Making films
with a strong concept and a serious storyline is the new in thing
in Bollywood. One such upcoming film is Lamhaa which stars Sanjay
Dutt and Bipasha Basu in the lead roles while Anupam Kher and
Kunal Kapoor play supporting roles. Produced by Bunty and Jaspreet
Singh Walia and directed by the National Award winning director,
Rahul Dholakia, Lamhaa is one of the most promising films to come
out in the near future.
Lamhaa is a film based on the life of people living in Kashmir
and how terrorism has affected their lives. The plot shows how
Kashmir has become a cruel playground by devils due to a certain
company, which makes money and is providing illegal benefit to
politicians, leaders, bureaucrats and the likes from India and
Pakistan. The Military Intelligence finds out that the scheme
can paralyze Kashmir and that's when Vikram is sent to look into
this secret mission. Vikram becomes Gul Jehangir to go on this
mission. The day he lands on the valley, Haji a pro-independence
leader, survives a blast. To find out if there is a connection
between the operation and the blast, Vikram gets together with
Aziza who is Haji's young, antagonistic and blunt protégée.
Together Vikram and Aziza start a journey to uncover the truth
and while at it, they develop a special relationship.
The music director, Mithoon has done a wonderful job making beautiful
music for this film, which suits the sensitivity of the plot.
Considering Mithoon has made tracks like 'Maula Mere Maula' and
'Kuch Is Tarhan', the expectations from him weren't any less to
begin with. Mithoon, who was on a long break since the last two
years is now back, and boy with a bang. After hearing this album,
I think his break is completely justified.
The album opens with 'Madno', written by Sayeed Quadri and sung
by Kshitij Tarey and Chinmayi. It is one of the most beautiful
songs I have heard in a very long time. It's one of those tracks
that are just perfect. The lyrics are intense; it starts with
"hai dil ko teri arzoo, per main tumhe na paa sakun"
and goes on to strike a chord with the listener. The tune is so
fragile that it touches the heart and the vocals are extremely
natural and sweet. This is a peaceful song which can easily be
called the best track in the album and one that is a must for
every playlist.
'Salaam Zindagi' starts with children's voices reciting poetry,
laughing and enjoying. The starting makes you imagine the scenario
it is picturized on without even watching the video. The opening
lyrics are beautiful, "Jis cheez ko paanay ki thi umeed kho
chuki/us cheez ko paa kar buhat dil ko khushi huwi, Salaam Zindagi".
The song gives a tribute to life and prays that love and happiness
live forever.
'Main Kaun Hoon', begins with voices of buzzing choppers, which
then turn into quite a somber instrumental track. Dr Palash Sen
of band Euphoria fame has given his strong vocals to the track
but it is Amitabh Verma's lyrics that drill through your mind
and make the song worth listening to. However, you might have
to give it a second hearing to get the crux of the song. It isn't
near the best tracks of the album.
'Saajnaa', the next track of the album produces strong Déjà
vu - of'Madno'. The lyrics are pretty much the same too. The male
singer of 'Saajnaa' is Mika Singh instead of Mithoon, like in
'Madno'. Mika has probably never done a job this good ever before
and this song basically focuses on Mika's vocals and projects
them. This one isn't any less than Madno itself and is a sure
shot hit! Simple and beautiful, that's what it is.
'Zameen-O-Aasman', is Mithoon's only solo track in the album and
thus the vocals are extremely strong and create an impact the
first time you listen to it. The lyrics written by Sayeed Quadri
mention the cruelties the innocents have to face. It talks about
the injustices they have to go through, the hatred among people,
the lack of trust that prevails in the society, the innocent being
punished and how there's darkness around. In short it's a request
to the owner of both the worlds.
The album might not include any tracks that would make you want
to tap your feet, or any that you could play on the upcoming dholkis
and mehndis but this album is absolutely worth buying. It is surely
some phenomenal music that you must listen to. Most of the tracks
are intense and beautiful, the kind that strike a melancholic
chord.
-- Hafsah
Sarfraz
