DJ Munks.com

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Sajid Nadiadwala is back after kind of a flop movie earlier this year in Housefull. Even though Housefull did well with its collections at the box office it still was a terrible movie.. But now he has teamed up with director Siddharth Anand who has made hit modern romance movies like Bachna Ae Haseeno, Salaam Namaste and Ta Ra Rum Pum. Thus Anjaana Anjaani could turn things around for Sajid with a hit that would be even appreciated by the audiences. The trailer looks like it could do the trick with super talented Ranbir Kapoor and super hot Priyanka Chopra leading the way.

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Vishal Shekhar have already had a big musical hit this year with I Hate Luv Storys and so the expectations are really high on the musical front for something new and different. They surely have the calibre and Vishal’s voice to create some magic… but what scares me is looking at the list of lyricists involved here for a total of 9 songs. Does it give a music director & the movie director variety with the songs or makes it difficult to get the right sound with the inconsistency? Let us listen and find out..

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Anjaana Anjaani Ki Kahani – The title song is definitely new not similar to anything that I think I have heard before. Although the start seems a little disappointing with English lyrics, the chorus is very catchy and you will instantly like it. It has the big sound with a full band including elements of rock, dance and brass. It is an upbeat song and will work well in the international circuit on radio stations and Bollywood dance parties… that is the beauty of Vishal-Shekhar’s composition! Lyrics by Neelesh Misra are average but modern and fun. We first heard singer Nikhil D’souza on the song Sham in the movie Aisha and we loved him. Knew he had a long way to go and here he is opening Vishal-Shekhar’s big budget movie with Monali Thakur supporting him on the female vocals. 7/10 for all the fun this song projects.

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Track 2 – Hairat – Vishal-Shekhar show how mature their music is with a modern global audience appeal. The music of this song could easily be used on a big budget Hollywood movie OST in the background of a suspense thriller.. with English lyrics ofcourse. But here Vishal shows not just how mature his music is but also his lyrics are. The wording and rhymes are perfect and the work of a pro. ‘Long time hiding’ but ‘never forgotten’ singer Lucky Ali delivers a performance to remember. His voice texture brings a different energy and flavour to the song. Love this song as the perfect high speed drive song. 7.5/10.

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Track 3 – Aas Paas Khuda – An OST for a romantic movie would be incomplete without Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice.. His Sufiana voice works magically on your listening senses. Although this is nothing compared to his other hits but it has it’s own feel. What doesn’t work too well here is the composition of the song. It is outdated and not unique. The instrumentation is average too. Saving the day a little are Vishal & Shekhar’s lyrics which too are not the best. 6/10.

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Track 4 – Tumse Hi Tumse – Three lyricists on this song!! Amitabh Bhattacharya & Anvitta Dutt have written the main lyrics while Shekhar sings it for them. Caralisa Monteiro has written and sung the English lyrics. I really like the vocals and lyrics of this song but the song doesn’t click for me overall.. and that is because of the arrangement. The rock instrumentation is something that I am not sure about was the best musical fit. Well that is just my opinion but something doesn’t make this song click and it becomes an average song. 6.5/10.

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Track 5 – Tujhe Bhula Diya – The start of this song is mesmerising with Shruti Pathaks voice and some innovative guitar strumming. What a come back on the composition and arrangement tactics! Fantastic and truly brilliant!! The bits of Qawalli thrown in on the bridge comes in beautifully.. especially after acoustic main stanzas. The music shifts into three different arrangements seamlessly with excellent classical instrumentation. The Punjabi lyrics at the start followed by the main lyrics are the work of Kumaar and Vishal himself again. They are very good and singer Mohit Chauhan’s harmonic vocals forces you to take notice of them. An overall great song.. 8/10.

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Track 6 – I Feel Good – This is a Vishal Dadlani song with his vocals, his lyrics and his music. Shilpa Rao who recently delivered a mind blowing performance in the song Nain Parindey in Lafangey Parindey joins Vishal on the vocals. Her presence helps but not much.. this is still an average song with another rock English lyrics song. The guitar solos in the bridge make it better but not enough. Only thing worth noticing is Shilpa Rao’s work who usually sings classical song and now delivers a rock chick song. 6.5/10.

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Track 7 – Anjaana Anjaani – This song starts off with very soothing music with ambient flutes and Shilpa Rao’s deep voice on the vocals with Vishal accompanying her again. The they do work well together and you can appreciate the pair as you hear them together in more songs. I love the lyrics by Kausar Munir & Irshad Kamil. Musically it is very well mixed and arranged with lounge taking on rock in the chorus. Innovative but this song needs to be heard a little too many times for it to grow on you. 7/10.

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Track 8 – Tujhe Bhula Diya (Remix) – The only remix on the album is by Abhijit Vaghani who has done an excellent job of making this great song a little different & upbeat. He has given it a twist with a piano melody and a trance feel. He has still managed to keep the traditional elements including a harmonium solo which goes almost dry without a beat which is very brave to play on a trance dance floor. Respect to this mix.. 8/10.

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Track 9 – Aas Paas Khuda (Unplugged) – So I guess I was right with the fact that the musical composition wasn’t working for the original song above. When you hear this unplugged version it sounds totally different and you really appreciate the beauty of it. What you appreciate more is the beauty of voices.. and this includes a feature by Shruti Pathak. Fantastic version! 7/10.

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FINAL WORD

Above Average – 7/10

Anjaana Anjaani has no bad song and no really good song. It is a bunch of average and above average songs with Tujhe Bhula Diya & Hairat being my favourite songs that truly stand out. Title song Anjaana Anjaani Ki Kahani is catchy and different too but not stunning. Is it the influence of too many lyricists? I don’t think so.. I think it is a Siddharth Anand thing. He usually has a couple of big songs in his movies with other average songs that don’t fight for too much attention. Maybe it is his weird strategy of his or just plain bad luck! Vishal-Shekhar do an decently good job like they always do but the influence of Vishal’s rock background is truly evident and maybe overused. Overall I would still recommend you buy this album as a whole. OST available on T-Series.

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Dharma, Sony and UTV Motion pictures come together for Mr. Karan Johar to do a remake of Stepmom!! Why why why..! Lol.. I am only kidding. I do understand that really good English movies don’t quite reach Indian villages and the people who don’t speak English, but then this movie is nearly worthless for the International Bollywood fans. Thus for the UK Bollywood fans all there is left to see in We Are Family are the performances of Kajol, Kareena and Arjun Ramphal with debutant director Siddharth Malhotra’s vision.

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“Ain’t no mountain high.. ain’t no valley low.. ain’t no river wide enough baby..

If you need me call me.. no matter where you are .. no matter how far.. no problem baby”

We don’t have Marvin Gaye in We Are Family but we certainly do have the best of Shankar Ehsaan Loy on the music with Irshad Kamil and Anvit Dutt writing the lyrics. What I am curious to find out if the OST of We are Family has any inspirations from the Stepmom OST as that truly is some soundtrack. Let us hit play and find out what this 10 track album has in store.. (last 4 songs are bonus songs so lets check out the first 6 for We are Family)

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Track 1 – Aankhon Mein Neendein – The song opens with what you would imagine coming out of the Aisha soundtrack with serious similarities until Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Shreya Ghoshal’s soulful voices fill your ears. The arrangement of the song is catchy at the start but then goes into sounding like an average Bollywood song. Some good instruments used like the mouth organ solo. The overall music feel of the song is similar to the sounds of Kal Ho Na Ho and Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and thus lacks true identity. The lyrics by Irshad Kamil are pretty complicated and not that you will pick up on your first listen except for the chorus.. and thus it will take a couple of listens to start liking this song. 7/10.

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Track 2 – Dil Khol Ke Let’s Rock – Elvis would probably kill himself if he listens to this. Sure it is not bad for Bollywood but this song is suicide in the international markets. Totally inspired by Jailhouse Rock and written by Anvita Dutt is what is playing the most of TV these days.. but I am still to develop a liking for this song. The Dholki twist in the bridge of the song is pretty cool but overall the song fails to impress musically and lyrically. Even the vocal performances by Akriti Kakkar, Anushka Manchanda & Suraj Jagan are purely average. 5/10.

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Track 3 – Reham O Karam – This song comes as a surprise after an average and a nearly average song. Pure Shankar Mahadevan vocals can blow anyone away. They are just perfect and can swing your mood and calm your nerves within a minute of listening. This is what you call God gifted talent!! Vishal Dadlani has been singing a number of really good songs and seems to be promoting himself as a singer now and not just a music director.. he is singing for his competition music directors now! Good for him.. and for us since this song is something else. They lyrics by Irshad are very good but not catchy again. The music is nearly not there and is not required as Shankar fills up all the airwaves but when there is then it is with the rock theme with some exciting orchestration and electric guitars. Must & totally recommended listen. 8/10.

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Track 4 – Hamesha & Forever – Sonu starts off this song with some good piano work and harmonic chorus. The mastering could be off in this song as the music seems to sound louder than his vocals. So technically not the best. Again with the lyrics.. the beauty of words comes across through long phrases rather than rhyming words and thus misses the real click that usually works with the audiences. It’s a decently good song overall but I won’t recommend it. SEL (Shankar Eshaan Loy) seem to be loosing it with what really works with their listeners. 6/10.

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Track 5 – Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasman – Bela Shende is a name that has come up after a long time after Jodhaa Akhbar & Paheli. She does another acoustic song to piano which actually sounds really good as far as the music arrangement and her vocals are concerned. The lyrics for a change do work! The sad feel of the song is very situational and I guess works in the background in the movie when she about to die. 7/10.

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Track 6 – We Are Family Theme – Well now we know why there is excessive use of piano throughout all the songs in this movie since it is part of the theme. This is where SEL excel.. in creating good theme musics for situational movies. They never fail to impress in this category and this could well win them an award in the music department.. Musically this song is that good.. Check it out. 8/10.

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Track 7 – Noor E Khuda – Bonus Track from the movie ‘My Name is Khan‘.

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Track 8 – Aaj Kal Zindagi – Bonus Track from the movie ‘Wake Up Sid‘.

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Track 9 – Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehan – Bonus Track from the movie ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna‘.

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Track 10 – Kal Ho Naa Ho – Bonus Track from the movie ‘Kal Ho Naa Ho‘.

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FINAL WORD

Above Average – 6.5/10

Just a little above average for this OST because of the disappointment that it brought along.. With names like SEL, Irshad Kamil & Karan Johar I was expecting this to be something new that would thrill. But every song is almost predictable with SEL deciding to play safe all across the OST with nothing new in the CD players. No big track to hit the dance floors and all they could come up with was a copy of Jailhouse Rock. The lyrics are good but they don’t click. The vocals are good but fail to totally impress except really good vocals in Reham O Karam and Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasman. hus I won’t recommend you buying this OST but surely get the above two songs. Music on Sony Music.

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On the occasion of Eid Arbaaz Khan has started his own production company with wife Malaika Arora Khan under the banner Arbaaz Khan Productions and out comes their first movie with brother Salman Khan and debutant director Abhinav Kashyap who has also written the story of DABANGG. Dabangg seems to be a jolly good movie similar in some aspects to Salman’s last years hit Wanted but with a funny side to it where he is a corrupt police officer but savior of the poor and thus goes by the name Robinhood Pandey!

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Dabangg Trailer

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Dabangg has a really big cast including the likes of Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia, Anupam Kher, Om Puri, Mahie Gill and producers Arbaaz Khan & Malika Arora themselves amongst others. They also have new girl Sonakshi Sinha on the block in the lead role. We’ll have to wait to see how good she is on the screen.. And to support a multi starer movie like this Salman Khan decides to bring his favourite music duo Sajid-Wajid on the job who have done his recent movies including Veer and Wanted. Supporting them with their hand written lyrics are Jalees Sherwani who does most of Salman’s movies, Faaiz Anwar who has written some amazing music like Jab We Met and Lalit Pandit on a song too. So we have a handful of people contributing to this album. To say the least it is a music multi-starrer!

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Tere Mast Mast Do Nain – Start off with one of my favourite singers in the current crop who takes classical to the next level right in the first 30 seconds.. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sings Faaiz Anwar’s lyrics to a catchy classical composition by Sajid-Walid. The instrumentation and feel of the song is purely simple like many other Rahat songs but that’s what we love anyway.. don’t we? It is still different in many ways with some really good vocal harmonies to check out. Very romantic and works very well for Bollywood music lovers in the UK. It is perfect for an evening radio listen. 7.5/10.

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Track 2 – Munni Badnaam – A typical bad boy at a drunken village girl dancer feast song.. If this is confusing then think Bedi Jalayle or Babuji Zara Dheere Chalo and you will know what I am talking about. Mamta Sharma sings to the lyrics and music by Lalit Pandit. A total carefree fun song with some really crazy lyrics.. not the kind I have ever heard anything similar to before. Very crude but funny.. just a total classic in many aspects.. “Item ye aam hui tere liye.. Mein Jhandu Baam hui darling tere liye..” You will hate it on the first listen thinking what rubbish is this .. But then listen to it a couple of times and sample the video on a music channel to see Malaika Arora looking super sexy and you will start loving this total party number.. ! Can’t wait to play this song in my next party. Definite dance floor burner.. 7.5/10.

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Track 3 – Chori Kiya Re Jiya – Two soulful voices of Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal can come togerther only for a really good romantic song.. and this is the one..! A blend of traditional village hindi with modern singing & lyrics style gives this song a different texture. Sajid-Wajid give it a modern acoustic guitar feel with a simple 2 x 2 beat. Jalees Sherwani keeps the flow of his pen very smooth and so the lyrics are just perfect for such a song. The only thing this song lacks is that extra special touch to make it listenable on a repeat. So I would classify it as an average song. 6.5/10.

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Track 4 – Hud Hud Dabangg – Talk about extra special touch and this song has it.. A clear differentiator the moment you hear the first line and its composition. Never heard anything like this before with some really innovative lyrics by Jalees and a genius composition by Sajid-Wajid with extra-ordinary traditional instrumentation touch. Cant hear a single modern instrument in there even though I am sure they used a few at least. But the best part of this song is Sukhwinder Singh’s vocal rendition. I would give him an award for the best singer this year without a second consideration for this song. Check it out and you will agree. 9/10.

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Track 5 – Humka Peeni Hai – Wajid takes on the mike himself with our UK boy Mater Saleem and Shabaab Sabri for another classic village style fun song this time with a drunken theme on a all men party. And guess what it works.. The use of Harmonium with Dholki and Matki on a digital beat is totally fearless by Sajid-Walid that gives you a really different texture to the melody of the song. The beat is soo cool that your feet and shoulders will move automatically. So let it go and enjoy Jalees Sherwani’s exciting lyrical party. When listening to this song you can’t help but feel the excitement and fun in the song that takes you to the scene of a village party. Brilliant. 8/10.

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Track 6 – Tere Mast Mast Do Nain (Duet) – This is just track 1 on a repeat but this time with Shreya Ghoshal taking over the mike for some of the lyrics. She does an excellent job like she normally does so no complaints. I kind of like the duet more than just Rahat’s solo version as it gives more depth to the feelings in the song. 7.5/10.

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Track 7 – Munni Badnaam (Remix) - Remixed by a female DJ – DJ Megha sounds like a good way to go but even though she does a good job with it you will rather go with Sajid-Wajid’s original desi dance version. The western touch with an electro feel and double synthetic beat looses the whole purpose on a village street song. It’s just a contrast of ideas but Megha still makes a point about her DJ abilities. 6.5/10.

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Track 8 – Tere Mast Mast Do Nain (Remix) - Designer Hippies vs the Bombay Bounce impress me with their ability to look at remixes in a different way but disappoint at certain points in the song. Their arrangement skills and keyboard synths are just a good combination on the right song but they go a little too further with sound effects in an over adventurous spirit to impress. A song is still definitely worth a listen. 6.5/10.

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Track 9 – Humka Peeni Hai (Remix) – Fried Brain Music.com remix this favourite of mine to a good standard. I can imagine the number of difficulties around remixing a song like this but he does a decent job although the song doesn’t fit a UK dance circuit song. It is difficult to place in a traditional or an electro set. 6/10.

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Track 10 – Dabangg Theme – Salman Khan voices this robin hood themed Spanish flavoured music that Dabangg represents. Its different but sounds like you are listening to a movie trailer. That is what probably this track was mixed for. 6.5/10.

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FINAL WORD

Pretty Good – 7/10

Dabangg surely has the bang factor in the typical Indian village style mixed with the Bollywood flavour and the Salman Khan cheesy fun factor. It has style and innovation by Sajid-Wajid in songs like Hud Hud Dabangg, Humka Peeni Hai and Munni Badnaam while romance takes centre stage in Tere Mast Mast Do Nain and Chori Kiya Re Jiya. Kudos to Jalees Sherwani for some exciting lyrical arrangements in a total gaun style. The music of Dabangg definitely has the potential to work in the western market event though it has the total Indian village touch to it. That’s its differentiator. For those who that factor does work too well for .. for them there is always the Salman Khan factor !! Music available on T-Series.

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Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai is the 7th movie under the Balaji Motion Pictures Banner. Not a single movie so far has had music that stands out or can boast of a hit. If we leave the music and talk just about the movie, not a single of their productions has delivered well the box office except for average business.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai could just about be the one to change it all for the biggest small screen banner who could now be the big screen banner that Ekta & Shobha Kapoor have dreamed of making it… and it all rests on the shoulders of brilliant actors Ajay Devgan & Emraan Hashmi. These guys usually always deliver the vision of their producers and directors. But does director Milan Luthria who has made movies like Kachche Dhaage, Chori Chori, Deewar & Taxi No. 9211 have it in him to deliver a hit underworld Mumbai theme movie? That we will have to wait till the 30th July to watch.

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For now let us analyse what hit maker Pritam can deliver with lyricists Irshad Kamil, Nilesh Mishra & Amitabh Bhattacharya for a movie with a very dark theme. Pritam has never actually worked on a Mumbai dark side themed movie although he has delivered some super hits with movies like Gangster, Jannat & Rajneeti recently. I would imagine this OST will have some street talk Mumbai songs with the slang and violent gun shots with a mix of romance & totally dark Mumbai themed music for background scores of the movie. I would love it if Irshad can repeat his magic of Karam on the lyrics cause that was sensational. Let’s hit play and check it out.

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Pee Loon – Very pleasant first 30 seconds of the album that set the tone of the album. And you can’t ask for more than Mohit Chauchan’s voice following the soothing 30 seconds of music. This Qawaali based romantic song reminds you of the sea side by Haji Ali. The melody and instrumentation are heart felt with a mesmerising harmonium solo in the middle bridge which you must take a notice of as that is not something you hear often in music these days. The team of Pritam, Irshad & Mohit make an instant classic romantic hit. A must listen. 8/10.

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Track 2 – Tum Jo Aaye – Seems like this is more of a romantic movie than a underworld bloodshed extravaganza. Tulsi Kumar along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan perform a very soulful vocal rendition to Irshad’s poetic lyrics. Once again Pritam sticks to the Qawali style Bollywood music format with another good harmonium solo. The dholki played on this song is brilliantly recorded. The classical composition & recitation work well in the favour of this song and even has a Punjabi element to it. It is a good song but not the best. It won’t stick in your head as much as Pee Loon. 7/10.

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Track 3 – I Am In Love – We know Karthik from two really big songs – Behka from Ghajina & Behne De from Raavan recently. Both truly are brilliant. So is I am in love. You can really feel the emotion when he says “I am in Love”. His vocals & harmonies are spotless on a great voice. The lyrics by Nilesh Mishra will make you sit up and take notice of them as they rhyme all the way. Pritam’s composition & simple music complement this song perfectly. It is just simple & beautiful. You will surely like it. Do listen.. 7.5/10.

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Track 4 – Parda – Haha.. revival of the classic.. Remember Duniya Mein Logon Ko from Apna Desh? Sunidhi & Rana Mazumder do a revision of that classic and spice it up with some new lyrics by Irshad which are not that great. Rana freaks you out here sounding exactly like The Boss – R. D. Burman. Pritam very successfully gives you the 70′s feel with this composition and Sunidhi is his star that delivers it very well on the mic. You can’t help but sing along every time the “Monicaaa” shout comes along. I love going back in time.. & this song takes u there. A production & creative genius song. Lacks brilliant lyrics. 7.5/10.

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Track 5 – Babu Rao – From the start you will take notice of the unique music style. Kudos to Pritam for this coming up with this composition. It is genuine, unique and works perfectly with the theme of this song. The programming of the instruments is imaginitive & brave.  Mika has his usual fun and is perfect in the vocals department. He sounds like a street don. But the best part of this song are the lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya. They are cool, funny & represent all gangsters. I won’t be surprised if they start using this song as their gang theme song.. lol. 8.5/10.

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Track 6 – Tum Jo Aaye (Reprise) – If you liked track 2 then this version will blow you off with its calmness, style, purity & melodic feel. It is just genius. It is all about 4 instruments – gorgeous tabla, resounding ghungroos, brilliant harmonium and Rahat Fateh Ali’s voice. I don’t want to tell you more. Just listen to it & you will discover the beauty of Indian music. 8.5/10.

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Track 7 – I Am In Love – KK & Dominique do a 2nd version of Track 3 which is also like a reprise version. It is as good as Track 3. KK & Karthik each have their own place and you can’t really compare these 2 versions. Karthik has more depth while KK has a sharper stylish voice. Lyrically & composition-ally it is the same song. 7.5/10.

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Track 8 – Pee Loon (Remix) -DJ A-Myth is one of the best DJ’s in India and he really proves it this time with giving a decent remix which does not kill the original. And thank God they very selectively chose this song rather than doing a remix of every song on the OST. So overall a very decent & cute remix. Perfect for a warm up set or calm drinking party. 7/10.

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Track 9 -I Am In Love (Dance) – There you go.. that’s how you ruin a good song with a not required remix. A trance mix of a great song with 2 different versions already on the OST.. I don’t see why did they need a third version and too on a totally inspired trance beat. This is perhaps the only blunder on a perfectly good album. Please end the OST on track 8 to keep you ears safe. 4.5/10.

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FINAL WORD

Very Good – 7.5/10

This OST is definitely not what it feels like. It is more of a romantic album rather than a underworld album with Marathi influences. Every song is better than expected and there is no below average song except the last track.

3 beautiful romantic songs, 1 bar type song which is a production beauty as is a revival of a classic and 1 brilliant underworld song that thrills you in every way. Babu Rao, Pee Loon and Tum Jo Aaye (Reprise) are the definite picks of the album with all credit to Pritam once again for a masterpiece album. His choice of singers, instruments & lyricists is brilliant. Each of them perform with a simple goal to make this OST worth listening to. And it sure is.. So go buy Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. Available on T-Series.

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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.. !!

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Milenge Milenge Trailer

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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 percussion by 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.

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Am writing a music review after a long time.. I hope I haven’t lost touch with my music. And I hope exactly the same for Vishal-Shekhar who are making music after a long time. Frankly I feel fit and up-to-date.. One can’t really loose touch of music flavour & understanding can they! I guess it is the same for Vishal-Shekhar too. They are good at what they do & I feel they can never loose that! After Dostana in 2008 they only worked on Aladin last year. This year they are back with I HATE LUV STORYS (== IHLS).

Cliche line..?? I hope the music is not cliche for this exciting forthcoming project which is a Karan & Hiroo Johar & Ronnie Screwvala production under the UTV banner. Starring Imran Khan & cutie Sonam Kapoor who are back after flops LUCK and Delhi-6. IHLS is the brain child of debutant director Punit Malhotra who has also written the story. Karan Johar loves working with new directors I guess.. Well can’t object to that since they usually give him hits like Dostana recently. Another common factor to these projects is the hit music of Vishal-Shekhar. These guys make some of the biggest club tunes like Desi Girl, Bachna Ae Haseeno & Om Shanti Om.

So lets hope IHLS delivers something new for me to play in the parties which is fresh, young and with a killer beat just like the film trailer. Check it out.. It is about a guy who works in the film industry & doesn’t believe in love but then has to work on a romantic film with a girl who is crazy about love.

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REVIEW

Track 1 – Jab Mila Tu – This song reminds you of exactly the same album opening to Dostana with Jaane Kyu. A soft romantic beauty this song is.. I love it’s vibe with the classic double bass rhythm and some sharp acoustic guitar at the start followed by dirty electric guitar in the para’s. Anvita Dutt is a hugely talented writer & her lyrics on this song are truly mesmerising. Vishal lends his vocals to his compilation himself & the texture of his voice fits in brilliantly. You will be humming & singing along this tune in a matter of a few minutes. A perfect Sunday morning radio tune – 8/10.

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Track 2 – Bin Tere – So what if Vishal can’t sing every song on the album.. he is hugely talented and can write lyrics equally well. Even if it is for a phenomenal ex-Pakistani band Fuson singer Shafqat Amanat Ali, Vishal can give the lyrics lot of substance & depth. Respect to him.. Shafqat gives his soul in the form of his voice to this song which moves to a rather fast upbeat for a sad romantic song like this. Listen to the guitar on this number. Some really good solo’s with a wholesome band instrumental compilation. Sunidhi Chauhan makes an appearance & does a harmony with Shafqat in the last 2 minutes. Like this one.. but definitely not the best I’ve heard. 7/10.

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Track 3 – I Hate Luv Storys – This funky title song is a modern equivalent of Shut up and bounce from Dostana.. only a lot cooler!!! This is the tune I’ll be blasting in clubs and parties. In the voice of Vishal Dadlani again with the lyrics of Kumaar, this song has a catchy hit chorus line with part Hindi part English lyrics. It is fresh, cool, funky, hummable, dancy and very capable of lighting the dance floor on fire if mixed right by the DJ’s around the world. It is not a massive tune like Desi Girl or Bachna Ae Haseeno or Deewangi Deewangi.. but it has it’s own style & it works. Sure hit – 7.5/10.

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Track 4 – Bahara – A start with the classical Rajasthani voice of Sona Mohapatra is always a good style. It works with the listeners as proved by Genda Phool last year. Shreya Ghosal’s melodic voice literally makes you feel like Spring as she talks about the thrill of her first love with the lyrics of Kumaar. A good romantic song with a very good unique composition. Could have done with more classical instrumentation.. But it is alright. You will still like it. 7/10.

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Track 5 – Sadka – Another song with strikingly good lyrics by Anvita Dutt. 3 Idiots singer – Suraj Jagan gives it a very deep vocal touch. He sounds ambient & very powerful for a song with lyrics talking about worship of love. Mahalaxmi Iyer does well too on the female vocals.. but not outstanding. Suraj steals leads the song all the way. The production & composition sounds similar to the others with the typical Vishal-Shekhar deep bass guitar. Good song. 7/10.

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Track 6 – Bin Tere-Reprise – This version completely surprises you with how good it is. Vishal lets his partner Shekhar take on the mic this time & also lets Kumaar improvise on his original lyrics. A big sacrifice !! and it truly pays off. The acoustic guitar is brilliant.. soulful & melodious. The lyrics are truly beautiful and make you fall in love. A valentines day classic to be or a perfect background song for your wedding reception. Love it.. 8.5/10.

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Track 7 – Bahara (Chill Version) – One of my favourite singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan comes down to make a good song even better. His voice alone gives so much more depth to Kumaar’s lyrics that you just won’t believe how the same song so different.. even when it is not a remix !! The chill version is a true lounge mix and relaxes your nerves. Close your eyes and listen to truly enjoy the bliss of the classical recitation by Rahat. A must listen. 8/10.

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Track 8 – Bin Tere-Remix - DJ Kiran steps in to try and make a great song dancy.. Succeeds at that.. but truly ruins the feel of this soulful number. The trance feel fits in but not well enough to make you like this version. You can stop listening to this album after Track 7. I would hate to find any DJ’s out there playing this anywhere.. Ignore this one. 5/10.

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FINAL WORD

Super Good & Fresh – 7.5/10

Forget loosing touch.. Vishal-Shekhar have only got better. This album might not prove to be very big hit like some of their previous work but it sure has a different essence that they can boast of. It is an all rounder filling in all the gaps in the current market for different genres. It works in every respect to deliver a good package with a lot of love in it.. Ironic for a title that hates love !!

Buy this album if you are a music lover. Or even if you just love your partner then buy this album to impress them with your romantic listening taste.. You will feel the magic ! Available on Sony Music.

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