Souten-The Other Side

By: Joginder Tuteja, Courtesy:IndiaFM

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Director Karan Razdan is having one of the most interesting phases of his career as he gears up for the release of three of his films in quick succession - 'Umar', 'Eight' and 'Souten'. Starring Mahima Choudhary, Padmini Kolhapure, Shakti Kapoor, Gulshan Grover, Kiran Rathod along with newcomer Vikram Kumarr [who has a faint resemblance w.r.t. looks and mannerisms to Shah Rukh Khan], 'Souten - The Other Woman' is a Naveen Tak production and looks at a drama around an extra-marital relationship. Anand Milind, who have been lying low for number of years now without giving anything substantial, are heard again in 'Souten' that has lyrics by Praveen Bharadwaj.

After years one gets to hear vintage Anand Milind in 'Barsaat Hai' that has an orchestra reminding of 'Mujhe Neend Na Aaye' [Dil]. Old fashioned as it may sound but one can't take away that little charm from this romantic-n-sensual composition that has Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik, the same pair that gave dozens of hits with the composer duo, coming up with a spirited rendition. When one expected near to nothing from this music album, 'Barsaat' throws in a surprise for those who still love to hear the 'naach-gaana' around tress in the 90s setting. A decent number that is worth a hear.

From romance, album takes a folksy turn with 'Souten Souten', a theme track sung by Richa Sharma and Sunidhi Chauhan. Based on Rajasthani folk music, it is a situational item number featuring folk performers who dance to this foot tapping tune. Praveen Bhardwaj's lyrics are in synch with the movie's theme and one just gets an impression that this song should be a turning point in the movie. A typical B and C center kind of a song that may have been heard zillions of times before but doesn't make you turn the other way round when it is played or even when it is heard again in its repeat version.

It's time to be sensual and seductive with 'Kuch Dard' that has to be the hottest ever song choreographed on Mahima Chaudhary as she goes holds-no-bar. A slow moving number sung effectively by Sunidhi Chauhan who sings with an ice-chill effect while bringing on the required heat, it has a 70s feel to it and isn't really a bad composition at all. A fine sounding number that also appears as a duet between Sunidhi and Abhijeet, who is anyways known for his icy rendition, it is sure to keep the front benchers excited and engrossed.

Inspite of having the most ordinary lyrics when compared to rest of the tracks in the album so far, 'Mohabbat Ho Gayee' surprisingly still works to an extent. A trademark 'pyaar-mohabbat' number, what saves 'Mohabbat' is the rhythm that doesn't bore you at all. There is an element of melody for sure but it's the rhythm that makes this straight-out-of-90s number by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik a comfortable hear.

Zero expectations factor - this is what works in favor of 'Souten - The Other Woman'. Apart from the Anand-Milind tag, one didn't have many hopes due to overall setting of the movie. But the final outcome surprises you because, though none of the songs are chartbusters in the making, they do not make you ignore them completely. Result? A fairly decent score!