Cast : Akshay Kumar, Neha Dhupia, Javed Jaffrey, Kamal Chopra, Manoj Pahwa, Yashpal Sharma, Kiron Kher, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey, Om Puri, Sudhanshu Pandey, Sonu Sood, Chayan Sarkar, Brad McMurray
Directed by : Anees Bazmee
Producer : Vipul Shah
Music Director : Pritam
Lyricist : Mayur Puri
Release Date : 8 August 2008
Undoubtedly SINGH IS KINNG is one of the biggest films of the year and the fourth venture from Vipul Shah, after a hat trick of hits, all featuring Akshay Kumar - AAKHEIN, WAQT RACE AGAINST TIME and NAMASTEY LONDON. However, unlike the previous occasions, this time around its director Anees Bazmee who is at the helm of affairs. Most of the earlier films by Vipul did not have high quality music to boast of, though NAMASTEY LONDON (by Himesh Reshammiya) had some lovely, melodious numbers. Since SINGH IS KINNG is an out and out entertainer, lucky music director Pritam has been roped in to compose the music. Pritam is undoubtedly the unofficial numero uno composer today, coming in after a series of hits like JAB WE MET, BHOOL BHULAIYYA, RACE and JANNAT. However to some it may seem (after KISMET KONNECTION) that there is an over dose of Pritam. So let us see what the overworked but extremely lucky music director has to offer in this very prestigious project.
Certainly the most talked about number before the launch of the album, the title track, 'Singh Is Kinng' truly befits the hype behind it. The composition that has the likes of famous American rapper Snoop Dogg, Britain's popular bhangra band RDB and Akshay himself (quite a decent singer after many stints during stage shows). The composers here are Calvin Broadus along with Surjeet Singh, Manjeet Ral and Kuljeet Ral. The song commences with Snoop Dogg introducing himself and other artists; Akshay and RDB, in his own popular style. The track is all 'Punjabi', mixed with English rap, and it's only natural as the film has a singing and dancing Sardar as the lead protagonist. The rap by Snoop Dogg and the repeated 'mukhda', 'Singh Is Kinng' certainly elevates the song to a different level and the arrangements are top notch, to say the least. There is also a reference to the much talked about diamonds worn by Akshay.
After the superlative title track, it's Pritam all way and he starts off with 'Jee Karda'. It commences with a nice electronic guitar rhythm and some good blend of English and Hindi combo singing by Suzie Q. The number is another bhangra based dance track which is totally inspired by Punjabi folk. And so Labh Janjua, (PARTNER) has been roped in to render this number, which also has a 70-style touch to it ( a la Asa Singh Mastana). Rarely used traditional instrument like 'ektara' and also 'manjira' lend novelty value. The song itself is nice and sweet and its picturisation amongst the ancient Egyptian pyramids enhances the song further and it would be a treat to watch on the big screen..
'Jee Karda-Remix' by Hyacinth is a mere space filler and not much care has been taken by the arrangers to make it different. Just faster rhythm and higher tempo and beats that in a way reduce the ethnic Mastana touch!
The king crooner of title numbers, Neeraj Sridhar has been assigned the task of delivering the rollicking 'Bas Ek King' and he has Ashish Pandit, the Bhangra-pop queen, Hard Kaur and Daler's younger brother, Mika Singh to support him in his endeavour. The first version, 'Bas Ek Kinng', has a deadly, lazy rhythm, continuing till the end of the track, one which certainly is an entertainer. The early rap portions and the 'mukhda' itself is quite infectious and have a lot of repeat value. Though the last part of the 'mukhda', which has gained immense popularity (especially amongst children and youth) is inspired by Sridevi's 'Na Jaane Kahaan Se Aayi Hai' from CHAALBAAZ ( Laxmi-Pyare). The rap and reggae portions have been effectively handled by Hard 'Glassy' Kaur, who is certainly here to stay. Her voice has the kind of attitude required for singing these types of tracks. Mika and Neeraj (his voice structure is similar to Akshay's and he sounds so much like him!) combine well and convey that feeling of royalty through their full of attitude and style singing. It may not be a musical gem but it surely has all the right ingredients to end up as a chartbuster and provide for a thumping opening to the film.'Bas Ek Kinng- Tiger Style Remix' is more 'Punjabish' in nature, though the deadly, lazy rhythm (which formed the crux of the original) is missing, as the tempo has been heightened. The remix by Glasgow based Raj and Pops (popularly called Tiger style), commences with a nice, albeit heard before ('Gal Ban Gayee' -Sukhbir) synthesized rhythm, which forms the backbone of the track. Even the rap portions by Hard Kaur are different and a good job can be seen here. This remix is certainly 'gonna blow the lid off' man'!