Music Review : For music freaks of all genres

Director: Vipul Amrutlal Shah
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Rishi Kapoor
Music Director: Himesh Reshammiya
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

Director Vipul Amrutlal Shah and Akshay Kumar after the successful spree of films like ‘Aankhen’ and ‘Waqt’ come together for this new offing titled ‘Namastey London’. Akshay Kumar who is enjoying a strong phase at the box office returns back with this film along with Katrina Kaif who plays his NRI wife in the film. Along with the different storyline the music is also a high point of the film bringing together two accomplished personalities from the world of music lyricists Javed Akhtar and composer/singer Himesh Reshammiya. Not only you’ve Himesh behind the mike but Javed Saab also makes his voice heard. The album comprises 7 original songs with 11 remixes of the tracks. All this and more hear in the music of the film. But before that read on.

The Sufi styled track based on Bhangra with elements of pop ‘Chakna Chakna’ arrives at the beginning making you click with the nightclub number from the very first instance. After long Reshammiya voice is heard as he sets forth to croon. Apt for the domain he does a fine job. There is a remix version arriving for the same track that just doubles the fun. This is more Bhangra and will surely be treat for music lovers in India and abroad.

Next on the line is ‘Viraaniya’ a sad track arriving after the fun filled first one. Reshammiya once again at the helm for composing and singing the song brilliantly. Also full marks for the simple but effective lyrics of Javed Akhtar. Though it comes as a sad track, it is enjoyable and you would prefer listening to it again and again. There are two remix version of the track called ‘remix’ and ‘Mehfil Mix’ versions. The remix version is also likeable with more pace and added pep of musical arrangement. For the ‘Mehfil Mix’ you can hear Javed Akhtar reciting a few lines of his poetry as a prelude. Remarkable!

‘Main Jahaan Rahoon’, the third song of the enterprise is another good take, maintaining the good work that the two songs have done formerly. Music for the track is superb and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s rendition just makes things better for it. You’ll get hooked to this simply melodious love song that’ll delight you all the way. A mandatory remix of the song also follows. Not much thrill has been tried for the remix and that’s the best part about it. The ‘Mehfil Mix’ with the recitation by Javed Saab and light music only makes things better.

Reshammiya continues impressing in similar manner with ‘Yehi Hota Pyaar’. With quality a predominant factor of the album so far, this ghazal song has Reshammiya in a never heard before stance, he goes low pitch for the track as he couples up with Sunidhi Chauhan. The song is so lovely that you feel like listening to it again and again. The remix version is more entertaining with added pace and so is the ‘Mehfil mix’ that adds a different dimension to this song overall.

On the similar lines of ‘Chakna Chakna’ is the next song ‘Rafta Rafta’ brought to you by R.D.B a popular UK-Bhangra band. The message of the song is loud and clear- head for the dance floor man and let your hair down! Add on the pace for this medium paced track with the remix version.

Reshammiya’s regular Jayesh Gandhi arrives with the next song ‘Annan Faanan’. He along with Akriti Kakkar another Reshammiya favourite get together for this romantic number. The rock ballad feel of the track clicks and the song maintains the feel good factor of the soundtrack. The other two versions ‘Remix’ and ‘Mehfil Mix’ are no less enjoyable.

‘Dilrooba’ is a trademark Himesh song rendered by Zubeen Garg and Alisha Chinai. After the gleaming gems so far, this song match up to them but it doesn’t mean it lacks spark. It’s an enjoyable number overall and the remix version also confirms that.

Himesh has subdued himself when it comes to the music of the album in the sense that he has concentrated more on melody-based numbers in comparison to the routine dance numbers that he has more popular for.  Although ‘Chakna Chakna’, ‘Rafta Rafta’ and ‘Dilrooba’ will be a treat for his hardcore fans, ‘Viraaniya’, ‘Main Jahaan Rahoon’ and ‘Yehi Hota Pyaar’ will settles for music freaks of all genres. The ‘Mehfil Mix’ is a new entrant in the field of music and it should also fetch positive response.