::cck::1107::/cck::
::fulltext::
With Kunal Khemu in the lead, one is not exactly sure what to expect from the music of ‘Bhaag Johnny’. In Bollywood’s present cacophonic state, where the music of films are directly linked with the male lead, Kunal doesn’t command that much power to be granted chartbusters from the current crop of composers. Enter Super Cassettes Industries Limited (producer), which rope in as many as four composers to beef up the soundtrack. Mithoon, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Arko Pravo Mukherjee and Devi Sri Prasad share the credits. Suddenly there is an anxiety level as these names are always associated with some good chartbuster tunes.
Devi Sir Prasad (DSP) who’s “Dhinka Chika” from ‘Ready’ (2009) is still a rage, recreates his own Telugu hit “Aakalesthe Annam Pedatha” from the movie ‘Shankar Dada Zindabad’ (2007) for “Daddy Mummy” with the lyrics being lifted from the Tamil version. M.M Mansi’s vocals are energetic and remind us of Mamta Sharma at places due to the heavy texture. DSP aptly supports her with the rap portions in between. What makes this number catchy and foot tapping, is the pulsating techno arrangements that stays with the listeners for long.
Arko Pravo Mukherjee who is known for his songs in ‘Jism 2’ (2012), ‘Yaariyan’ (2014), ‘The Shaukeens’ (2014) and ‘Kuch Kuch Locha Hai’ (2015) recreates Sajid-Wajid’s and Sonu Nigam’s iconic number “Iss Qadar Pyar Hai” from the album ‘Deewana’ (1999). After touching hearts with “Abhi Abhi” (‘Jism 2’) and the recent R.D Burman recreation “Aao Na” in ‘Kuch Kuch Locha Hai’ (2015), one expects something gorgeous and innovative. The melody and hook line are kept the same with a welcoming change in the lyrics by Faaiz Anwar. Ankit Tiwari croons this one passionately, albeit the auto-tuned effect somewhat limits the vocal talent and emotional connect. The piece also ends absurdly and quickly after the second antara. It was an opportunity for another recreation that could have touched new heights but only results as a good number and nothing extraordinary.
Yo Yo Honey Singh’s “Aankhon Aankhon” suffers from the same old pulsating music (minus the rap) throughout, which lands in the same old familiar territory that we have heard so many times in the past – “Angreji Beat”(‘Cocktail’ (2012)) to be very specific. The Hindi-Punjabi lyrics are quite catchy and the hook line becomes addictive after a while. Luckily the song doesn’t go over the top in the arrangements and maintains a decent rhythm. Although the composition lacks innovation and offers nothing fresh, no one cares as this is going to be loved by the Honey Singh fan club in the end.
Remember the magical “Maula Mere Maula” from ‘Anwar’ (2007) that swept listeners off their feet when the music was released back in 2006. In those days, Mithoon was just making his quiet debut and he didn’t have a template. Now most of his compositions are somewhere weaved around his chartbuster “Phir Mohabbat” from ‘Murder 2’ (2011) or carry the same ‘safe zone’ template and refrain from any innovative imagination. That’s where “Kinna Sona” wins you over with the same magical charm of the “debutant” Mithoon. Sunil Kamath textured vocals carries the Sufi-pop flavour brilliantly and that too with a classical touch. Don’t miss his high notes which remind us of the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahab. The lyrics by Amitabh Verma ooze love and emotions with every word. His work flows like a soothing poetry alongside the fabulous tabla beats and mesmerize the listeners. This one is here to stay and will definitely enjoy a longer shelf life. Keep this one on loop and enjoy the peaceful romantic ambiance that it creates!
Mithoon brings the immensely talented Rahul Vaidya for the last track “Meri Zindagi” and to much surprise, he seems to put in a lot of efforts in his rendition which makes him sound unusual. This one is a sad situational number that misses the chord on the emotional level and ends the soundtrack on an average note.
In a nutshell, ‘Bhaag Johnny’ has some decent numbers with the magnificent “Kinna Sona” which is a delight for music lovers.
Rating: 2.5/5
::/fulltext:: ::cck::1107::/cck::
