MUSIC REVIEW OF APNE
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
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Filmmaker Anil Sharma, a hot favorite among Deol clan comes out with his most ambitious project 'Apne' with unique combination of father and sons. It will be a big occasion when legendary Dharmendra will be paired opposite his two sons -- Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol -- in a film. Anil Sharma delivered momentous hit 'Gadar-Ek Prem Katha' (Sunny Deol) years ago and has had semi-hits like 'Hero' (Sunny Deol), 'Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon' (Bobby Deol) and 'Hukumat', 'Elaan-e-Jung' (Dharmendra) to his credits In 'Apne', Anil Sharma prefers rock sensation Himesh Reshammiya for his trendy Sufi rock musical work over his favorite Uttam Singh as the musical composer for the film. Himesh Reshammiya comes with a collage of hip-shaking and sentimental numbers through his contemporary Sufi rock musical rendition. Lyricist Sameer forms bondage with his favorite composer (Himesh Reshammiya) in an entertainer that promises different shades of emotions. 'Apne' has nine original soundtracks that can be heard on T-Series cassettes and CD's.
Mehfuz (2 Versions) : Himesh Reshammiya's loud and energized vocals deliver contemporary style of his Sufi Rock with Sameer's traditional Urdu lingo rendered lyrical work but failing to impress in a mediocre soundtrack "Mehfuz". It has a rock concert euphoric feel in the backdrop but the overtly repeated Sufi rock flow fails to create any zest. The number has Reshammiya's over-exposed musical arrangements with his overtly heard vocals making undesired ear-splitting noises. "Mehfuz" has contemporary mixing of "Sarangi-tabla" loops and violin notes with fast-paced guitar strumming exhibiting a peculiar "Reshammiya" music feel. But this uninspiring soundtrack fails to pulsate senses and proves a big disappointment with its monotonous rhythmic patterns. It will be interesting to view its merits on silver screen as it has been aggressively promoted with Bobby Deol and Katrina Kaif, shaking legs on the floors.
Akbar Sami's extra energized DJ skills prove too meek to create any thrust on floors as the first remix track "Mehfuz (remix)" comes as slapdash offering. The lackluster recurring disco impact with shoddy arrangements shows the weakest possible works of Akbar Sami in recent times.
Dekhon Tumhein To Pyar Aaye (2 Versions) : The soft-pitched "lounge" music in a gentle flow comes with synchronized beat patterns in creating a tempo for heart-throbbing love number in the soundtrack "Dekhon Tumhein to Pyar Aaye". Himesh Reshammiya comes behind mike again and delivers it in his loud-pitched singing attire along with gentle sounding Akriti Kakkar. Reshammiya overplays himself once again and his loud booming vocals fail to justify the soft palpable romantic emotions. Akriti Kakkar's soft and subtle vocals sound too meek and are relegated to backseat with minimum impact. Sameer's poetic work impresses but the lackluster musical work and unimpressive vocals fail to create desired romantic tempo.
Ticket to Hollywood: Neeraj Shridhar (lead vocalist of "Bombay Vikings") is fast catching in Bollywood music fraternity and after impressive "Baat Paaki" ('Just Married'); he gets into groove to pulsate senses in another remarkable soundtrack "Ticket to Hollywood". This fun frolicking number brings shades of his Indi-Pop style of singing that suite the hilarious situation with equally impressive lyrical work. Alisha Chinai, the pop diva who delivered "Kajra Re" with musical trio, babbles out in snooty way as she is the voice over of arrogant beloved who is wooed to travel to "Hollywood". Gulzar's amusing lyrical work acts brilliantly as the number is incorporated with humorous one-liners in depicting attitudes and expression of lovers. Neeraj Shridar maintains his impressive streak of singing and comes up as another winner that will surely boast album sales prospects.
"Dekhoon Tumhe to Pyar Aaye (remix)" comes out with extra long outstretched prelude where medium paced frolicking beats set a tempo for feverish passion on floors. It sounds better from previous remix work and Akbar Sami DJ skills impress to some extent but end up as an average "club" mix number.
Apne: After a couple of disappointing musical works, Himesh Reshammiya props up as praiseworthy composer as he imbibes the traits of Uttam Singh's traditional style of Punjabi folklore music in impressive title track "Apne". It's delightful to hear Son Enigma with Himesh Reshammiya after a long gap and he delivers the finest and worthiest soundtrack of the album. Reshammiya's signature music of "Sarangi" rendition for this title track is hugely inspired from "Udd JA Kale Kauva" (Anil Sharma's 'Gadar-Ek Prem Katha') with a strong tinge of Punjabi musical folk base. The song has a mesmerizing classical "alaap" by impressive Jayesh Gandhi signifying the importance of togetherness and fraternity in a family. Jaspinder Narula's brief interludes give it a feminine touch but this track completely belongs to the genius of Sonu Nigam. Despite the fact the number has strong 90's feel, its melodious textures and rhythmical patterns impress with a relaxing feel. It's high time that Himesh Reshammiya should take backseat as a vocalist and should concentrate more as a composer. After hearing "Apne", listeners will be more interested in hearing Sonu Nigam and Jayesh Gandhi individually in a Himesh Reshammiya's film album.
Ankh Vich Chehra Pyar Da (2 versions): "Ankh Vich Chehra Pyar Da" comes out as family soundtrack with strong Punjabi folk music in a typical Reshammiya Sufi Rock mode. The song has array of singing talents and forays the vocal expertise of Shaan and Kunal Ganjawala along with nasal twang of Himesh Reshammiya. It will be a visual treat as viewers can anticipate all three major stars singing and dancing to contemporary "bhangra" tunes. Talented Amrita Kak is reduced to a background crooner as she renders sensuous "alaaps" in a mediocre number. After 'Shakalaka Boom Boom', the combination of Shaan and Kunal Ganjawala makes another notable performance though it proves too mediocre to hit charts.
After Akbar Sami's poor show as DJ, it's DJ Akhtar coming up with an above average "club" mix number in "Ankh Vich Chehra Pyar Da (remix)". It scores better than the two previous remix numbers but sounds repetitive as similar remix numbers have been heard zillion times in dozens of Reshammiya's album.
Bull's Eye: "Bull's Eye" comes out as musical inspiration from the Hollywood movie theme track "Eye of the Tiger" (Hollywood's super hit 'Rocky') in a contemporary hip-hop rendition. It comes in a blend of frivolous English lyrics sung by Earl and Shaan with brief interludes of Hindi lyrics depicting the theme of 'Apne'. It can be counted as background score where the protagonist prepares himself for the final onslaught.
Tere Sang : "Tere Sang" comes as the slow version of "Apne" with added dosages of "spiritualism" coming in traditional Punjabi religious verses. This brief work has Sonu Nigam along with Jaspinder Narula singing this in ethnical Punjabi folk base music. Like "Bull's Eye", it has strong situational feel that should work aggressively in important phases of the film.
Himesh Reshammiya disappoints completely as a vocalist and as a composer in the much awaited film album 'Apne'. It's continuous failure for him as his last albums have disappointed and proved monotonous and jarring to ears. Barring the exception of 'Aap Ka Surror-The Moviee', all of his albums including 'Apne' have been a big loser. The highlight of the album is the title track "Apne" while all of his hip-shaking numbers have proved a big disappointment. After Akbar Sami's poor show as DJ, it's DJ Akhtar coming up with an above average "club" mix number in "Ankh Vich Chehra Pyar Da (remix)". It scores better than the two previous remix numbers but sounds repetitive as similar remix numbers have been heard zillion times in dozens of Reshammiya's album.
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