Cast : Shahrukh Khan and introducing Anushka Sharma
Written & Directed by : Aditya Chopra
Producer : Yash Chopra & Aditya Chopra
Music Director : Salim - Sulaiman
Lyrics By: Jaideep Sahni
Release Date : 12 December 2008
The scion of the Yashraj Films empire, the selective maverick director Aditya Chopra, teaming up once again with superstar Shah Rukh Khan and that after the trendsetting DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE (still running in Bombay!) and the iconic MOHABBATEIN. Can the stage get any bigger? The obvious answer to that question will be given on December 12, for that is the date when the latest Aditya-SRK project, RAB NE BANA DI JODI will hit the screens, globally. For now, its time to check out the audio album, which this time around has Salim-Sulaiman and Jaideep Sahni, unlike Jatin Lalit and (late) Anand Bakhshi on the previous occasions. So let's press the 'play' button on the remote. And what do we have?
Lovely soothing 'santoor' sounds along with table play and 'payal' or bead sounds commence the most awaited romantic number of the year 'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai' and it has been rendered by Roop Kumar Rathod. A surprising choice indeed but it has been done purposely because Rathod has a mature yet sensitive voice which suits the character of the simpleton, Surinder Sawhney, played by Shah Rukh Khan. And one must add here that Roop Kumar Rathod is brilliant as his effortless, flawless rendition (ah, his perfect diction is a delight) is highlighted due to some highly emotive singing. The superb love ballad has a nice, simple tune which is very hummable and borders mostly on its smooth flowing melody. It will definitely be loved by patrons of soft romantic songs. The highlights of the track are its beautiful lyrics by master craftsman Jaideep Sahni which take the song to a totally new level. Absolutely brilliant! Some might call the lyrics filmy, 'Tujh mein rab dikhta hai, Yaara main kya karoon, Sajde sar jhukta hai, Yaara main kya karoon', but its the ultimate form of expression for the beloved depicting the profound feeling of pure , unselfish love . And the song is capable of moving the listener as it grows with repeated hearing. It will certainly feature as a Valentine gift for all 'in love' couple, such is the overall effect of the number!
The slower version of 'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai' is sung by the upcoming nightingale of Hindi cinema, Shreya Ghoshal and needless to add that she is simply magnificent here. What must be kept in mind that the slower version has limited props like background music and beats (they have been kept to the minimal), only Shreya's syrupy sweet (deliberately) quivering vocals stand out, loud and clear, and it is a delight to the ears. The song will most probably be used as a background number in a situational mode (when Anushka realizes her true love for Shah Rukh?). From one beautiful romantic escapade lets move on to another beautifully haunting love ballad 'Haule Haule'. This is one number that we promise, even Shah Rukh Khan's adversaries will fall in love with. The simple melody is absolutely bewitching and the song takes the listeners in its grips, 'haule haule' (slowly, slowly). Yes, that's the beauty of the composition. Initially, it does strike as another sweet, simple to hum love song but slowly and surely it has the power to capture the heart. Its magic lies is in its simplicity, there is no massive orchestration to support it's cause, nor are there any flamboyant musical arrangements. The composers rely mostly on the simple melody with harmonium (may be even bandonion) and sitar playing a large part in its arrangements. Sukhwinder and SRK have always created magic (from 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' to 'Dard-e-Disco') and this time its no different. Sukhi is just marvelous and intelligently keeps his earthy, highly energetic vocals low key. The reason being that this time he gets to sing an all out romantic number and he proves his versatility by coming up with a perfect ace down the middle! Just like the previous number, the lyricist Jaideep Sahni once again deserves all the accolades (may be even more) for some lovely, effective lyrics. The similes that he uses are simply fantastic and the prose superb. 'Haule haule se hawa chalti hai, haule haule se dawa lagti hai, Haule haule se dua lagti hai na, Haule haule chanda badhta hai, Haule haule ghoonghat udhta hai, Haule haule se nasha chadhta hai na.' The moment the promos of the same were unleashed across major satellite channels on King Khan's birthday, the infectious number captivated the hearts of all die hard romantics and music lovers. Needless to add that the song has chartbuster written all over it what with SRK doing his cute little steps that have become a rage (so early on!) even amongst school going children.Bombastic disco beats and organ sounds commence a rather zany dance number 'Dance Pe Chance', a totally situational track that is aimed at entertaining the masses. The situation is rather funny too as the female protagonist played by Anushka Sharma is trying to teach a nerd or a geek (Surinder Sawhney) played by Shah Rukh Khan to dance. Sunidhi is in top form as always and puts in her hundred percent in providing zest and energy to a number that is totally time pass. Labh Janjua, the unofficial number one in Punjabi bhangra numbers (after PARTNER and SINGH IS KINNG) does what he is best at, sing all the parts carrying , age old evergreen typical Punjabi folk numbers like 'Kali Teri Choti'. The culmination or fusion of both (Western and typical Punjabi) the forms of music is well done and will be a treat to watch on screen (if picturised properly) when Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka take centre stage and do their own stuff. The song is in the same corridor as 'Jodi hamari jamega kaise jaani' (AULAAD) featuring ace comedian, the late Mehmood. The lyrics by Jaideep Sahni are in keeping with the situation of the song and Jaideep needs to be commended yet again on how easy he makes dancing steps with his simple, yet effective wordings. The only lowdown is Salim Sulaiman's oft repeated tune (Kya Khoob Lagti Ho inspired) although they have tried to camouflage it through some lively musical arrangements in the background.
If Shah Rukh Khan's last blockbuster release OM SHANTI OM had 'Deewangi' featuring (almost) all the top stars of Bollywood, here is another one 'Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte' . The song is a tribute to some of the superstars of yesteryears like the original showman, Raj Kapoor, evergreen hero Dev Anand, Shammi 'Yahoo' Kapoor, Kaka or Babu Moshai, Rajesh Khanna and Rishi Kapoor. Helping him in his endeavour SRK has the support and company of some of the most beautiful top actresses of our times like Kajol, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta and others. While we have seen mix and match of golden hits from yesteryear (as Antakshri in HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN), what is striking about the song is that Aditya has allowed the talented duo, Salim Sulaiman to do their own innovative stuff. As a result only snatches of songs and titles of films as well as parts of theme music from the respective stars' rich repertoire has been taken and gelled mellifluously into a totally new and lively tune. And the only one who could have done justice to such a unique number was the singer par excellence, Sonu Nigam, who has performed brilliantly using voice modulations and innovative rendition. We are quite sure that the number is going to be a highlight sequence of the film and considering its Badshah Khan at the helm of affairs (he has done this before, in his stage shows, where he has paid tribute to the legends) this number is sure going to rock on-screen.
'Dancing Jodi' appears to be an instrumental version of 'Dance Pe Chance' in the beginning but later it turns out to be a theme song with a few songs of the film appearing one by one. Salim - Sulaiman are good arrangers and they have done a really good job in creating a potpourri of all the songs. The songs that feature here are 'Dance Pe Chance', 'Haule Haule' and 'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai' and they have been beautifully arranged with lovely orchestra and some superb re-singing by the artists. Infact the songs have been remixed to give the desired dancing effect. The composition will prove to be a good performance oriented number for Shah Rukh Khan to perform in his stage shows. The number looks as if it has been specially created for that purpose and should serve as a promotional song too.
So what is the verdict? If you have loved Raj crooning 'Tujhe Dekha To Ye Jaana Sanam' in 1995 and five years down the line, you were still in love with him and many (female fans) implored him 'Humko Hamin Se Chura Lo' there is no reason why you should not let a now mature Raj, masquerading as Surinder Sawhney (but still romantic at heart!), telling you in 2008 'Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta hai..' in his trademark (still) charming way, though rather ' Haule Haule!' To sum it up, unlike the up-market NRI menu (with respect for Indian traditions and culture) that Aditya Chopra served on the previous two occasions, this time around he has gone in for a Hrishikesh Mukherjee/Rajshri type deal and the music could not have been better, as will be proved during the next few weeks!