Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Music Review

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
It's been two long years since the musical team of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (S-E-L) made their presence felt in Bollywood, their last known ost was 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dubara' back in 2011 and since then new age composers like Amit Trivedi, Mithoon, Vishal-Shekhar have ruled the charts..With "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag", the talented trio makes a power packed comeback. When Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is at the director's seat, the stakes are very high in all aspects, considering his previous ventures that were musically rich and composed keeping in sync with the narration of the movie, case in point- 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Delhi-6', both of which have the privilege to have their music composed by the legend A.R.Rahman, although this time he choose the team of S-E-L alongside the very talented artist Prasoon Joshi (Lyricist), the combination which created havoc with 'Taare Zameen Par' back in 2007, as a result the expectations from the soundtrack are humongous. With vocal talents like Arif Lohar, Javed Bashir, Sukhwinder Singh ( and many more), one tightens the seat belt and is sure of some roller-coaster rides alongside seven originals and one rock version!

"Gurbani" by Daler Mehndi starts off the proceedings on a slow-steady note where Daler Mehndi seems to be the perfect choice, close to two minutes it seems to be composed for a sad-climax sequence, nothing much to write about as it ends very quickly.

The second track "Zinda" is already a hit and provides an adrenaline rush with exuberant guitar riffs that leaves one in trance and gasping for more. The lyrics by Prasoon perfectly portray the growth of the protagonist as an athlete. Debutant Siddharth Mahadevan (son of Shankar Mahadevan) sings this one in such electrifying way that one can't resist but keep it on 'Repeat' mode. The interlude from 1:27 to 1:45 is breathtaking, thrilling and soul stirring with magnificent use of 'Muted Guitar Rhythm’s' and electric/bass guitar riffs. Chart Topper!

Soft guitar riffs starts off "Mera Yaar" which oozes romance and love in each word that is so beautifully sung by Javed Bashir keeping intact the Punjabi flavor. The song, close to six minutes, has a strong addictive melody where Prasoon Joshi's poetry transports the listeners into a world of unconditional pure love where love and worship are considered equal and same. The thing I loved the most apart from the lyrics, melody and vocals, is the use of 3 paragraphs which is a very rare thing at present considering the duration of songs that is getting reduced with time. The song takes just a few hearing to grow and should be promoted aggressively. First Class! Here is an extract:

           "Woh Noor Ka Jharna Hai, Main Pyaas Puraani,

            Maine Aankh Se Gatak Liya, Us Husn Ka Paani,

            Use Takte Takte Takte, Umar Guzaaru,

            Koi Aur Khayal Jo Aaye to Jhat Se Utaaru.

            Maine Ishq Itar (Perfume) Pehna, Main Khushboo Khusboo

            Ab Wo Hi Mehakta Hai, Mere Bheetar Har Soo.

            Mera Pairo Me Bhangra, Saanso Mein Tappe Tappe,

            Main Ishq Tarane Gaayu Chappe Chappe!

                                                                     -Prasoon Joshi

"Maston Ka Jhund"  lands in the same corridor as S-E-L 'Tapkey Masti' from 'London Dreams' as far as the arrangements are concerned, although the treatment is different, this time it's much more fun, much more innovative and aptly written. Divya Kumar, a hot favorite with Amit Trivedi ('Allah Meherbaan'- Ghanchakkar; 'Shubaarambh'- Kai Po Che), sings this one with so much zeal and style that it instantly brings a smile on one's face, not to mention the video which sees some insane choreography, making it a 'HIT' all the way. S-E-L can be heard in the chorus part but it's hard to identify the voices. Make no mistakes; it will grow immensely post the movie release!

Up next is the title song "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" where Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra makes his presence felt..Unplugged for the whole 4:30 minutes, the focus is mainly on the High-Pitch Renditions and some High-Spirited, Inspirational lyrics by Prasoon. Arif Lohar voice has a Punjabi touch to it and enters straight into the heart, although the song would look better onscreen rather than just the audio, would be a treat to watch as to how Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra picturise this one in the movie, one is sure that this one is for important sequence in the movie post interval or a pre-climax sequence! ...and there you go, we also have "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - Rock Version" where Siddharth Mahadevan proves his menace once again. The lyrics have been kept same; still there is immense difference between both the versions where one merely focuses on the vocals while the other completely lands in a rock forte dominated by bass guitars and drums. I wonder if this version would be used in the movie or not. Recommended..Both Versions!

"Slow Motion Angreza" is a kind of composition that will get mixed response from the listeners. It starts with English vocals by Loy Mendonsa with violins and Hollywood feel where one is not sure as to what to expect from it until one minute when Sukhwinder Singh makes an entry and from that point it embarks towards innovation, from writing to melody to arrangements, everything is so artistic. The composition needs a few hearings to settle down especially with the unusual mockery of ''Vol Mol Wonder Vol Mol Wonder to Ghulmil Ghulmil Launda, Ghulmil Ghulmil Launda'' that has an addictive hook to it. Shankar Mahadevan makes a cameo at the end with only one line; anyways the song should be choreographed lavishly in the first half with lots of fun involved. A Hot-Seller!

Last to arrive is the classical "O Rangrez" which rides high on Javed Bashir and Shreya Ghoshal refined vocals. The song creates a soothing, peaceful aura of its own courtesy some majestic jugalbandi of Sitaar and Tabla, especially the second interlude from 3:14 to 3:42 and the last 25 seconds with Sitaar and Keyboard works as an icing on the cake. The song as long as 6:25 minutes never has a dull moment and will enjoy a long shelf life. It's a treat for the music lovers who crave for composition like this in today's era! 

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy proves their menace with this soundtrack and as usual their compositions will grow more and more with repeated hearings and moreover each song will take the narration of the movie forward rather than hindering the pace and acting as mere fillers. 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' has all the ingredients- Hard-Rock, Romance, Dance, and Classical where 'Zinda' and 'Mera Yaar' is already a hit; 'Slow Motion Angreza' and 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' will grow immensely post the movie release. All in All, it's a soundtrack worth spending your time and money! Run (Bhaag) for it!