EXPECTATIONS
Despite the name Pritam staring from the credit details of
Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, you are not overtly
enthused about what the music would have to offer. Despite
the fact that most Milan Luthria films (Kachhe Dhaage,
Taxi No. 9211) have boasted of good music, you are not
really sure if there would be something similar this time
around. Despite the fact that Emraan Hashmi and good music
go hand in hand, you wonder whether the good run will
continue with Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai. There is a
singular reason for that. The film belongs to gangster genre
which, on paper, leaves very minimal scope for a popular
soundtrack. At maximum a song or two goes on to become a
chartbuster, as has been evidenced in Company (Khallas)
and Shoot Out At Lokhandwala (Ganpat). However,
something with lends wholesome popular appeal doesn't quite
appear to be on cards. Well, the speculations go out of the
window as Pritam along with Irshad Kamil, Nilesh Mishra and
Amitabh Bhattacharya prove otherwise and come up with a
soundtrack which surprises and entertains.
MUSIC
It's trademark Pritam in the very opening notes of 'Pee
Loon Hoto Ki Sargam' which has an 'alaap' going in the
background before Mohit Chauhan arrives on scene. A beautiful
melody that has chorus adding on that additional zing to the
proceedings, 'Pee Loon' is a loveable track that boasts
of some poetic lyrics by Irshad Kamil. With a slight sufi touch
to it, 'Peen Loon' is the kind of track that Imtiaz Ali
would have loved to grab with both hands. In fact if 'mukhda' is
a great kick start, 'antara' is even better as Mohit Chauhan
gets the boyish charm of Emraan translated through his voice. A
good kick start and a winner all the way, the song also arrives
in a enjoyable 'remix version' and in the process keeps Emraan's
hit record intact.
Set in the 70s, 'Tum Jo Aaye' is a quintessential
Bollywood track where Tulsi Kumar leads from the front. Even
though Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is also roped in for the song, he
arrives only two minutes into the song. Yes, Tulsi does fine in
giving the song a kick start but Rahat's entry brings an
altogether different dimension to this love song which has
elements of 'qawalli' to it. Also, despite the fact that the
song is set in the 70s, Pritam doesn't make it sound like a
caricature and keeps it true to its theme. Written by Irshad
Kamil, this song also arrives in a solo 'reprise version' by
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and it is tough not to play it on in a
repeat version. Yet another winner in the album.
Remember 'Monica O My Darling' from Apna Desh? The
song is presented in its new avtar with Irshad Kamil
rechristening it as 'Parda'. While the basic
essence of 'Monica' is kept intact, Pritam brings in a new
flavour to it by doing his own bit. Rather than a straight
forward 'remix version', 'Parda' is presented as an
altogether new song especially during the 'antara' part. Sung by
Sunidhi Chauhan, Anupam and Rana, this song stays totally glued
to the cabaret tracks of the late 60s/early 70s and should
definitely make for a very good impact on screen as a part of
the narrative.
The song that is timeless though and doesn't just belong to the
70s or the current times is 'I Am In Love'. If 'Pee
Loon' reminded one of Imtiaz Ali films, 'I Am In Love'
is the kind of track that follows Anurag Basu template. If
Life In A Metro is your poison, rest assured Milan Luthria
has inspired Pritam good enough to make a melodious track like 'I
Am In Love'. A song which you just wish could be played in
loop for hours at stretch; it is yet another instance of an 'antara'
turning out to be even better than 'mukhda'. Also, Nilesh Mishra
brings in a new combination of words despite the song being
titled plain and simple 'I Am In Love'.
The song arrives thrice in the album with backup vocals by
Dominique and while the solo version by relatively new entrant
Karthik is good, it is K.K.'s version that takes the song to a
different high altogether. The experience matters here and so
does the composer-singer combination which results in yet
another song which will definitely find popularity, especially
amongst youth. Also, rest assured, the song will find a definite
inclusion in all the 'love compilation' albums in months to
come. The 'dance version' further adds variety and also
justifies the confidence that the makers had in bringing this
song multiple times in the album.
'Babu Rao Mast Hai' - Now any college goer will
hear these lyrics and would immediately imply what it is trying
to say. However, to the credit of the team here (lyricist:
Amitabh Bhattacharya, singer: Mika), there isn't anything risque
about the song until and unless someone truly runs his
imagination wild and reads between the words. Yes, it is spicy,
mischievous and edgy. However, it is more about the escapades of
a gangster rather than his love for women and wine which makes
it stand apart from 'Ganpat' or 'Khallas'. It
takes a couple of listening to grasp the tune but once that
happens, it hooks on to you. Given Emraan Hashmi's on-screen
image, that of someone who has a naughty streak to him, 'Babu
Rao' can find good patronage coming for itself.
.
As mentioned above, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai throws a
surprise, a mighty pleasant one at that. There is no average
song in the album as all range from good to very good. Also,
there are definite chartbusters like 'Pee Loon Hoto Ki Sargam',
'I Am In Love' and 'Baburao' (if the movie runs,
there won't be any stopping this one). In addition, 'Tum Jo
Aaye' and 'Parda' add further value to the film's
music, hence making it a complete album. Once the initial
inhibition about the album offering only gangster score settles
down and the fact emerges that there are quite a few love songs
on the offing as well, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai should
enjoy a long innings ahead.
OUR PICK(S)
'Pee Loon Hoto Ki Sargam', 'I Am In Love' (K.K.), Baburao', 'Tum
Jo Aaye - Reprise'
  
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