Kaminey Music Review

EXPECTATIONS

One actually never knows which way Vishal Bhardwaj turns when it comes to compositions of his films. In his last release Omkara if he had 'Beedi Jalaile' that continues to sell till date, then he also had 'Naina Thag Lenge' that made it to the list of those looking for classy tracks. This is why when he comes up with a movie that has a title like Kaminey, has actors like Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra who are as mainstream as it gets, explores a genre (caper) that is still in it's infancy state in Bollywood, pairs up with Gulzar saab for the umpteenth time and promises to bring in his own trademark sensibility to the project, one looks forward to the music of Kaminey with a completely open mind.

MUSIC

Thankfully, it is one 'dhinchaak' beginning for Kaminey as the very sound of 70s is converted into a full length song, courtesy 'Dhan Te Nan'. The way Sukhwinder Singh and Vishal Dadlani go about singing the song (with Robert Bob Omulo adding on a little rap); it appears to be one rocking competition between the two of them as they go out rightly ballistic in their rendition. A number which is a chartbuster from the word GO, it is one 'seeti-maar' outing that will make audiences jump from their seats even in multiplexes! A theme track that is pretty much in synch with the caper genre of the film, 'Dhan Te Nan' (that has an innovative 'remix version' to boast of) has Gulzar saab getting innovative once again, as reflected in each and every line of the song which is unique and truly new.

If 'Dhan Te Nan' was akin to driving a racing car on a highway, 'Thode Bheege' is an almost silent boat ride on a moonlit night. This beautiful melody starts off slowly, rightly so to suit the mood of the song, and reaches it's crescendo one minute into its duration. A song about first love (which could also be the last ever, as confessed by the protagonist); 'Thode Bheege' is an Indian tune with Western arrangements to it, something that gives this Mohit Chauhan number an international touch. It takes a few hearing to warm up to the number but it's a point of no return once the song gets on you. Add this one to that romantic collection you may have been making for the one you love! Second winner in a row!

While Shahid's confession of love was sedate and sober in 'Thode Bheege' then watch out for Priyanka Chopra (on whom the song has been presumably shot) as she goes all out to declare in front of the entire world about her first (and yet again, the last too) love! Rekha Bhardwaj sings 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje' for her and sets the 'mauj-masti' mood even as Vishal Bhardwaj experiments by bringing in Sunidhi Chauhan on scene as well. He almost fuses the two voices and brings in a new sound that keeps the rhythmic mood of 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje' alive. He does something similar with his male voices as well by bringing together Suresh Wadkar and Kunal Ganjawala. With rap by Earl E D, 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje' (that also arrives in a worthy 'remix version') is all set to be the next 'Sapne Mein Milti Hai' [Satya] moment for Kaminey, considering the fact that Vishal is expected to pep up the situation with some vibrant picturisation.

The much talked about 'safe sex' number, 'Fatak', comes in next that has a tune which pretty much goes back in the zone of 'Mangal Mangal' [Mangal Pandey]. With a folk flavour to it, the song belongs to the kind that can find some audience only after it has been seen on the screen. Due to it's good lyrical appeal which almost narrates a story, 'Fatak' conveys the message even as it maintains a naughty streak to it. One can expect this Sukhwinder Singh & Kailash Kher sung number to find an important place in the film's narrative!

Yet another track that certainly has a lyrical appeal to it is the title song 'Kaminey'. Frankly, in the history of Hindi cinema, there seldom has been an entire track centered on a cuss word and that too for a mainstream film. In this regard, Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar saab have definitely braved in doing something that could well have sounded impossible at the inception stage. They come up with a number that may play as a part of the film's background at number of junctures in the film's narrative. Told from the point of view of the protagonist who is finding quite a few things around him 'kaminey', including friends, friendship, the path or even the journey, the song moves at a leisurely pace and has a Western treatment to it.

It's a two minute grand finale with the sound of 70s back, as witnessed in Johnny Gaddaar almost two years back. Theme music 'Go Charlie Go', with it's base in the title song, gets into the 'Dhan Te Nan' mode and from there on becomes one pacy journey that you wish to take. Just an apt end to the album that continued to oscillate between different genres throughout its six track pack.

OVERALL

Kaminey is certainly not a run of the mill album and this is where its prime strength lies. The album boasts of at least three chartbuster tracks - 'Dhan Te Nan' (sure shot superhit), 'Thode Bheege' (must for the hearts in love) and 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje' (for some 'masti' and 'hungama'). Songs like 'Fatak' and 'Kaminey' are innovative and situational which showcase the range of Vishal Bhardwaj. Add to that the 'Go Charlie Go - Theme Music' and you know that Kaminey is yet another addition to some excellent albums that have hit the stands during last one month.

OUR PICK(S)

'Dhan Te Nan', 'Thode Bheege', 'Raat Ke Dhai Baje', 'Go Charlie Go'