Iqraar - By Chance: Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sandesh Shandilya has been one underrated composer who hasn't really been able to capitalize on the immense success he received for the songs he composed in his debut flick Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. He did some good work in films like Road, Chameli, Rules - Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula, Uff Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai, Socha Na Tha and My Brother Nikhil as well but somehow his work always went unnoticed due to which his name is not taken in the same breath as other top composers . Now he returns to compose for a small film Iqraar - By Chance that is a Reeta J. Shukla production and directed by K Ravi Shankar who has made family films like Sindoor, Dariya Dil and Gharana in the past. Starring newcomer Amarjeet in the lead along with Shilpa Aanand, who makes her debut in Hindi films, Iqraar - By Chance also stars Aslam Khan [Nayee Padosan] along with Arbaaz Khan and Rahul Dev.

Vijay Prakash, who has sung for numerous films like Bhoot, Swades, Bose - The Forgotten Hero, Hanuman, Kaal and Tango Charlie in the past with his best numbers being 'Neele Neele' [Holiday] and 'Ye Jo Soundhe' [Men Not Allowed], gets the biggest break of his career in Iqrar where he gets to sing 4 out of 7 tracks. The first to come is 'Sari Sari Raat Jagave' that comes with a strong fusion of Rajashthani/Gujarati folk and western music and has flute and guitar playing a major role. While Sunidhi Chauhan goes full blast in her opening lines, it is Vijay who brings in a cooling effect with his soft English rendition. Written by Shandilya himself, it is a dance floor number with a difference and could have gone some distance if picturized lavishly. The song has a Shandilya touch in the way it takes numerous ups and downs with a twist at every corner. 'Sari Sari Raat' may not be a classic but it boasts of a new experience for sure due to sheer unpredictability factor. Remix by DJ Chetas sets up a good ground for itself before the club mix rocks the show. Overall, a good way to begin the album!

One of the best songs to arrive this year so far, 'Teri In Aadaon Ne', is melody at its best where Shreya Ghoshal steals the show all the way. A sweetly paced number sung in a slight western accent by Shreya, this romantic duet is based on minimal instruments and has a nice rock ballad feel to it. Mehboob's lyrics are simple yet effective that makes the song stand out amongst dozens of new songs that arrive every week. Well rendered and beautifully paced, the song has Vijay Prakash joining the scene mid-way who clearly seems to be enjoying every bit of the singing he is doing behind the mike. His voice reminds of Amit Kumar who has more often than not excelled in whatever he has sung and he too seems to be going the same path. One only wishes the song gets the kind of recognition it deserves!

'Bhangra' beats give a head start to 'Doston' that has its opening rhythm reminiscent of 'Pretty Woman' [Kal Ho Na Ho]. While Vijay starts this Mehboob written number in a deep husky voice, Kunal Ganjawala, his partner behind the mike, is more vociferous in his rendition. The song is a mix of 'bhangra', jazz and pop and in the end turns out to be a reasonably listenable fun number. Add on a dash of vibrant choreography and the song should do well on screen!

Sonu Kakkad, who recently delivered a single 'Mallika I Hate You' in the namesake album by Sandeep Chowta, sings 'Ghoonghat Na Khol' that is again based on Rajasthani folk music. A fast paced number written by Shabir Ahmed that deserves special mention for it's full of life orchestra; it has Shabab Sabri as Sonu's male partner. A good tune that should ideally boast of vibrant choreography, it should work in the film though it may not go an extra distance to be of the memorable kinds.

Udit Narayan arrives on the scene for the first time in the album with 'Ek Baari Aaja'. A romantic duet written by Shabir Ahmed that boasts of some good experimentation in the form of fusion between Indian and Western music instruments, it has a 80s feel to it. One feels that if the lyrics could have been more contemporary, the effect created by the composer, his team of musicians and the pairing of Udit Narayan and Shreya Ghoshal could have created a better impact.

Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan give the album a finale in the form of title song Iqrar - By Chance. Based on light calypso beats, this mix of melody and rock is again a fine hear. Written by Shabir Ahmed, this duet about the lead couple wondering how they met and fell in love with each other comes easy on ears. Yet again, the song has a Shandilya flavor to it.

Though most of the tracks are not great or have it in them to be super hits, none of them is a drag either and makes one sail through the album comfortably. Iqrar - By Chance is a decent album with a few hummable numbers, especially 'Teri In Aadaon Ne' that tops the list.