Music Review - Once upon a time in Mumbai

Album Name: Once upon a time in Mumbai

Director: Milan Lutharia

Music Director: Pritam
Lyrics: Irshad Kamil
Singers: Mohit Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Tulsi Kumar, Karthik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rana Mazumder, Mika Singh, KK and Dominique

 

The mention of Pritam in the list of music maker's for a movie plays its part in raising the bar of our expectations. Why not indeed?! For Pritam has given some of the best albums in the past including the likes of Jab We Met, Dil Bole Haddipa, Love Aaj Kal, Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani, Singh is King, Jannat and many more. With his latest album for this retro crime thriller, Pritam establishes his genius all over again.

 

The opening soundtrack of the album is Pee Loon, sung by enchanting Mohit Chauhan and extremely talented Shankar Mahadevan. The duo manages the expected impact with this romantic track. Lyrics by Irshad Kamil are undoubtedly amazing. The track has a Sufi touch about it, which has remained quite popular with the audience as such for quite a while now. The song gives a bang on start to the album and is a winner all the way.

 

The remix version, a solo by Mohit Chauhan is a fast paced track. Although the track has nothing new to offer in comparison to the original song, it might manage to engage the younger audience.

 

It is followed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Tulsi Kumar's Tum Jo Aaye.  Yet another impressive composition by Pritam. The lyrics are extremely influential. Irshad Kamil sure knows the extreme mood of the song. Both the singers have lived up the standard of the powerful lyrics. The song employs some elements of qawwali style which makes it stand out.

 

The song has reprise version, sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. While the original is undeniably promising, this one steals the limelight. It's a real pleasure hearing Rahat ji's voice. There is no reason to miss this extremely melodious and soothing song.

 

Next comes Parda, a mix of two great Pancham Da chartbusters of yesteryear, with some original lyrics. Sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and Rana Mazumder, the song holds the influence of legendary tracks - Monica Oh my darling and Duniya Mein. Retro in spirit, this song is bound to succeed - if using the Laawaris track worked wonders for Houseful!

 

Next in the queue is I am in love by Karthik, a soft romantic number. Irshad Kamil gets the lyrics just right. This pleasing number shows potentials with its melodious music and is delightful to hear. The song is likely to appeal the youth more so.

 

The other part of this song is sung by KK. Another great soundtrack from the album. A crooning KK can never fail romantic numbers, so he doesn't! The song has dance mix, sung by KK, with Dominique Cerege in the background. The remix however, is only average.

 

And finally, we have Babu Rao Mast Hai by Mika Singh. It is a mischievous song about a certain Babu Rao, who is said to be one of the pivotal movie characters. While the lyrics are in the lesser league of Kamil's work, the overall song isn't bad at all.

An overall promising album. Pritam has his way to leave a mark!

 

BC picks: Pee Loon, Tum Jo aaye, Tum jo aaye (reprise version), I am in love

BollyCurry ratings: 3.5/5