Mera Dil Leke Dekkho - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
When Fanaa had released, a lot was said about the movie to be the last time when one would be hearing Jatin Lalit together. Well, it seems the duo had some more work that they had completed in the meanwhile which releases in the form of the soundtrack of Mera Dil Leke Dekho, a film by Shatrughan Sinha that is directed by debutant Rohit Kaushik. Headed by Jackie Shroff, the starcast of this film about youngsters comprises of Koel Puri, Carran Kapoor, Puneet Tejwani and Gargi Nandi along with Esha Deol who would be seen in a special appearance. Sameer pens the lyrics.

Though the television publicity of the film still needs to pick up the heat and there is no buzz about the movie, the only hope one gets from the music is due to the fact that credentials read names like Jatin Lalit and Sameer. Thankfully together they come up with an album that can be given a comfortable hearing or two.

It's a young beginning for the title song Mera Dil Leke Dekkho that has a trademark Jatin Lalit stamp to it in the arrangements. As soon as Alka Yagnik begins her rendition, you are transferred to the Nasir Husain - R.D. Burman era, something that has influenced Jatin Lalit throughout their career. Abhijeet joins quickly with his chilled out vocals to make Mera Dil Leke Dekho a heard before but nevertheless enjoyable composition that doesn't harm in any ways. One gets what one normally expects from a Jatin Lalit score and hence the song turns out to be a fulfilling experience.

'Nashe Mein Bheegi' comes next but doesn't cover much distance in its endeavor to fuse the present with the nostalgia of the past. Sunidhi Chauhan is on the fore in this song of seduction that tries to be peppy but doesn't impress much. Routine with not much lyrical value to boast, this track with its rhythm has Kunal Ganjawala joining the scene a little later. On listening closely, it does sound somewhat similar to 'Dekha Teri Mast Nigahon Mein' [Khiladi] which was again a Jatin Lalit composition but the inspiration is restricted to the 'antaras'. In comparison the remix version of the track begins on an interesting note and sounds much more exciting too as it progresses. No, this doesn't result into a classic but at least gives the track enough fodder to facilitate a flashy music video.

A horde of singers get together for 'Bole Choodiyan' [K3G] kinda track that goes as 'Dil Leja Leja'. With Lalit Pandit in the lead as a singer with Babul Supriyo, Javed Ali, Rahul Saxena and Shakti Singh as his male partners, this Punjabi based celebration song about 'nach mere naal' variety has Sapna Mukherjee, Sadhna Sargam and Richa Sharma as the female trio. Arrangements are primarily Indian for this feel good track that tries to come close to the kind of songs heard in Yash Chopra/Karan Johar films but doesn't quite reach there.

It's jazz time with 'Mohabbat Kya Hai' where Sunidhi Chauhan and Mahalakshmi Iyer pair up for a song that seems to have been created for campus dance performance feel. A rhythmic song with a peppy feel, it again enters the Nasir Hussain territory, is enjoyable as long as it lasts and makes you interested in the proceedings. Javed Ali joins the ladies only in the end for a couple of lines but does well in his short stint.

Abhijeet brings the album to its end with a solo 'Woh Aanewali Hai' that has a feel similar to 'Gumshuda' [Chalte Chalte]. Trademark Jatin Lalit stamp is prevalent in this song about a guy completely besotted with a girl that is again not a bad hear at all. In fact more than the 'mukhda', it is the 'antara' piece which is more effective and makes one relish the melody of Jatin Lalit yet again.

Mera Dil Leke Dekho may not be in the class similar to some of the best works of Jatin Lalit [including Fanaa] but is a decent hear overall. Though there is not a song or two that stand out to head for a chartbuster, overall the album won't make you look the other way. Hear it on if you have been missing Jatin Lalit since their last score Fanaa.