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| Director :
| Karan Malhotra
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| Music :
| Ajay Gogavale-Atul Gogavale
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| Lyrics :
| Amitabh Bhattacharya
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| Starring :
| Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt
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By Abid, Glamsham Editorial
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No doubt expectations and anticipation are sky high from any music album that bears the label of a premier production house like Dharma Productions as they have delivered some memorable soundtracks for their films. However it has been mostly those films that have been directed by Karan Johar that have seen some high quality music and the same consistency has not been shown in films being directed by outside directors (barring a rare DOSTANA). In fact their last outing (with an outside director at the helm of affairs!), WE ARE FAMILY, was quite an average sounding album. But with Karan Johar taking an active interest in AGNEEPATH, along with the fact that it stars one of the hottest superstar, Hrithik Roshan, and brings back the talented duo, Ajay-Atul, who have shown that they can handle the big canvas as well (SINGHAM), keeps the expectation flag flying high, for the music of this cult classic remake! So let us check out for ourselves how Ajay-Atul cross this line of fire (Agneepath) and whether they deliver yet another blockbuster this time!
The album sees a bombastic start with 'Chikni Chameli', the item number that has been the talk of Bollywood and its patrons ever since it's picturisation on the audience's numero-uno actress, Katrina Kaif. Her electrifying 'Koli' dance (which is a dance form of Koli fishing community of Maharashtra) moves choreographed to perfection by Ganesh Acharya are simply awesome and one is left spellbound by her dance maneuvers and it would not be an exaggeration to say that this is one of the best 'Koli' dance numbers in recent times. The song and especially Katrina's get up is reminiscent of legendary dancing queen and Bollywood's first item girl, Helen's iconic 'Mungda' (INKAAR) and it's a certainty that the house would come down (and a few chairs broken!) when the song is screened on 26th January. As is known the dance number has been recreated as well as refurbished in Hindi from Ajay-Atul's very own super hit composition, 'Kombadi Palali' from the Marathi film, JATRA. The electrifying dance number is very earthy, very raw and rustic and naturally all Marathi in its origin yet it's very universally appealing and that is because of its superb racy rhythm that just grips the listeners and just never slackens the pace. The fun continues even in the 'antara' and just never let's go. Shreya Ghoshal continues from where she left in 'Ooh La La' and in fact goes a step ahead with her 'bindaas' emotive, seductive rendition. And of course the new age lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya has done a splendid job of providing just the proper words which would suit the super racy rhythm as well as blend harmoniously with the on screen attitude and image of Katrina. Needless to add, a chartbuster all the way!
Highly talented singer Roop Kumar Rathod returns to the centre stage after quite a long time with a brief track, 'O Saiyaan', the last time that one remembers him was for Shah Rukh Khan's memorable love ditty, 'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai' (RAB NE BANA DI JODI), and this number too is a love ballad. The emphasis is more on Roop's silk smooth vocals as composers provide minimal music arrangements in the background, almost like an unplugged version. The piano beats, 'sitar', 'tabla' and the soothing orchestra which culminates in a superb crescendo will be loved and appreciated by the discerning music lovers, although its' slow drawl rhythm may prove to be a deterrent.
The next number introduces the female protagonist and provides a perfect sketch into her personality with this 'full of life composition', 'Gun Guna Re' and if one does not see the credits one can easily mistake it for a Rahman-Gulzar number. Yes, that is a compliment not only to the composers, who despite being inspired have provided their own touch to the number, but lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya as well as his similes about living life on one's own terms and not giving up in difficult times is excellent. 'Zindagi ke ration mein, Gham ka kota zyada hai, Black mein kharidege khushi ka pitara re.' Sunidhi is just the right singer for this 'full on attitude' song and Udit Narayan's (Udit where were you all these years!) brief stint towards the end adds 'chaar chaand' to the number.
'Shah Ka Rutba' can in a nutshell be classified as a 'sufi-qawwali' sung at 'dargahs' and shrines of 'sufi' saints, but this is more of a situational number which is retro in its origin and not the contemporary kinds popular these days. The era of the seventies and eighties is recreated here with the musical arrangements a throwback to the 'Pathani' (read Afghani) music and two songs that come straight to mind is 'Yaari Hai Imaan Mera' (ZANJEER) and the title song from QURBANI. Having said that, this number still delivers a straight six over the bowler's head because of the superb rendition by three extremely talented artists and masters in their own rights -Sukhwinder Singh (who does the bulk of singing), Krishna Beura and Anand Raaj Anand. Lyrics are situational but at times (especially the Urdu parts) may be difficult to comprehend by the average cinegoer (read masses) which is the target audience here.
CHECK OUT: Is Katrina Kaif's Chikni Chameli hottest item song?
The king of romantic numbers Sonu Nigam proves yet again why he is the best in business with 'Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin', a love ballad that serenades and caresses the senses and lingers on even after it ends. Though there is once again a distinct Rahman touch, especially in the tune and the absolutely mesmerizing crescendo, but yet again Ajay-Atul delight with their usage of philharmonic orchestra touches and traditional instruments like 'Jaltarang' which sets up a serenely romantic atmosphere around the composition and makes the song worth its weight in gold.
The album closes with just the right number, 'Deva Shree Ganesha', which is naturally a devotional number rendered to perfection by Ajay Gogavale who sounds so much like Sukhwinder here with just the right kind of emotive high pitched singing. A few have mistaken this number for a 'Ganesh Stuti' sung during 'aartis' before the commencement of the actual 'puja', but this is actually a song sung during the Ganesh 'yatra' (procession) that takes place during the Ganesh festival when the idols are taken for immersion. The use of 'shankhs', chants , 'dhol', 'nagada' beats and a superb racy rhythm along with some apt situational lyrics sung in praise of God and the absolutely thrilling climax, which is the culmination point, sets up a massive tempo that provides the album with just the right finish and also floors the audience hook line and sinker!
Summing up, the Rahman of Marathi films, Ajay-Atul, have definitely done a splendid job in providing songs that are not just in keeping up with the mood and tempo of the film but they are very commercial and mass pleasing as well. With '
Chikni Chamelii' providing the album with just the right thrust required for a successful outing and songs like 'Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin' and 'Shah Ka Rutba' and also 'Deva Shree Ganesha' (especially in the Maratha belt), there is not an iota of doubt that the album will be a resounding success and will definitely help the film open to packed houses when it releases on 26th January!
Rating : 3.5/5
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