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Director :
Music :
Lyrics :
Starring : |
Nikhil Advani
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Anvita Dutt
Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia and Hard Kaur.
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By Abid, Glamsham Editorial
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Without an iota of doubt, expectations surmount whenever a filmmaker like Nikhil Advani, who has always been a connoisseur of excellent music, teams up with music giants of the stature of T-Series and so is the case in their latest venture, PATIALA HOUSE. The film stars 'Khiladi' Akshay Kumar whose films have always boasted of chartbusting music and Anushka Sharma who too has been very lucky as far as music of her films is concerned. And it is just a coincidence that the music of both their latest, TEES MAAR KHAN and BAND BAAJA BAARAAT respectively is topping the charts presently. And we are quite sure that their next, PATIALA HOUSE, will follow suit. The reason being the multitalented Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy who have been assigned the task of handling the music department this time too, very much like Nikhil's last three ventures, KAL HO NA HO, SALAAM-E-ISHQ and CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA.
Since the film is about a UK based Sikh family, it's but natural that the music will have heavy Punjabi influences and the very first song, "Laungda Lashkara", is one such number. Hard Kaur, who also features in the film, spices up the mood and sends the tempo racing as she starts the proceedings with her much loved characteristic rap which features intermittently during the whole song and is one of the highlights of the track. Jassi ('Dil Legayi Kudi..' fame) is in cracking form as he renders this very different Punjabi love song, along with the sweet sounding Mahalaxmi Iyer, who modulates her vocals to match Anushka's husky ones. The tune that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy choose is very rhythmic and foot tapping and the arrangements are not too harsh and loud, after all it's SEL and they never go over the top! It's after quite a while that we have had a sweet Punjabi favoured love song that we fall in love with instantly (like in LOVE AAJ KAL), one which leaves the listener asking for more. Anvita Dutt deserves credit for conjuring up lyrics that are not heavy duty and has just the right mix of Punjabi, English and Hindi, yet simple and comprehensible, one which most people can understand without taxing their brains. The remix version "Laungda Lashkara" by Harry Anand is more pacy making the song even more dance oriented targeting the youth and GenX.
All those who have loved S-E-L in their last chartbusting yet classy outing, MY NAME IS KHAN, this one is for them as the next song is pretty much in the same corridor as 'Noor-E-Khuda". Soothing piano notes, just the right precursor that sets up the somber mood and commences the song, "Kyun Main Jaagoon", a semi-philosophical, introspective, soulful number. Shafqat Amanat Ali is excellent as his vocals convey the cry of anguish of the main protagonist played by Akshay Kumar (who not being allowed to pursue his passion) with ease and aplomb.
The soft flowing melody combined with just the right minimal music arrangements, especially the piano interludes, blend seamlessly with the vocals and make this song a pleasure to listen to. Anvita's lyrics once again deserves brownie points as the crux of the film is conveyed easily through some brilliant words- "Mujhe yun hi karke khwabon se juda, Jaane kahan chhup ke baitha hai khuda."
The song also appears in two more versions. First is "Kyun Main Jaagoon" Unplugged and "Kyun Main Jaagoon" Remix. The unplugged version is for those who like things soft, subtle .with minimal music arrangements, just guitar and piano and crystal clear vocals. The remixed version has been handled classily by Asia Dub Foundation and converts the soft soothing number into a happening track, fit enough for clubs and discotheques.
The title "Rola Pe Gaya" was just an indication that we were in for some rollicking fun in the upcoming track and how right we were because this song has everything that we were expecting and even more! The start is a bit misleading as one gets the impression of a traditional Punjabi 'mehdi' wedding number, but Hard Kaur puts things right on track with her superb rap. With S-E-L's "Where's The Party Tonight" (KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA-2006) still popular, here is the follow up to the iconic party number as Shankar gets behind the mike for this fun celebratory track, and one is forced to jive, such is the groovy rhythm of the 'dhamaal' track. Master Saleem, Earl and Mahalaxmi Iyer join in the fun with renditions that exude energy. Shades of Lata's evergreen "Rangeela Re" is very evident but the way SEL have used it to suit their style is commendable.
There was no need for a remix version and "Rola Pe Gaya Remix" by Harry Anand can be called space filler but the fun continues here as well so one does not mind at all.
Soft guitar strums evoke feelings of timeless romance as the next song "Aadat Hai Voh" unfolds and this song is nothing short of a marvel, and the reason is that SEL have not followed a beaten path as seemed from the start. The song has contrasting shades of soft love ballad converging into a superb hard rock crescendo and a back up chorus, which is absolutely mind-boggling, a tad, Vishal Bhardwaj style. And after SEL it's our rocker Vishal Dadlani who deserves kudos for an excellent rendition, superlative control over his vocals and magical voice modulations, from soft to husky. Just brilliant. Lyrics too are very good, "Usko banane wala kuch kuch toh behka hoga, Jab bhi padi hogi uspe nazar". A number one can hear over and over again until it becomes an 'aadat'.
Suraj Jagan and Alyssa Mendonsa come behind the microphone for "Baby When You Talk To Me" which is a classy and clever fusion of soft rock (reminiscent of Beatles /Elvis era) and typical SEL melody and they succeed in their effort of providing thorough entertainment. The highlight of the track is the main chorus, "Baby when you talk to me, Manzil mili gali gali" which is also the 'mukhda' of the song and as one can make out a light hearted fun filled love ditty. The song also appears as a remix version by Andrew T Mackay (produced and mixed by Shantanu Huldikar) and it's even better than the original. More zing, more fun!
Renowned Punjabi 'sufi' singer, Hans Raj Hans(of Dil Tote Tote fame) continues the celebrations in his usual grand style as we come across another wedding track, "Tumba Tumba" (Tumba - A musical instrument, a plucked spike lute used in rural Punjabi folk songs) that sounds straight out of Sooraj Barjatya films (read HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN). The composition is partly sung in the 'qawwali' mode, and that is the best part about this song. Lyrics are full of humour and in parts a bit Punjabish, especially the start, but the rest of the song has simple wordings that fit in the situation, and one can imagine the whole setting of the song through the wordings. Indian musical instruments like 'sitar', ektara' and also harmonium have been used to good effect.
Last up is "Aval Allah", a very popular Sikh devotional song (hymn), which provides just the right finish to a classy album. A brief soul cleansing, spiritually enlighting number that sends the strong message of equality of all and is rendered superbly by Richa Sharma, whose strong and clear vocals are picture perfect for this track. The Shabad Gurbani, "Aval Allah noor upaaeiaa, Kudrat ke sab bandey, Ek noor te sab jag upajaiaa, Koun bhalae ko mande?" Roughly translated it means, "First Allah / Almighty created the light, then by his creative power, he made all mortal beings. From one light, the entire universe welled up, so who is good and who is bad?"
To sum up, one is spellbound as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy prove once again that whenever they have been entrusted with the task of composing for a big project they always rise to the occasion and deliver the goods. Last year it was Shah Rukh Khan's MY NAME IS KHAN, where they showed their class and versatility, and they have come out with flying colours once again in case of PATIALA HOUSE. Our favourites are "Laungda Lashkara, "Kyun Main Jaagoon" and "Aadat Hai Voh". Definitely an album worth procuring and savouring!
Rating - 4/5
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