Shootout at Lokhandwala - Music Review

By: Joginder Tuteja, IndiaFM
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Shoot Out At Lokhandwala is one film that has arrived like a hurricane. Though the first half of 2007 was touted as a year of Guru, Salaam E Ishq, Eklavya, Namastey London, Ta Ra Rum Pum and many more biggies, the promotion and packaging of Shootout At Lokhandwala has ensured that it turns out to be one of the biggest, if not the biggest itself, film of the season.

With a power packed cast comprising of Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Viveik Oberoi, Suneil Shetty, Tusshar Kapoor and many more, this men-all film directed by Apoorva Ek Ajnabee Lakhia has made an instant impression. Films coming from the house of Sanjay Gupta are often known for their music. Remember recent ones like Kaante, Musafir and Zinda? One expects the same from this soundtrack that has Anand Raaj Anand, Indian band Strings, Mika Mehendi, Biddu and Euphoria coming together.

Anand Raaj Anand decides to flex his vocal chords for his own composition 'Mere Yaar'. A blend of Rajasthani and Punjabi folk presented in a fusion of Indian and Western orchestra ensures that 'Mere Yaar' sounds fine at least as long as it lasts.

An item number set in a dance bar, this Dev Kohli written track isn't of the kind that would set the charts afire, nor is it yet another 'Beedi Jalaile' for Sunidhi Chauhan or for that matter Aarti Chabaria [on whom the track is picturised]. At maximum, 'Mere Yaar' would keep the racy mood of the film intact due to its fast rhythm and won't let boredom come in, but that's about it. One searches for a remix version of this track but there isn't any in the album.... thankfully!

Now that's what one expected from Sanjay Gupta in the first place - a track like 'Aakhri Alvida'. After hearing it just once, one can conveniently say that the genre to which 'Aakhri Alvida' belongs to can be created only by a Pakistani band! Strings prove once again that they are an original band. IIn spite of numerous attempts at creating a similar feel by musicians across the World, the results have never been as exemplary.

Brilliantly written with a philosophical undertone of life and separation interspersed in so well, this rock track changes shades throughout its 5 minutes duration and flip flops its mood from soft, hard to soft again. It's not just the beats that add on to the 'remix version' of 'Alvida'; it is also the rendition that changes to speed on a fast track. There is a 80s feel to the added rhythm and the instrument that plays alongside the track keeps the 'Club mix' feel intact. After 'Ye Hai Meri Kahani' [Zinda], 'Aakhri Alvida' is yet another track that would be known for years to come.

'Ganpat' gets into a 'Bheeku Mhatre' [Satya] mode as it tells the tale of Maya Dolas [role played by Viveik Oberoi] and his gangster friends who have ambitions to rule Mumbai. Composed, written and crooned by Mika who has Anchal as his co-singer, it is a situational track picturised on Viveik, Tusshar, Rohit, Aaditya and others.

Singer Mika Mehendi sings in a style similar to that of his own 'Ae Bhai Tune Pappi Kyon Li' [private album: Out Of Control] while the composing style comes close to the kind adopted by Nitin Raikwar for numerous RGV films. And by the way, this is no compliment since the results are lukewarm here as well!

The remix version of 'Ganpat' is interesting, though not from music but story point of view. The track is basically orchestrated to highlight the power of Maya Dolas in Mumbai and how he 'rules' over phone and creates havoc. Those fond of underworld setting would like to give this track a hearing for a couple of times. Anand Raaj Anand is the sole composer in the film to have two tracks to his credit. After 'Yaar Mera' he comes with 'Unke Nashe Mein' for which Sanjay Gupta is at the helm of penning the lyrics too. An ordinary track that neither breaks any new ground nor makes a distinct identity for itself, 'Unke Nashe Mein' is a celebration/item number that would in all likelihood be featured on the men in the film who form the gang. Sukhwinder Singh, Mika and Anand Raaj Anand come together but can't really make this track rise above ordinary either in its original or equally lukewarm 'Club Mix' version.

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