Kachchi Sadak - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Every year sees a new breed of film makers arriving in Bollywood and trying to make their mark. Producer Rohitashv and director Sanjay D. Singh are two such film makers who make a film about liquor trade with Rajsthan as the setting. Rahul Singh, who has earlier played character roles in films like Zubeidaa, Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai, Yaadein, Darna Mana Hai and Kyun Ho Gaya Naa arrives in a lead role with Kachchi Sadak which is also written by him. Parmita Katkar, who was recently seen in Love Ke Chakkar Mein and Husn - Love And Betrayal is the female lead, Madhoo makes a comeback while Late Amrish Puri and Mithun Chakravorty [in a special appearance] are other star attractions. Dr. Prabha Thakur writes the lyrics for this film which also marks the return of composer Uttam Singh who is not seen much in the Bollywood musical scene.

There are little expectations from the music of a film like Kachchi Sadak that belongs to a social/action/drama genre and doesn't boast of names that would guarantee of an exceptional soundtrack. The final result is as expected with just a song or two making their presence felt.

Remember 'Mammaiya Kero Mama' from Arjun? A cry of rebellion to take on the world, Kachchi Sadak - the title song, also takes the same route as KK brings on the energy for this song that has been given raw musical arrangements by Uttam Singh. A fast paced situational number, it gathers good pace towards its end. Overall, it is still not a kind of track that one may want to play on at home or on drive since it has no value to it outside the situation.

Surprise comes in the form of 'Ek Tumse Baat', a sweet-n-nice romantic number that can be described in one word as 'innocent'. With the tune being reminiscent of a nursery rhyme, 'Ek Tumse Baat' is a conversational song set in the 70s mode with a slow pace than goes perfectly well with the genre. Shreya Ghoshal and Udit Narayan must have indeed sung the song with a smile on their face since that reflects in their pleasant rendition. Uttam Singh does quite well to keep his arrangements at the minimum for this soothing song that actually turns out to be quite beautiful and can be given an easy ear for a few times at the least.

Sad version of 'Ek Tumse Baat' is for the situation when the girl has realized that her lover is not with her anymore and it seems unlikely that he would be coming back. Moving at an even slower pace, this short version is for the situation. Since 'Ek Tumse Baat' is the most likeable of the lot, it also appears in an 'Instrumental' version.

Much hyped Mithun's guest appearance song 'Khwaja Mere Khwaja' comes next that begins on a very good note by Adnan Sami due to its lyrical quality. The rhythm that follows the prelude has a catchy effect that follows throughout the track. Adnan Sami is usual good in this high energy Sufi devotional track which would be liked by those who follow music belonging to this genre. In the film it should create a good impact and fit in well for a high voltage situation.

Vinod Rathod, who has done wonders for Sanjay Dutt yet again in Lagey Raho Munnabhai is heard once again in Kachchi Sadak as he pairs up with Udit Narayan for 'Hungama Hungama'. Pedestrian is the way to describe this number which is supposed to be fun-n-frolic but doesn't even make you move a muscle as you hear it on in the music system. Old fashioned with no retention value whatsoever, the song fails to create any hungama as the two singers simply go through the motions. Since this is a song about a group of friends having fun in their good days, a sad version of the same follows too which is for a situation when the friends are forced to be apart due to destiny's intervention. Udit Narayan is the only singer for this extra slow shorter version that is composed sans any musical instrument in the background.

Kachchi Sadak is an album that would in all likelihood pass off as an also ran. 'Ek Tumse Baat' is decent while 'Khwaja Mere Khwaja' is good for a situation but these two songs alone won't really be able to do much for the album. With not much promotion of the film to boost, this score by Uttam Singh would largely go unnoticed.