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Barkhaa Music Review

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The music of Barkhaa has been released less than a week before the film hits the theatres. If not for its lead actors Sara Loren (Kajraare, Murder 3) and Taaha Shah (Luv Ka The End, Gippy), this obscure film would have failed to attract any attention whatsoever. The music is by Amjad-Nadeem (Angel, Sonali Cable) who just like their cousins Sajid-Wajid, have shown a flair for songs with a touch of Indian melody. The lyrics have been written by Sameer Anjaan and Shadab Akhtar.

“Naughty No.1” is a generic dance number that remind one of the kind of sound Pritam employed in his earlier compositions. The tune is very predictable and the lyrics are nothing to rave about either. Sameer Anjaan’s lines could have worked a decade back but a phrase like “Kiss Karna Chahein Sab Main Aisi Cutie Hoon” come across as silly in today’s times. Neha Kakkar seems to be getting stereotyped in such dance numbers but she does a commendable job.

The Sajid-Wajid influence is evident in “Tu Itni Khoobsurat Hai”. In fact, one catches a waft of Nadeem-Shravan’s style of music as well. The composition is far from being extraordinary but is sufficiently engaging. The orchestral arrangements are largely Indian with some good use of guitars and violin. Much of the credit for that goes to Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s terrific rendition. The lyrics are good as Shadab Akhtar uses some chaste Urdu words to good effect.

The prelude of “Pehli Dafa” consists of an interesting guitar piece which follows Sonu Nigam’s voice as the singer puts his heart into this average number. The song has a late 90s to early 2000s feel. The music leaves a lot to be desired even though the composers incorporate some Pahari folk elements in it.

Sadly, “Lafze Bayaan” is no better as it rests on a superficial tune that gets to one’s nerve after a point. Even the effective singing by Shreya Ghoshal and Mohd. Irfan fails to salvage the song. The arrangements are neat and the lyrics are good.

One can imagine Emraan Hashmi lip sync to “Khuda Bhi Na Dikhe” in a Vishesh Films’ production. Amjad-Nadeem’s music is good and is supported by Krishna Beura’s heart-wrenching rendition. The singer brings out the pain and sorrow of the protagonist in his voice. The arrangements are very good. There is a remixed version of the song but there was absolutely no need of it. In fact, it takes away the soul of the original.

Amjad-Nadeem make a wise decision by roping in the Sabri Brothers (Aftaab Sabri and Hashim Sabri) for “Mann Quanto Maula”. Given their expertise in the Qawalli genre, they add a lot of value to the song. Altamash Faridi does well as a vocalist too. The composition is good. The way the song changes its course towards the end is a little odd though.

“Tu Itni Khoobsurat Hai (Reloaded)” is just a Westernized version of the original track and it fails to make an impact. Jubin Nutiyal, who earlier rendered “Ek Mulaqat Ho” from Sonali Cable for the duo, does not seem to be a good choice for the song and Prakriti Kakkar’s digitally enhanced voice does not work.

Amjad-Nadeem do not show any growth as composers and fail to create a sound that could be recognized as their own. Barkhaa has a couple of hummable songs but as a whole, the soundtrack disappoints.

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