<i>Chingari</i>

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM

Kalpana Lajmi is a director who hardly needs an introduction. Though her last flick 'Kyon' came and disappeared before anyone could ask 'Kyon?', her upcoming flick 'Chingaari' may have a better outing at the box office due to the presence of Sushmita Sen who plays the central character of a prostitute. The movie also stars Mithun Chakraborty along with Anuj Sawhney and is a Vikas Sahni production. Aadesh Srivastava, who has become quite selective off late, returns to compose for this movie and one expects some situational tracks in the album that has lyrics by Sameer.

Rural flavor is prevalent in the opening track 'Dank Maare' that has such an effect on you that you can't help but get on a hip-shaking mood. In any other movie with a sleazy subject, this song may have turned into a skin show but with a director of Kalpana Lajmi's repute and presence of Sushmita Sen, the song turns into lot of fun, in spite of a naughty-n-inviting theme. Watch this number that has been set in a carnival and you would realize that this Sunidhi Chauhan sung track is quite zingy and foot tapping. And yes, expect the number to do quite well in the cow belt! Aadesh Srivastava arrives in a short while to render the male version of this song and continues to make the proceedings exciting. As one hears the song more, one feels that this could even be a good contender for 'Holi' specials that may start storming the market in about a month's time from now!

Assortment of Indian instruments are used to begin the track 'Kitni Sardi Kitni Garmi', which is about wait of an individual for his/her loved one for number of seasons. A very well composed number, it moves at an extremely slow pace hence making one hear the track closely. Sameer's lyrics have that 'Gulzar' feel in them for this very well rendered song by Aadesh that reminds of the S.D. Burman - R.D. Burman compositions from the 60s and the 70s era. A classical based number that also appears in a female version by Vijayata Pandit, it is a delightful composition. Vijeta too does an amazing job and comes quite close to Lataji's style of rendition!

The music continues to get better and better with every passing track and 'Dulhan Dulhan' further establishes the fact that Vijayata Pandit is a singer who has a very fine voice. Here again she sings as Lataji would have and does complete justice to the opportunity provided to her by Aadesh. A melodious number, it is a far cry from the Chopra-Johar-Darshan brand of 'dulhans' and the song has to be heard to be appreciated. The song makes one remember the songs from 'Utsav' and one can imagine the song to be shot in the darkness of night! A pure-n-simple track for the music lovers.

There was one 'Jai Maa Kaali' in 'Karan Arjun' around a decade back and now comes yet another number, 'Maha Kali' that praises the goddess. Sunidhi Chauhan sings this 'title song' that has the term 'Chingaari' in its opening lyrics. A core situational track, it has an aggressive feel to it [as expected] and should appear at a crucial juncture in the movie. For the third time in the album, Aadesh Srivastava returns to do his version for a song originally sung by someone else. 'Taandav', again featuring Aadesh, revolves around 'kaali matra' and is an aggressive piece!

'Jab Jab Saiyyan' is a 'raga' based 'mujra' that is as authentic as it gets when it comes to songs of this genre. With light beats of 'tabla' in the background, it is Himani Kapoor who takes center stage for an entire duration of the song and is simply superb. The nuances of the number would be much appreciated by those with a good knowledge of classical music.

Numerous composers boast of 'different' music for every album of theirs all the time but this one is truly 'different' with a unique flavor. Aadesh Srivastava comes up with yet another quality score after 'Dev' and justifies his selectivity when it comes to composing for Hindi films.