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.
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.
Last movie that Sohail Khan produced was Partner –> super hit music !!
Last movie Puneet Sira directed was Jai Veeru –> Few hit songs !!
Last movie music director Dabboo Malik [Anu Malik's brother] worked on was Kisse Pyaar Karoon & Team-The Force –> All super flops !!
Why did Dabboo Malik step into the hit combination of Sohail Khan & Puneet Sira is unknown to me.. But my expectations from the soundtrack of Kissan just took a plunge into cold water because of his presence…
Hum Tumhaare Hai Sanam & Kasoor are the only two hits in his career and that too ages ago. Why does he still keep getting work is something we will have to decide after we listen to the music of Kissan.
With a cast of the likes of Jackie, Arbaaz, Sohail, Dalip Tahil, gorgeous Dia Mirza & the cute Nauheed Cyrusi the expectations are high from the music of Kissan. Also, the topic of the movie caters to the majority population of India that is farmers. It thus needs to have a total traditional feel to the soundtrack with a lot of Punjabi influence so it can appeal to the millions of farmers working in their fields and have this playing on their radio sets in the background
Let’s find out what this 6 track album has in store for the international audience…
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Review
Track 1 – Punjabi Munde – This track implies a decent start to the album. It sounds like a number of Bollywood Punjabi tracks with a bit of english rap. The beat is almost similar to Sambhale from Ek-The Power of One but this one is better for sure as it is more catchy with the ”Punjabi Munde honde hain kamal” punch line. The difference is with the number of singers on this track. Labh Janjua, Shakti Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, Siddharth Singh, Parthiv Gohil, Earl D & Dabboo Malik himself give their voice but none of them stand out. It’s like a chorus throughout the song !! Nothing extra ordinary about the performances, lyrics [by S.R. Bharti & Kanwar Juneja] or composition of this song but I guess the video will decide if this song turns out to be a hit. 7/10 .
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Track 2 – Humko Rehna Hai – A typical Bollywood romantic song with stars running around in the fields in their traditional clothes.. mannn I can visualise the full thing…. Well the composition, instrumentation & arrangement of this song makes it easy to guess the sequence. The lyrics by Panchi Jalonvi are basic but conveys the message adequately. Shaan & Shreya Ghosal sound totally like villagers with their pronunciations & thus sweet in a way. It is not a hit song but not a bad one either. 5.5/10.
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Track 3 – Jhoomo Re Jhoomo – Yet another multi-singer number for a festive village scene. Ad Boyz, Abhijit Ghoshal, Tarranum, Sujata Majumdar, Pavni Pandey & Dabboo Malik sing the below average lyrics of Panchi Jalonvi. Althought this song is groovier than the Track 1 in many compositional & instrumentation ways it lacks decent performances by any of the singers in the huge list. This song can play well in Dandiya & garba parties but lacks overall commercial appeal. 6.5/10 .
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Track 4 – Neeche Sari Duniya – This might be the main title song of the movie & is with a religious twist. It describes farmers & the hard work they do in very suttle words penned by Salim Bijnori. What makes this song special are the vocals of Room Kumar Rathod. He is just the best for such thematic songs with his deep voice. He is supported by Harshdeep Kaur with the chants & harmonies. I love the instruments used & their arrangement in this song. Credits to Dabboo for that.. 7/10.
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Track 5 – Waqt Ki Dhoop – This is a short sad interlude for the intense dramatic scenes in the movie for the turning point in the script. Toshi sings this with determination in his voice as if he is feeling those emotions. Very well performed as you can feel the character. Lyrics by Panchi are good too. The music is basic but the chorus is deep & soulful. Short & nice.. 6.5/10 .
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Track 6 – Punjabi Munde (Remix) – We couldn’t have had a Bollywood soundtrack without a remix !! But frankly we could have done without this average ‘sounding like million other remixes’ track… Brother number 3 – Amal Malik is responsible for this. But at least this can now be used by DJ’s in desi wedding sets. 6/10 .
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FINAL WORD
Simply Average – 6/10.
Well I can at least say Dabboo Malik can continue to get work in the industry as he can do a decent job unlike many others. But when it comes to doing something new or producing hits, neither HE nor this album go a long way. It’s purely an average listen with no big numbers. Lyrics, music composition & all vocals sound similar to many others that you have heard before. All songs are purely situational with relevance in the movie & thus at least make sense & are not out of place. Buy this OST only if you have a thing for early 90′s Bollywood sound.
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.
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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