★ ★ 1/2
Prakash Jha is known for his hard-hitting-realistic cinema,his previous ventures had different music directors: Raajneeti(2010)-Pritam,Aadesh Shrivastav,Shantanu Moitra,Wayne Sharp; Aparahan(2005)- Aadesh shrivastav; Gangaajal(2003) -Sandesh Shandiliya.
Prakash Jha's movies are sort of non-musical,he gives very little space for music in his films,Raajneeti super-hit songs Bheegi Si Bhaagi Si and Mora Piya were given very less screen space in the movie.
For Aarakshan,Prakash Jha has used the service of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Prasoon Joshi(who had worked together for movies like Taare Zameen Par and London Dreams to name a few).The album offers 6 tracks with 4 originals,1 solo version and 1 remix.Out of 4 originals,3 have been composed by S-E-L and surprisingly 1 fantastic classical number by lyricist turned musician Prasoon Joshi,who has made his debut as a music director in this movie.
For Aarakshan,Prakash Jha has used the service of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Prasoon Joshi(who had worked together for movies like Taare Zameen Par and London Dreams to name a few).The album offers 6 tracks with 4 originals,1 solo version and 1 remix.Out of 4 originals,3 have been composed by S-E-L and surprisingly 1 fantastic classical number by lyricist turned musician Prasoon Joshi,who has made his debut as a music director in this movie.
The album opens with another soulful number by Mohit Chauhan with Shreya Ghoshal, named Acha Lagta hai.The number is an instant catch due to some brilliant lyrics by Prasoon Joshi,however the way it started,it straight away reminded me Mujhe tum chupke chupke jab aise dekhti ho,Achi lagti ho from the movie Kuch Naa Kaho(2003) composed by S.E.L,But as the song progresses it creates its own aura and carries on to be a decent hear.
Next comes,Mauka sung by 5 singers-Mahalaxmi Iyer,Raman Mahadevan, Tarun, Gaurav, Rehan.Mahalaxmi Iyer made her singing debut with DUS which was S.E.L debut as music directors in 1997,since then she has been the hot favourite for them.This is more of a situational-inspirational track which talks about giving a chanas(chance),a track which will work more with the video.Again the lyrics creates the high-point for the song ,like -Kahi Jeet Milti Nahayi huyi,Talcum chidak kar aayi huyi.
Now sit back,relax and get ready for the only classical composition by Prasoon Joshi in the movie,Kaun Si Dor for which Pt.Channulal mishra and Shreya Ghoshal has lend their voices.Its one of those genre which requires atleast 4 to 5 hearings before it settles down in the memory of the listeners.Prasoon Joshi surprises everyone by his 1st unusual classical masterpiece and Pt.Channulal Mishra,who is one of the greatest and most gifted classical vocalists of India,is brilliant even at the age of 75.Shreya Ghoshal gets an opportunity to showcase her versatility and she has done a brilliant job by standing tall with Pt.Channulal.It will be interesting to see how the song is used in the movie.
The song has another version Saans Albeli ,which is a solo version by Pt.Channulal Mishra .I expected the lyrics to be different in this one but it was same as in the duet version.
The last original song in the album,Roshanee crooned by Shankar Mahadevan himself is a revolutionary track and is very much similar to S.E.L previous tunes in the movie Lakshya(2004) -Paega jo Lakshya hai Tera-The title song and Kandhon se milte hai kandhe. ,especially the way it started and the chorus part in between every stanza.Roshanee is a trademark S.E.L composition which will go well along the narration of the movie and once again Shankar Mahadevan's voice reminds me of Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan at parts.
Mauka-Remix Version disappoints and nothing new to offer apart from some extra beats.
Overall,Aarakshan is more of a situational album(as expected out of Prakash Jha) and apart from Achi Lagti ho,other songs will not have a longer shelf life.Prasoon Joshi is excellent with his pen as always but sadly their combination failed to create the same magic as in Taare Zameen Par.