Music Album Details ♪ Music by: Sanjeev-Ajay, Rahul Jain, Siddhant Madhav, Amjad-Nadeem-Aamir, Kashi Richard & Yo Yo Honey Singh ♪ Lyrics by: Amjad-Nadeem, Enbee, Lil Golu, Sanjeev Chaturvedi & Alok Ranjan Jha ♪ Music Label: Zee Music Company ♪ Music Released On: 12th July 2019 ♪ Movie Released On: 19th July 2019
Jhootha Kahin Ka is a Bollywood comedy film starring Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Omkar Kapoor and Sunny Singh in lead roles. The film is directed by Smeep Kang and produced by Anuj Sharma and Deepak Mukut. The film has music by Amjad-Nadeem and their new partner Aamir, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Siddhant Madhav, Sanjeev-Ajay, Rahul Jain and Kashi Richard. I’ve known about Amjad-Nadeem for years, and they have some decent songs, so expecting something worthwhile from them. Not expecting from Honey Singh, and Siddhant Madhav, Rahul Jain, and Kashi Richard, I’ve read their names in passing in some Zee Music albums which I haven’t reviewed or heard. So, let’s see what this album has to offer.
Amjad-Nadeem-Aamir’s Saturday Night happens to be Neeraj Shridhar’s second one with that name, the former being from ‘Bangistan’, composed by Ram Sampath. While in that song, Sampath fused club beats with Celtic sounds, here we get an annoying mix of overused club beats with the intermittent tumbi sounds. Neeraj Shridhar isn’t bad at singing such songs, so the vocals don’t annoy as much as they would’ve with another singer. The rap by Enbee is utterly avoidable, and the female singer Jyotica Tangri barely gets anything to sing. Do we have to talk about the lyrics by Amjad-Nadeem? Funk Love by Yo Yo Honey Singh has the quintessential Honey Singh beats that have been missing from Bollywood for some time, and Lil Golu’s lyrics, something else that has been missing in Bollywood for quite some time. And after listening to the song, you know why. Though the beats start off quite intriguingly (though there’s nothing new, but that’s just Yo Yo’s forte, I guess) the vocals and lyrics make you cringe all throughout the song. Especially the title lyrics. Which do not sound like ‘Funk Love’ at all.
Out of Sanjeev-Ajay’s two songs, they collaborate with Siddhant Madhav for Munde Da Character, which starts with interesting Punjabi folk sounds created digitally, as can be made out from the sound of it. Brijesh Shandilya handles the vocals of the mukhda and the hookline well, and is accompanied by a horde of other vocalists (Siddhant Madhav, Rani Indrani Sharma, Nazim Ali, Deepak Yadav and Makrand Patankar) who mostly come into action in the antaras. The female vocalist, Rani Sharma, sounds great particularly, in the second antara. The composition is catchy, and thanks to the fresh Punjabi arrangements, it is a song I don’t mind listening to in its entirety, unlike the previous two songs on the album. Sanjeev Chaturvedi’s lyrics are also suitable and how lyrics for a normal Bollywood song should be.
Sanjeev-Ajay’s other song, Jhootha Kahin Ka, is composed in collaboration with Rahul Jain. Again, it starts with a heard-before but catchy Punjabi tumbi piece, which later is joined by harmonium, dholaks and Navraj Hans’ strong voice. The song carries a sound close to Gurdas Mann’s pop numbers, and thanks to Navraj Hans’ vocals, it sounds better. Rahul Jain and Ankit Saainraj accompany him with the vocals, but it is mostly a Navraj show all the way. The hookline is quite weak, and the lyrics (Sanjeev Chaturvedi) too are functional and nothing more.
The last song on the album, Jugni, is another song with club beats, and starts like a Yo Yo Honey Singh song, but it is actually composed by Kashi Richard. Yes, the beats are catchy here, and Enbee doesn’t irritate as much as he did in ‘Saturday Night’. The beats engage you throughout the length of the song, and the four singers, (Enbee, Kapil Thapa, Rohit Sharma and Chintan Bakiwala) though you can’t really differentiate one from the other, seem to have done a good job because the end result sounds good. The hookline has been composed in that typical designed-to-be-annoyingly-catchy way, but the beats and the ‘kadak maamla‘ refrain help the song get my green signal.
Not an album I’ll revisit again for any reason, because none of the songs stuck with me, but I would remember it for the way it is so typical with its beats, in both its club songs and Punjabi songs.
Total Points Scored by This Album: 5 + 2 + 7 + 5.5 + 6 = 25.5
Album Percentage: 51%
Final Rating for This Album: सा < रे < ग < म < प < ध < नी < सां
Note: The letter which is underlined is the final rating.
Recommended Listening Order: Munde Da Character > Jugni > Jhootha Kahin Ka > Saturday Night > Funk Love
Which is your favourite song from Jhootha Kahin Ka? Please vote for it below! Thanks! 🙂
Music Album Details ♪ Music by: Niladri Kumar & Lalit Pandit ♪ Lyrics by: Kapil Sibal, Sameer Anjaan & Alok Ranjan Jha ♪ Music Label: Zee Music Company ♪ Music Released On: 13th June 2016 ♪ Movie Releases On: 24th June 2016
Shorgul Album Cover
Hear the full songs of this album on YouTube:
Shorgulis an upcoming Bollywood thriller drama starring Jimmy Sheirgill, Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Suri, Narendra Jha, Hiten Tejwani, Eijaz Khan, Aniruddh Dave & Suha Gezen. The film is directed by Jitendra Tiwari & P. Singh, and produced by Swatantra Vijay Singh & Vyas Verma. The music has been composed by veteran music composer Lalit Pandit, of the Jatin-Lalit duo. After parting ways with his brother, Jatin Pandit, their last memorable work being ‘Fanaa’, Lalit has composed for many films like ‘Besharam’, ‘Dulha Mil Gaya’, ‘Spark’, ‘Life Mein Kabhie Kabhiee’ and of course, his most memorable solo work, ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ from ‘Dabangg’. The composer has composed three songs out of four, for the album, and I’m looking forward to hear what he has to offer. Behind the fourth track, (technically the first, according to the track listing) is the hand of the famous Indian sitar player, classical and fusion musician, Niladri Kumar, as guest composer. He has worked with many Bollywood music directors such as A.R. Rahman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Pritam, M.M. Kreem, Vishal Bhardwaj & Sajid-Wajid. The sitars and zitars you heard in songs like ‘Chup Chup Ke’ (Bumty Aur Babli), ‘Alvida’ (Life In A… Metro), ‘Crazy Kiya Re’ (Dhoom 2), ‘Dagabaaz Re’ (Dabangg 2), ‘Dheere Jalna’ (Paheli) and ‘Naina Thag Lenge’ (Omkara), have been played by this very maestro. Having played in such noteworthy songs for so many years, the man has decided to come to the forefront by composing for this movie, his first song in a Bollywood album. His first album was for the Kannada movie ‘Niruttara’, whose songs released just about a week ago. The mere names of the composers have drawn me towards this album, and so I’m expecting a lot from it. Let us see how much shor-gul (publicity/noise/excitement) this album is able to create!!
1. Tere Bina
Singer ~ Arijit Singh, Backing Vocals by ~ Awaaz Children’s Choir & Jonita Gandhi, Music by ~ Niladri Kumar, Lyrics by ~ Kapil Sibal
The album is started off by the sitar maestro, Niladri Kumar. Niladri very aptly ropes in Arijit Singh to sing his song, which is a scintillating love ballad with all the right notes put together perfectly into a soothing blend, resulting in a calm and lovely romantic song. Naturally, the song is totally raaga-based, and with Niladri on board, this was expected. The composer has created a very lulling and tranquil atmosphere, something that will calm you down so much, that you will forget all of your stress, and just drown into the sea of the music. The raaga-inspired, very mature, composition reminds me of earlier this year’s ‘Sab Dhan Maati’ (Jai Gangaajal), which was also raaga-based, and sung by Arijit, but was conceptualised by Salim-Sulaiman. Anyway, before I go off on a tangent, the soothing composition lulls you to sleep, and at the same time, refreshes you so much. The arrangements are beautiful, blissful and heavenly. Nothing better could have been expected. Piano leads gracefully, while wonderful synthetic beats help to give you a beat to tap your feet and snap your fingers to. Of course, Niladri has placed wonderful zitars throughout the song, and this is what makes it sound ever-so-euphoric. The strings (violins) graciously support the backing arrangements. Guitars (Warren Mendonsa) are easy to miss, but do well in their portions. What’s special about the song is the polished voice of Arijit Singh, who hasn’t really sung such a beautiful song since a long time. His classical training has paid off here, and he stuns with the effortlessness with which he has sung the minute details and nuances in the song. What’s more, the makers of the film have employed a choir of underprivileged girls, trained by Arjun Nair, Prince Mulla, Jennifer Bansode and Samira Kelkar for not less and not more than 30 days, after which they got to feature in the same track as Arijit. What is more godlike than giving underprivileged kids a chance to feature on a Bollywood song? This was a great step played by the makers of the movie, and the girls sound awesome in the track; they sing both in the beginning as well as towards the end of the song. Jonita as a backing vocalist, doesn’t have much scope to shine, but if you pay attention, she sounds perfect with her classical rendition, and it has left me longing for a solo version by her! Kapil Sibal, on his third Bollywood film as lyricist after “Bandook” and “Dilli Gang”, writes beautiful lyrics, and must think of becoming a full-time Bollywood composer! 😀 The words are like a ghazal and sound ravishing. Something that has given me the goosebumps, something that will do nothing but surprise you a lot! Arijit’s top-class rendition of Niladri’s invigorating composition makes this song a#5StarHotelSong!!
2. Shaam O Seher
Singer ~ Vishal Mishra, Music by ~ Lalit Pandit, Lyrics by ~ Sameer AnjaanLalit steps into the album with the next song, another romantic song. This time, the song has signs of a budding romance. Its light and happy-go-lucky mood tells you that. The innocence of the romance contrasts the mature romantic song that we heard just before this. lalit does quite well with the composition, considering that he was a composer in the 90s, and most of them have not evolved with time. However, Lalit has evolved, and that is evident the breeze of fresh air which is this song. The composition is easy on the ears and it easy for a typical Bollywood listener to get attracted to it, as well as the ones wanting something different. The hookline is really breezy. The arrangements are pleasant as well, with the regular, but functional combination of guitars and strings to set up the romantic atmosphere. Beats are synthetic here as well, and sound good. The rhythm is a pleasant one, which instantly makes you move to it. The whistling at the end sounds very cute, as well. The singer, Vishal Mishra, is perfect with his rendition. He sounds like Jubin Nautiyal at places, Ash King at other places, Javed Ali at others, and even Arijit sometimes, yet his voice appeals to the ears. Sameer’s lyrics are on the typical Bollywood lines, with the hookline going into very templated territory. Nevertheless, the composition makes everything valid. A pleasing and innocent romantic song, which is fortunately NOT sung by Shaan!!!!#5StarHotelSong!!
3. Mast Hawa
Singer ~ Pratibha Singh Baghel, Music by ~ Lalit Pandit, Lyrics by ~ Kapil Sibal
The third song on the album is a bigger evidence of how much Lalit has evolved to match up to the current generation. Lalit has tried to present a song that would normally have been given a desi touch with dhols, and the like, in a totally different manner. He has given a hip-hop touch, which turns out to be a saviour for an otherwise average song. The composition makes it clear that it is an item song, but the arrangements totally contradict its nature. The composition is very amateurish, with the hookline repeating for over half of its duration. The mukhda is formed by the hookline repeating for an infinite number of times, and the antara fails to gain our attention. The hip-hop beats will remind you of Salim-Sulaiman’s ‘Dance Pe Chance’ (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi). However, the arrangements are what makes the song listenable at least once. Lalit has infused a beautiful techno-desi fusion and tried something new, something I think he has never tried before. The techno sounds are what get you grooving, and the very captivating flute entraps you. The guitars provide a nice riff in the antaras. The second interlude is stolen by a harmonium, which is very appealing. Pratibha renders the composition quite decently. I mean, there is no other way she could’ve sung it, so it works, though it isn’t excellent. She is better in soft songs, I feel. I also feel this was a song Lalit must’ve made keeping Sunidhi in mind. Kapil’s lyrics are not so good here, so I don’t know if he should still take up the idea of being a full-time lyricist. Arrangements save the song, which otherwise suffers from a weak composition, lyrics and vocals!
4. Baroodi Hawa
Singer ~ Aishwarya Nigam, Music by ~ Lalit Pandit, Lyrics by ~ Alok Ranjan Jha
After a ‘Mast Hawa’, here comes the ‘Baroodi Hawa’. The song isn’t really like its title. On reading the title, I was under the impression that the song is an upbeat number. If you look at it, it is one, but not in the way you must be thinking. The song is a pathos-filled rock number, full of melancholia. The composition is yet again, quite decent, but not exactly instantly appealing, either. The pace is pretty slow for it to make an impact, but it definitely makes you emotional for as long as it plays. The arrangements are common Bhatt arrangements with rock guitars, drums and intense percussion. A backing choir impresses in the song. Aishwarya, a singer who I’ve heard mostly singing upbeat desi songs for Lalit, like ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’ (Dabangg) and ‘Tere Mohalle’ (Besharam), has moulded himself into this mode for the first time, and actually does great!! However, here he doesn’t sound as much like his namesake, Sonu Nigam, as he did in every other song he sang. The hookline isn’t too imposing, but it isn’t appealing at all. Alok’s lyrics are pretty good, though. They carry the melancholia to the listener very well. The song as a whole serves its purpose and I have to admit that, but it lacks in the composition and innovation department! Still, a pleasant song from Lalit! Not bad, but not great. Quite decent.
Shorgul has a surprise enclosed in the form of a wonderful classical gem by sitarist Niladri Kumar. He scores full marks with his single song on the album. Lalit Pandit, too performs decently, but he has undercooked the songs just a bit, otherwise, they would’ve turned out great as well. The silent songs in this album, would make more ‘shorgul’ as opposed to the ones that should!
Final Rating for This Album: सा < रे < ग < म < प< ध < नी < सां
Note: The letter which is underlined is the final rating.
Recommended Listening Order: Tere Bina > Shaam O Seher > Baroodi Hawa > Mast Hawa
Which is your favourite song from Shorgul? Please vote for it below! Thanks! 🙂
Music Mastani 