From Rahat Fateh Ali to Ali Azmat to Strings to Shafqat Amanat Ali; we've grown entirely used to hearing Pakistani singers being featured on the soundtracks to Bollywood films. They've garnered massive popularity via the filmi route, and even though this year hasn't seen as many artistes featured as in previous years, this season we've heard Rahat, Atif and upcoming singer Nauman Javed sing playback for Indian films. Instep reviews the singles that are currently doing the rounds.
 'Rabba'
Singer: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan
OST Main Aurr Mrs Khanna
Composers: Sajid-Wajid
'Rabba' is one of the more disappointing songs that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has done for Bollywood. It is sadly, entirely forgettable. Despite the fact that Rahat is reported to have broken down while recording this song, it doesn't have any emotional depth. Instead, 'Rabba' just passes off as an average love song that even Rahat's great vocals can do nothing for. I thought Rahat's weakest song this year had to be 'Ajj Din Chadheya' from the Love Aaj Kal soundtrack, but 'Rabba' makes the former sound like a stroke of genius.
 Verdict: Forgettable. Can we have another 'Mann Ki Lagan' please?
'Khwab Jo'
Singers: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shankar Mahadevan
OST London Dreams
Composers: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Off the soundtrack of the grandiose film London Dreams, which promises to be a cross between all the music-themed films Bollywood has produced lately with the grandeur of Sanjay Leela Bhansali films, 'Khwab Jo' redeems Rahat to a certain extent. A duet with composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan and Rahat, 'Khwab Jo' is a soaring combination that builds on the strengths of both singers. It's a song that one would love to hear being performed live to see how the camaraderie between the two is, but the optimistic lyrics may not be everyone's cup of tea.
Verdict: Imagine yourself in an opera house while listening to this.
'Tera Hone Laga Hoon'
Singers: Atif Aslam and Alisha Chinoy
OST Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
 'Tera Hone Laga Hoon' will undoubtedly be this season's most popular love song. In a year where soundtracks as brilliant as Kaminey or as fun as Wake Up Sid have been released, the Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani soundtrack can't possibly match up, but it does have gems such as this one. Atif's raw (the common complaint is 'OUT OF TUNE!') voice is an interesting contrast to Alisha's melodious one but this is a combination that works. (Even though Atif's voice seems odd on Ranbir Kapoor, but so did Shafqat Amanat Ali for Shah Rukh Khan on 'Mitwa'). This romantic ballad is sweet. But can we please get a respite from the trend of including English lyrics in a Hindi song? The English verses are ridiculous:
'Shining in the setting sun / like a pearl upon the ocean / come and feel me / oh feel me / Thinking about the love we're making and the life we're sharing / come and feel me'.
Surprisingly, even those cringe-worthy lines don't distract from the song. Kudos to Pritam for the excellent production on this song and to Atif on upping the ante after the hits he has delivered with 'Pehli Nazar' and 'Tere Bin'. This has hit written all over it, and given the heavy airplay the saccharine video featuring the film's stars Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif has received, it'll probably go down as one of the high points in Atif's Bollywood portfolio.
Verdict: A cheesy, happy love song.
'Tu Jaane Na'
Singer: Atif Aslam
OST Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
Composer: Pritam Chakraborty
This song opens with a chorus eerily similar to 'Khwaja Mere Khwaja' from the soundtrack of Jodhaa Akbar (by A.R. Rahman). That sing-along, deep throated chorus leads to a tabla infused beat over which Atif sings about love, and the not-so-literal distance between two lovers. The chorus repeats during the song with Atif's characteristic alaaps, and the song tends to grow on you.
Verdict: A cue from A.R. Rahman or the classical influence of Coke Studio? Either way, good on Atif for having two songs in the same film. |
