Rating: ★ ★ ★
Raghu Dixit may be a new name for Bollywood
but is a renowned name in the Kannada music industry. He is making his debut as
a Music Director and Lyricist for Y-Films (a youth wing of Yash Raj Films) Mujhse
Fraaandship Karoge which has
developed quite a buzz with the 'Dheon Dheon' track that has been quite
popular among the youth. Expectations are not scorching high, primarily because
there are no known faces (Actors) involved and more specifically the Music
Director. Having said that, Raghu
Dixit deserves a pat on his
back for providing a fresh, young, peppy soundtrack that has in it all, from
dance/club number to soft love song to some pure music pieces. With Anvita Dutt Guptan writing four songs out of five,
one spins the CD's in their music devices which contains 5 originals and 3
remix.
First in line is the
highly addictive club number Dheaon Dheaon and the moment Vishal Dadlani name appears on the credentials of
the track, one expects another roller coaster ride as in Dhan Te Nan (Kaminey) and the listeners aren’t
disappointed at all. It's a fun-young-party number with some
trademark South Style Drum beats which is justifiable considering from where
Raghu Dixit arrives. Although Vishal Dadlani, known for his high pitched
vociferous voice, sings this number in a completely different style but still
the composition has the power to hook listeners in just one hearing with Brodha V and Smokey doing some impressive rapping
portions in the interludes. The highly talented Aditi Singh Sharma stays
head-to-head with Vishal Dadlani and makes sure that the four minutes results
in a fun outing. The lyrics make an impact with them being especially written
keeping in mind the youngsters and the theme of the movie. A scintillating
start to the soundtrack!
To my disappointment,
the song returns back as Dheaon
Dheaon- The Seeti Seeti Bang Bang Mix and it feels unnecessary
as the original have enough beats to make listeners dance and tap their feet,
moreover the Remix by Raghu
Dixit offers nothing
extraordinary on the musical front except some added whistling sounds, the
tempo remains at the same level. Original is far better.
"There is no
shortcut to becoming a successful singer. The only shortcut is to be super-talented.
You got to impress a composer in 20 seconds! I heard Shilpa Rao who was
standing with her CV outside my studio. I heard her on the headphone and signed
her for the Saiyya Re number in Salaam-E-Ishq. Today, she is the singing
sensation of Bollywood."
-Shankar
Mahadevan.
Shilpa Rao will make you fall in love with
the next song, Uh-Oh Uh-Oh!, courtsey
her saccharine filled voice and if that is not enough, Ash King ('Te
Amo' fame) will
surprise you by some radiant low notes. Any other day and it could have been
easily a Shaan or K.K at the helm of the affairs. Kudos
to Raghu Dixit for trying out Ash King, who provides a fresh-young feel to the
composition with some carnival like arrangements being also heard in the
interludes. Although Shilpa Rao reminds you of some compositions from her
non-film album Rewind-Nine
Lost Memories, but
nevertheless when the 3.5 minute journey ends, it keeps you wanting for more.
Uh-Oh Uh-Oh 2.0 (Remix by Raghu Dixit) starts off with some robotic voice
and then tries to pick up some pace but again it wasn't required for a sweet
beautiful composition like this.
Expectations have
gone up after the first two tracks and the good run continues with Baatein
Shuru. It starts with Shefali Alvaris, who seems to be in
the same mode as in 'Yeh Dil Hai Nakhreywala' from Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, and is later joined by Joi Barua. It has a catchy tune and some apt
lyrics by Anvita Dutt. One more antara could have added
an extra zing to the composition but still it maked up for a decent
hear.
Suraj Jagan who created quite a stir with his
'Jaa Chudail' (Delhi Belly), this time sings a motivational track in Chhoo Le which is filled with rock beats
and electric guitar riffs. A good track that takes some time to settle down with
some meaningful lyrics (that deserves attention) and trademark-energetic
singing by Suraj Jagan. Although the musical arrangements reminds you of
the iconic song-Summer Of 69 but
still it should work well considering the how it is used in the movie.
Not surprisingly
though it has a Chhoo Le- The
Big Bang Mix by Nawed Khan, Zoheb Khan and Nikhil Chinapa (I too was
shocked reading the VJ's name) which has in it to make it to the
discotheques and parties with added beats.
Remember the band Junoon and their composition 'Sayyonee' which created quite a buzz almost
decades ago. Relive those moments in the next and last composition Har Saans Mein crooned and co-written by Raghu Dixit himself alongside Aslam
Noor. A Sufi based track that
is purely Indian at heart and lasts about seven (7) minutes. Some proficient Jugalbandi of Guitar riffs and Tabla beats
can be heard for about one minute in the interlude which makes you applaud the
talented composer. It has a high 'Repeat' value and is arguably the best of the
lot. Talking about the 'Stop-Motion' technology used in it's
picturisation, it has been first used (First as in Hindi film industry) in
Y-Films debut venture Luv Ka
The End that had a song
named 'Freak Out' which had animation in practically every frame of
its video and same is the case with Har
Saans Mein where the same
technology is being used and it’s looking even better and sharp this time.
Looks like Y-Films have decided to popularise the technology in India. On the
whole, the composition is a must hear with a brilliant video attached to it.
Ram Sampath did it for their debut venture Luv Ka The End and Raghu Dixit carries on the momentum with Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge. There
is nothing groundbreaking or monumental stuff but it still offers something
different and hatke from quintessential Bollywood outings. The choice of
singers for each composition is a brave attempt by the debutant musician who
could have played safe by roping in Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shaan and K.K for some of his tunes. All in All
an intelligent, prepared and skilled soundtrack that should secure some place
in the music directory of all the listeners. Go for it!
