Woh Lamhe - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

"Woh Lamhe, Woh baatein, Koi na jaane" - taking a cue from these words, this time it is the turn of Mahesh Bhatt to tell a story close to his heart through the film Woh Lamhe. Based on incidents from his relationship with late actress Parvin Babi, Woh Lamhe stars Kangna Ranaut as a female lead with Shiney Ahuja playing the male protagonist. Though the last release from Vishesh Films, The Killer, was an aberration when one looks at its music, for all these years majority of their films have boasted of a superb score.

Their Gangster is still selling in a big way and one has great expectations from the composer Pritam who returns with Woh Lamhe. After hearing the music one can safely say that Woh Lamhe is a comfortable addition to your repertoire of enjoyable soundtracks.

Pritam creates a great setting through his brilliant musical arrangements just before the man of all seasons, KK, starts crooning 'Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai'. The chorus effect at the very beginning is simply haunting and when KK gets into the groove with his rocking rendition; you know that you have one of the best rendered, written and composed song of the year in hands. Neelesh Misra's lyrics have freshness to it that make poetry sound so simple that it makes you wonder why is it such a rarity in today's times?

Now after this good news, a saddening piece of information. 'Kya Mujhe' is a straight lift from a song called 'Tak Bisakah' which has been composed and sung by one of Indonesia's most popular and successful pop groups, 'Peterpan'! Of course Pritam has made the Indian version much peppier and exciting but the 'inspiration' factor doesn't seem to be abandoning Bhatts and the composer. Well, if one ignores the inspiration then it can't be denied that 'Kya Mujhe' is going to be one of the most heard tracks this year. DJs A Myth and Kiran take the song to a new level altogether as they arrive with a snazzier remix version of the song that is again an awesome piece of music.

One gets excited by the very mention of singer James who appears in the credits for 'Chal Chale'. For starters, James is the same singer who sung the popular 'Bheegi Bheegi' earlier this year in the film Gangster. From sounding intoxicated in 'Bheegi Bheegi', James is quite full of life in 'Chal Chale' which is yet another beautiful number that is written by Sayeed Quadri this time around. A song about a lover taking his beloved to a distance place where it will be only them with nothing else surrounding them, it is a beautiful piece of melody [hopefully an original!] Catchy and appearing very nice to ears, 'Chal Chale' has James sounding a lot like Amit Kumar and makes one think all over again that where is the talented singer of the early 80s these days. Except for some gems sung by him in 'Jhankar Beats', there is little that one has heard of Amit Kumar in last few years!

Just like Subhash Ghai has his stamp all over the songs in the films directed by him, even Mahesh Bhatt too always has a song or two that carry a Bhatt stamp. 'Tu Jo Nahin' is one such track that marks the arrival of a new singer Glenn John. He sings this 'ghazal' with aplomb and it is simply amazing to hear a near flawless rendition from him as he croons this Sayeed Quadri written track. Reminiscent of the songs that Anu Malik used to compose for Mahesh Bhatt films in the past, 'Tu Jo Nahin' is a third straight gem in quick succession that makes 'Woh Lamhe' an excellent album so far. A classy track with appropriate arrangements, it establishes the fact that Pritam is a composer to reckon with, with or without an inspiration because the fact that is that what he brings to Bollywood music is some great music to hear. Period! The beauty of the song necessitates a repeat hearing and that's the reason one hears 'Tu Jo Nahin' again.

Woh Lamhe has beauty written all over it and it is apparent when Shreya Ghoshal croons a melodious 'So Jaoon Main'. A song written by Shakeel Aazmi with guest composer Roop Kumar Rathod chipping in, it is a soulful number about a female who is looking for assurance and support from her beloved and is ready to let go everything for her love. Inspite of its 6 minutes long duration, it is a track that one would love to listen for an extended period of time. Kunal Ganjawala, a regular with Pritam, ensures that this happens as he sings the male version of the same track. He adds his own nuances to a song that is anyways a great hear and makes it a twin treat for the listeners.

Just like the album began with an inspiration [Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai], the album ends with one as well. 'Bin Tere' is a song in question that is in fact a track originally sung by Pakistani singer Jawad Ahmad some time back. He is roped in to sing the track again for 'Woh Lamhe' and just like 'Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai', if one ignores the originality factor; 'Bin Tere' is another superb number to hear to. Pritam is good at rearranging the track and comes up with a version that suits the Bollywood setting to the T. Nice'n'soothing melody coupled with simple lyrics by Sayeed Quadri add on 'Bin Tere' to the highly enjoyable compilation of songs in Woh Lamhe.

Woh Lamhe is a second straight winner in a row for Bhatts and Pritam after a super successful Gangster. Yes, there are 'inspirations' galore but as far as giving a new sound to music lovers to cherish is concerned, both Vishesh Films and Pritam have gone all out in their endeavor. Each and every song has been treated to beautiful melody and it is difficult to point out a single number that works most. The album also succeeds in breaking the Bhatt-T-Series jinx that had earlier seen disappointments in the form of Nazar and The Killer. The album perfectly mixes class with mass oriented soundtrack and would be popular amongst those who have traditionally like Bhatt brand of music.