Himesh Reshammiya can be easily described as a hurricane these days. Like a hurricane, he is unstoppable in whichever season. His music is repeatedly aired in all corners of the world and his trademark cap is quietly sitting in the subconscious mind of many people. And what are the damages of this hurricane? Is there enough bread and butter for the remaining music directors, who are having a tough time? Hard to say.
His first association with Sanjay Dutt was for Kurukshetra in 2000. No doubt, Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Dutt do have a remarkable synergy on screen after the successful venture of Munnabhai MBBS. The music of Munnabhai MBBS was mainly situational with Anu Malik diverting from his usual style. Situational music is again expected with Anthony Kaun Hai? as it's a comic thriller. But with the pairing of Minissha Lamha and Anousha Dandekar, one expects a masala soundtrack la Reshammiya.
Himesh Reshammiya, Sunidhi Chauhan and Sameer team up for an 'ishq' song. Ishq Kiya Kiya is the routine Reshammiya number in all his soundtracks. Sunidhi Chauhan blindly sings the uninspiring lyrics about 'ishq, dil and pyaar'. As said many times before, 'ishq' songs have made their time and are no more in vogue. Even a singing sensation like Reshammiya cannot save the song for a plethora of reasons. The singing and the lyrics are utterly predictable with Reshammiya screaming for no reason. The antra looses steam with Himesh doing a 'nah nah nah nah' to finish it. The high pitch singing efforts go nowhere here. Orchestration is pretty much standard with heavy Sufi rock influences. Melody is completely relegated while beats in the background are given more priority. For the remixed version, Abkar Sami adds his touch and provides a much needed uplift to the track. Reshammiya's voice is put in the forefront while the music is set in the background.
Take a break from all these popular Bollywood numbers and enjoy No Way No Way! Surprisingly, Himesh starts the track with Without you baby, No Way No Way. K.K .is heard a few times but is completely over-shadowed or put it simply wasted! The song is energized by fresh lyrics, an easy-going tune and first class singing. The exciting flute adds punch to the song. 'No Way No Way' (Saanwariya) is not over!
Listening to the remixed version will change your views on the original version! Being the promotional number, this one will rock the charts! Akbar Sami finally wakes up from his cave. Jazz, disco and Reshammiya are the plus points of this foot tapping track with K.K being heard more in the background than in the original with the occasional Saanwariya. A catchy tune and rhythm never fail! Also Reshammiya enters new territory of genres in this number, with the help of Sami but he doesn't step away from melody. This is where the track scores big! Pump up the volume; the saxophone and the black disco violins of the 70s will be better heard. The acoustic jazz combined with the Indian flute is a good fusion. Add to that, 70s and 80s disco sounds coated with Sami's racing beats; this one is innovative! In 2000, Himesh composed for the Salman Khan flick 'Kahin Pyaar Na Jo Jaaye'. Few would remember the superbly rendered track of Kamaal Khan's 'Teri Ankhiyaan' with Alka Yagnik, which had the lines Saanwariya O Saanwariya in the middle. Himesh never disappoints with 'Saanwariya' numbers!
Bhangra Paale is pale in comparison to so many typical Bhangra songs heard these days. Sonu Nigam as the lead singer makes an effort while Saru Maini supports adequately. Jayesh Gandhi is heard in the background. A below average song from Himesh's bank of tunes, 'Bhangra Paale' lacks energy, rhythm and beats. Punjabi songs have to be lively! Sami throws some beats here and there. The remixed version is sour. Poor!
The cool dude Kunal Ganjawala renders Tune Mera Chain Vain Le Liya with so much ease. His style is on target. Shreya Ghoshal accompanies her and does a fine job. Music is quite upbeat with a rather slow start. Orchestration is first class with the right sounds and simplistic arrangements. The tune is very ordinary. However, Ganjawala gives it the boost with his unique style. The remixed version is much better. Akbar Sami accelerates the pace. 'Tune Mera Chain Vain Le Liya' becomes faster and is quite enjoyable.
Because I Love You works for many reasons. When we have Kunal Ganjawala singing for his beloved Gayatri Ganjawala, who happens to be the female singer in this song, expect some magi! Of course, Kunal sings from the heart and Gayatri responds in a natural way. The effect is pleasing. Himesh maintains a high standard for the music and orchestration. The guitar backdrop provides the romantic feel while the selected instruments add value. Since the movie has been shot in Thailand, the instruments used match the location. Sameer's lyrics are simple. The remixed version by Sami is passable.
The surprise of the album is Let's Rock! Don't write it off so early! 'Let's Rock (Tumse Milne Ko)' is an innovative and raaga simplified song with a solo Sunidhi Chauhan in one of her best appearances this year. It contains a chilled-out background, peaceful beats and an appropriate chorus. The prelude is offbeat with a heavy use of strings and synthesizers. Reshammiya composes a simple tune but groovy at the same time. The vocal effects by echoing the last lines of the 'mukdha' are mesmerizing. Arya in the rap department is effective. He goes; 'Love makes you do a lot of things'! Akbar Sami takes charge of the remixed version. The track is repackaged and sounds much better. This one deserves more attention and promotion as well!
Anthony Kaun Hai? is a sincere effort from Himesh Reshammiya and he is not running out of tunes. Some of his numbers are getting better because he is trying new sounds and he is experimenting with the voices of the Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan and K.K. Shaan is greatly missed in this album. Another working factor for him is that he always keeps in mind the theme and location of the movie and adds the required musical touch. Set in Bangkok, Because I Love You has some nice instruments used. The song Aashiqui Meri from 36 China Town had the Chinese musical touch, Ghoomar from Chup Chup Ke had the rustic feel and Kitna Pyaar Karte Hain from Banaras had the classical feel. Technically, these mentioned songs are not mass composed and if dropped by the producers, they cannot be used for another movie unless the situations match. A music director with such a keen ear on so many important details will benefit as he will have the soundtrack working for the script and for the audience as well. More producers are sure to queue for Reshammiya for many more years to come. The hurricane will be present for more seasons then.
As the singer, Reshammiya will be suffering from the over-exposure syndrome if he continues in the same fast lane of singing. His only remedy is to cut down on the singing if he wants to maintain the same freshness. Ishq Kiya Kiya could have been avoided. No Way No Way is passable but Shaan would have done a better job as his expressive vocals are unparalleled. On the whole, Anthony Kaun Hai? will be under the spotlight with this energetic and fresh music but watch out for the picturization on Sanju and Circuit!
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