very cliche. This song will remind of you of so many different songs in so many different ways. I suggest fast forward to 2:10 into the song & listen to the rubab instrumental solo and then Shreya’s vocals that save the song for me. 6/10.
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Track 5 – Teriyan Meriyan – Another slow romantic instrumental number consistent with the top 4 which would almost help classify this soundtrack as a Bollywood lounge album. There is something about this song which is different & I quite like it. I don’t know why. It has a unique lyrical pattern with santoor as the primary instrument with good vocals by Himesh & Shreya Ghoshal with a cute Punjabi touch. I guess that’s what it is. I just like it.. Do you to? 7.5/10.
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Track 6 – Woh Lamha Phir Se Jeena Hai – Finally Himesh does disappoint with his composition! The music, lyrics and arrangement of this song just don’t work along with each other for me. It lacks everything that you need to make a decent song.. But then Harshdeep Kaur steps in.. renders some very good vocals.. If Himesh could just step back for atleast one song !! Too much to ask I guess.. 5/10 just because of Harshdeep Kaur’s vocals else it would be a 4/10.
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Track 7 – Sanu Guzara Zamana – A classical romantic number then comes in after a rhythm breaker Track 6.. and it is quite refreshing & soothing in every way. I will recommend this song to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan fans. It has the Pakistani music style which works very well because Himesh renders it beautifully keeping it very simple. Listen to the lyrics carefully to thoroughly enjoy this song. 8/10.
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Track 8 – Kajra Kajra Kajraare (Party Mix) -Never heard their name before.. so let me introduce DJ Lloyd and Discreet. I can’t blame them for the delivery of a shaab mix. I am a DJ myself .. but the purpose of this mix is unclear to me other than an album filler. Please skip as this mix lacks character.. 4.5/10.
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Track 9 – Rabba Luck Barsa (Party Mix) - Now this is a good mix. It’s fun and definitely worth calling a party mix. I can imagine hearing this in clubs as dance floor warmer at the start of a party. It has new music elements that fit in well with the layout of the song. Well done DJ Lloyd & Discreet. Who is discreet by the way..? 6.5/10.
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Track 10 – Woh Lamha Phir Se Jeena Hai (Party Mix) – AlthoughI hate the original, this mix sounds better. For once the purpose of a mix is clear when it does make a song better. But frankly this mix is nothing special. It is purely average for a otherwise crap song. 5/10.
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Track 11 – Sanu Guzara Zamana (Lounge Mix) – Love this mix but not as much as the original as it lacks the creative element. DJ Lloyd has used a very standard lounge mix beat pattern. But the lyrics & vocals on this song can make any music on it sound good. A definite recommend for weddings background music. 7.5/10.
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Final Word
Good – 6.5/10
The overall album is much better than what I expected it to be. Himesh surely still has it in him and is excellent on the microphone in some of the songs. There is some very good use of instrumentals reviving traditional Indian instruments & thus makes it different. Certain compositional styles are retro but beautiful. Himesh has tried to step away from what he made his mark as with the dance beats & House music tunes. He is consistent throughout the album with a single romantic slow style of music. That does become a disadvantage as the album lacks variety. It’s versatile for sure.. but only in the Indian classical domain.
Although vocally good.. there is just too much of Himesh in the album. In the movie it makes sense as Himesh is the actor & all songs won’t be together. But when listening to the OST as a whole.. it becomes a lil too much. ‘Aafreen’, ‘Teriyan Meriyan’ and ‘Sanu Guzara Zamana’ are my pics of the album. A good listen for those romantic at heart. Album available on T-Series.
Track 7 – Aila Re Aila (Remix) – Kiran Kamath has tried to do something with this remix which is frankly not very clear to me. I don’t really get what is going on in this remix. Probably I am too sleepy or bored or just plain inexperienced to evaluate this song. It sounds very confused with heavy keyboard synths for key bass and too many whistles. The original works better for me on this one. 5.5/10.
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They definitely did not update the OST to 2010 music stye. This is so Himesh in 2005 when he was the icon. The perfect house beat and with a super deep bass line that I don’t remember hearing on a Himesh track. So that is definitely new for him. The lyrics are so-so with typical Himesh dance beat vocal style that he rose to fame for. This song would be a sure hit if it was in 2005. In 2010.. not sure.. Will I play it in a party..? Maybe.. Maybe Not !
Track 9 – Tum Chain Ho (Unplugged) – As if Sonu & Alka had not created enough magic with this song !! Vineeet Singh is fantastic and this is by far the best song on the album.. Or by far one of best romantic songs I have heard this year. It’s perfect vocally with a really good composition. The acoustic guitar works brilliantly with Vineet’s voice and it has been beautifully played & more importantly recorded brilliantly. A must listen as it gives you the true taste of Bollywood with the amount of talent India has in every aspect of music. 
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But then no label was ready to buy the OST so T-Series said we will buy it only if we can also be the producers & have Kishan & Bhushan Kumar’s name on there to make a little money that this movie will make on the whole.. So what we finally get is a very small group of people involved which includes the Bhatts, Mr. Reshammiya & the Kumar’s. Finally, they add a debutant beauty Mona Laizza for eye candy and we get KAJRAARE !!
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