Jodi Breakers Music Review

R.Madhavan and Bipasha Basu

Rating: ★ ★ ★ 

A movie starring R.Madhavan and Bipasha Basu doesn't quite sky shoot the expectations one has from the film and soundtrack both. Jodi Breakers bring together the composer duo of Salim-Sulaiman and lyricist Irshaad Kamil (who was top notch in Rockstar last year) and Shabbir Ahmed. Salim-Sulaiman fared below expectations in 'Ladies V/s Ricky Bahl' recently as their music has been a bit stereotyped since past few years except some outstanding tunes in 'Band Baaja Baaraat' (2010). This time for Jodi Breakers, they have composed five originals with 3 Reprise/Remix and the good thing about the other versions is the variety of different singers used.

The tagline of the movie 'Single Rehne Ka Bejod Formula' is further justified by the opening track "Kunwara"  where Salim Merchant in his usual predictable style tries hard to make one lure to the dance floor but sadly the end result is not that foot tapping nor the one which you would hum around. The lyrics are average, the music has nothing much innovative except some instrumental piece in the interlude, the antaras are highly similar in tune with the antaras of their previous hit 'Ainvayi Ainvayi' from 'Band Baaja Baaraat' and moreover the word 'Kunwara' gets too repetitive after a particular time. R.Madhavan was spectacular in 'Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein' almost a decade ago and won applause for 'Tanu Weds Manu' but looks too fat in the song and I doubt if he will be able to pull the track with his screen presence. Average start for the album!

Bipasha Basu in the song 'Bipasha'

"Bipasha", yes that's the name of the second track which even a ten year old could guess would be picturised on the lead actress Bipasha Basu as an introductory song. Salim-Sulaiman brings on their hot favourite Shraddha Pandit behind the mike with some Sufi supporting vocals from talent hunt contestant Shadab Faridi. The notes by Shadab Faridi from 2.54 to 3.14 and from 4.25 to 4.36 are one to hear for, although short lived but still some terrific creativity instilled in an item number like this where Shraddha Pandit is at her best. If promoted (and choreographed) well, the composition has the power to embark some sparks on screen. Spicy indeed!

"Bipasha Remix" makes up for a good remix especially some thumping powerful beats in the interludes. Salim Merchant's replacing Shadab Faridi for the short sufi/qawwali portions seems unnecessary as his presence is hardly felt and it could have easily been edited in the Remix.

The soundtrack takes a 180 degree turn after two racy, peppy tracks and from here on some high on lyrics compositions (three) awaits the listeners. First in the list is "Darmiyaan" where Shafqat Amanat Ali and Clinton Cerejo, two diversely, hugely talented artists join together and the result is no doubt, 'ecstatic'. The song gives a heard before feel of many S-E-L and Shafqat Amanat Ali compositions and the antaras again knocks at the doorsteps of 'Tu Jaane Na' (Kailash Kher's unplugged version) from 'Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani' (especially from 2.44 to 2.54 & 4.46. to 4.56). Barring all comparisons, Shafqat Amanat Ali creates magic once again with his voice and Clinton Cerejo with his English vocals alongside some stuffy lyrics ensures a high repeat value certainly. 

To much surprise, the song returns back as "Darmiyaan - Reprise" where Shreya Ghoshal goes unplugged with only keyboard for the whole 3 minutes of its duration. Shreya's voice instantly touches the soul and keeps one wanting for more.

Salim Merchant starts with his trademark alaap for "Mujhko Teri Zarurat Hai" but its Shadab Faridi's vocals who takes the cake away in this beautiful composition where Shraddha Pandit almost have nothing to do except two lines. The USP of this track is the use of Shadab Faridi's talent, be it the breathtaking alaap from .41 to .50 or some gripping Jugalbandi with Salim Merchant in the only antara that follows or some polished extensive high notes from 4.08 to 4.22. It's a kind of composition that needs some hearings to settle down and will certainly be appreciated by the audience that knows what good music is. Must Hear!

When a name like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (RFAK) is attached to a track which has Remix written after its name, one doesn't knows what to expect from it. In "Mujhko Teri Zarurat Hai - Remix", RFAK replaces Salim Merchant and Shraddha Pandit gets to do a tad bit more with the addition of some English Vocals. A Reprise version with the maestro RFAK behind the mike would have struck gold instead of a forceful fast paced track where he is wasted completely and moreover one wonders that why the antara has been eradicated completely! Disappointing Remix, Skip!

Salim Merchant creates a calm and peaceful ambience with his English vocals alongside Piano at the very start of “Jab Main Tumhare Saath Hoon". Shilpa Rao starts of beautifully and dominates most of the proceedings with Benny Dayal joining in later. The lyrics create the high point for this situational composition and should fit in pretty well along the narration of the movie. The transformations when Benny Dayal joins in each time is appreciable and the orchestration is also worth a hear with various instruments being used. A track which ends the soundtrack on a decent note.

Jodi Breakers starts the year for Salim-Sulaiman on a good note but the expectations are much higher from the composer duo considering some fantastic tracks being churned out from their stable previously and its been many years since they established themselves in the music industry. A chartbuster is what the soundtrack lacks, where 'Kunwara' could fill the space for a very limited period. Shadab Faridi is definitely the 'find' of the soundtrack and would love to hear more from this talented artist.

 I rate it 3 out of 5.