Zindaggi Rocks - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Friday, August 25, 2006
Tanuja Chandra has been known for making films that revolve around female protagonists. Starting from Dushman [Kajol], Sangharsh [Preity Zinta] and Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar [Amisha Patel] to Sur - The Melody of Life [Gauri Karnik] and Film Star [Mahima Chaudhary], each of her films have starred a female in a pivotal role. Meanwhile Sushmita Sen too is acting in more and more films that have a statement to make from a female's point of view or at least have a female as the central protagonists. Samay - When Time Strikes, Paisa Vasool, Vaastu Shastra to Chingaari are just to name a few. This is what makes the project Zindagii Rocks exciting since it brings the two females together. Presence of Shiney Ahuja as a male lead further adds on to the uniqueness of this project that is touted to feature some 'rocking' music by Anu Malik who now prefers to be called Aanuu Mallik. Mudassar Aziz is the lyricist. Earlier titled Rockin', the film comes from the banner of BAG Films and is slated for a September release.

Aanuu Mallik hasn't been having a great 2006 with first Himesh Reshammiya hogging away all the limelight for his solo title version of Humko Deewana Kar Gaye when the fact was that Mallik scored for the rest of the album. This was followed by some average score in Pyaare Mohan. Does he strike back with Zindaggi Rocks? Yes, indeed he does!

Javed Ali, who has been slowly but steadily getting recognition in the world of playback singing, gets an opportunity to begin the proceedings of the album with 'Meri Dhoop Hai Tu'. From the lyrics it seems to be an intellectual track but that turns out to be a deception since Aanuu Malik presents this love song in a rhythmic mode. Tulsi Kumar, who has sung her maximum songs with Himesh Reshammiya so far [though she also had a hit in the form of Aanuu Malik's version of the title song of Humko Deewana Kar Gaye], comes along with Javed Ali for this item song which is quite well written by Sayeed Quadri who has been roped in for just this track. The remix version follows immediately that maintains the same pace with the arrangements just becoming crisper and a little stylish. Overall a decent catchy track to mark the beginning of an album from which there are much expectations.

From hereon Mudassar Aziz takes over as a lyricist starting with Rabbi. The funky manner with which this track begins, it is reminiscent to Pritam style of composition, what with rap-n-reggae thrown in along with heavy duty beats and interspersion of the word Rabbi. Krishna starts the song with an extended 'aalap' before Zubeen Garg and Sunidhi Chauhan take over the mike. There are just some slight shades of Middle-East music in this smashing number that has a potential to be an instant hit allover if promoted aggressively.

For a track like Rabbi it is imperative that it features in a remix version too. Justified in its presence in the album, now the call of the situation is a promotional video to be built around it and the results should be there to be seen. The only word of caution - though as a listener one doesn't really care much of the song is an original or an inspiration, one hopes for Aanuu Mallik's sake that this is entirely his own since he is anyways working quite exclusively today in the wake of Reshammiya and Pritam wave!

Remember Anushka Manchandani who was heard in the hit title track of Golmaal a few weeks back. The girl with a sensual-n-husky voice is back with yet another title song, this time for Zindaggi Rocks. The album continues to be set in a rock mode as the song is the first in the album to be actually based on a live concert. The song sounds just fine when one expected a much contemporary track for a title song that should be appearing at a crucial juncture of the movie. The song has a feeling of dejÀ vu, especially during the 'antara' portions, and it is only the western arrangements that still manage to make it sail through. Overall, it succeeds to a fair extent for the situation since it creates a euphoric feel of a real time rock concert.

From here begin a string of Sunidhi Chauhan solos that take the album till its end. After all the rock-n-roll happening on your music system, things turn mellow with an arrival of Ek Din Fursat, something that one was looking for. Coming quite close to the style of 'Le Chale' [My Brother Nikhil] , it too has a very deep feel to it that is enhanced to a great effect due to smooth-n-soothing musical arrangements. Also the sound design around Sunidhi's voice makes it a special song and undoubtedly the best of the enterprise so far. Though Sunidhi is on the forefront of this track, Mudassar Aziz lyrics deserve a special mention for the feel they create. Also the veteran in Aanuu Mallik shows why he is around for decades inspite of competition coming in from all quarters. A beautifully written song that has been given a divine treatment by the composer and singer!

Do we really need a remix version for a mellow track like Ek Din Fursat? One can't help asking this question before playing on the remix version that follows. Thankfully the essence of the track is maintained in this retro version of the song that creates a feel of the early 80s [something on the lines of musical arrangement by Biddu] and makes Ek Din Fursat a great hear again. The English passages throughout the track only add on to the impact.

Humko Chhoone Paas Aayiye is the second rock ballad in a row for this album that continues to throw in surprises. For those who love anything that is not conventionally Bollywood, this is the one for you. A beautiful love song with a guitar accompanying Sunidhi's voice, it is difficult to select between it and Ek Din Fursat for the better of the lot! Excellent arrangements by Mallik make this melodious track extremely likeable. Lyrics too are above ordinary and do not even once try to follow the routine ishk vishk pyaar vyaar approach. This makes it two in a row for Sunidhi as far as coming up with some lovely solos is concerned!

It's back to performing live in a concert with Hadh Ko Adab Ko, a rock track. Fitting in well with the genre of the film, this Sunidhi Chauhan number reminds one of numerous songs belonging to this genre that one would have heard in Hollywood musicals. The song is fit for its situation and as expected a remix version of the same appears too. There is a calypso element involved in the track here that brings the concert to fun on a sunny beach. Peppy and enjoyable!

Zindaggi Rocks is an album that truly surprises. Though Tanuja Chandra's Sur really had some 'sureela sangeet', one wasn't sure if her collaboration with Aanuu Malik would indeed be able to pull off a score that would befit the film's genre. Well, in addition to some rocking tracks like Rabbi and Meri Dhoop Hai Tu, the surprise comes in the form of Ek Din Fursat and Humko Chhoone Paas Aayiye which are just delicious.

This one is on you Aanuu!