<i>Teesri Aankh</i> - The Hidden Camera

Courtesy: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM

Post Gadar, none of the movies with Sunny Deol in the lead have boasted of exceptional music, with 'Jo Bole So Nihal' being the latest casualty. In comparison movies by director Harry Baweja have invariably comprised of some chartbuster score, though Karz [again starring Sunny Deol] had been an exception. When the two reunite for 'Teesri Aankh - The Hidden Camera', one looks forward to see how the music shapes up for this thriller that also stars Amisha Patel, Neha Dhupia, Ashish Chaudhary and Arti Chabaria. In total there are just 4 unique tracks in the album [with rest being remixes]. Sukhshinder Shinda, Harry Anand and Nitz 'N' Sony have been roped for the compositions.

TIPS favorite Jazzy B opens the album with his bhangra-pop number 'Chug De Punjabi'. The video features Jazzy B along with Amisha Patel as an added attraction and would be lapped up by those who swear by his singing style. The music company and the makers of the movie may have considered this number to be the USP of the album [and probably even the movie] and that's the reason the song is being placed as the prime piece of promotion. Overall the track composed by Sukhshinder Shinda and written by Karamjeet Kadhowala is decent but that's about it. The video leaves a much to be desired feel and one feels that better picturization may have got the track more mileage.

Harry Anand, who has made a career out of remixing tunes of other composers, does it again in 'Teesri Aankh' with 'Assi Teri Gal Karni'. The song is a straight lift from Pakistani singer Abrar Ul Haq's 'Assan Janna Mall O Mall' from the namesake album. From the music to the opening lyrics - everything is an exact replica of the Pakistani original. Having said that, the track sung by Sonu Nigam is pretty enjoyable and makes for a good marriage celebration number. The song should be promoted right away as rhythm wise it is much better that Jazzy B's opening number and is far catchier. Written by Sameer with some inputs from Suzzanne, 'Assi Teri Gal Karni' also appears in its remix version. This version is exactly the same in terms of pace but just has some rap-n-reggae added to it.

Shweta Pandit, who enthralled one and all with her mischievous voice in Neal N Nikki, returns with 'Titliyan Titliyan'. Just like the first two songs, this one too is a Punjabi track with a peppy feel to it. The song has Sonu Nigam accompanying Shweta for this 'masala' number that is, at most, time pass and doesn't do much harm to the proceedings. But does it have enough ammunition to be the most sought after song in 4 weeks from now? That is certainly not the case. Combination of Harry Anand and Sameer are behind the track that again appears in a remix version. Well, the results are still just the same - nothing exceptional but not a drag either!

Composers Nitz 'N'Sony offer Asha Bhonsle a platform to go 'lounge' in 'Sharaabiyon', an 80s style track about 'jaam', 'madhoshi', 'sharaab' and stuff alike. Supposedly an item number written by Nitin Nitz Arora, it is one of those rare numbers by Ashaji that doesn't really jump over the bar and rather stays average throughout. Generally her numbers stand out in the album but that is surprisingly not the case in 'Teesri Aankh' as her 'Sharaabiyon' continues to be in the flow with rest of the album and turns out to be average. There is a bona fide 'lounge version' that comes towards the end of the album and peps up the album's mood due to its haunting feel. Much slower in pace, it has some good musical arrangements that makes the song sound much better and justifies Ashaji's presence in the song.

In nutshell, 'Teesri Aankh' is a masala album that doesn't pretend to provide anything exceptional or groundbreaking and sticks to a basic sound that is often heard in an action movie. Those who are fond of hearing Punjabi albums wouldn't mind giving 'Teesri Aankh' a hear or two.