Zindaggi Rocks
Tanuja Chandra has been known for making films that revolve
around female protagonists. Starting from ''Dushman'' Kajol, ''Sangharsh''
Preity Zinta and ''Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar'' Amisha Patel to ''Sur - The Melody of
Life'' Gauri Karnik and Film Star Mahima Chaudhary, each of her films have
starred a female in a pivotal role.
Meanwhile Sushmita Sen too is acting in more
and more films that have a statement to make from a female''s point of view or
at least have a female as the central protagonists. ''Samay - When Time
Strikes'', ''Paisa Vasool'', ''Vaastu Shastra'' to ''Chingaari'' are just to
name a few. This is what makes the project ''Zindagii Rocks'' exciting since it
brings the two females together. Presence of Shiney Ahuja as a male lead further
adds on to the uniqueness of this project that is touted to feature some
''rocking'' music by Anu Malik who now prefers to be called Aanuu Mallik.
Mudassar Aziz is the lyricist. Earlier titled Rockin'', the film comes from the
banner of BAG Films and is slated for a September release.
Aanuu Mallik hasn''t been having a great 2006 with first Himesh Reshammiya
hogging away all the limelight for his solo title version of ''Humko Deewana Kar
Gaye'' when the fact was that Mallik scored for the rest of the album. This was
followed by some average score in ''Pyaare Mohan''. Does he strike back with
''Zindaggi Rocks''? Yes, indeed he does!
Javed Ali, who has been slowly but steadily getting recognition in the world of
playback singing, gets an opportunity to begin the proceedings of the album with
''Meri Dhoop Hai Tu''. From the lyrics it seems to be an intellectual track but
that turns out to be a deception since Aanuu Malik presents this love song in a
rhythmic mode. Tulsi Kumar, who has sung her maximum songs with Himesh
Reshammiya so far though she also had a hit in the form of Aanuu Malik''s
version of the title song of ''Humko Deewana Kar Gaye'', comes along with Javed
Ali for this item song which is quite well written by Sayeed Quadri who has been
roped in for just this track. The remix version
follows immediately that maintains the same pace with the arrangements just
becoming crisper and a little stylish. Overall a decent catchy track to mark the
beginning of an album from which there are much expectations.
From hereon Mudassar Aziz takes over as a lyricist starting with ''Rabbi''. The
funky manner with which this track begins, it is reminiscent to Pritam style of
composition, what with rap-n-reggae thrown in along with heavy duty beats and
interspersion of the word ''Rabbi''. Krishna starts the song with an extended
''aalap'' before Zubeen Garg and Sunidhi Chauhan take over the mike. There are
just some slight shades of Middle-East music in this smashing number that has a
potential to be an instant hit allover if promoted aggressively.
For a track like ''Rabbi'' it is imperative that it features in a remix version
too. Justified in its presence in the album, now the call of the situation is a
promotional video to be built around it and the results should be there to be
seen. The only word of caution - though as a listener one doesn''t really care
much of the song is an original or an inspiration, one hopes for Aanuu Mallik''s
sake that this is entirely his own since he is anyways working quite exclusively
today in the wake of Reshammiya and Pritam wave!
Remember Anushka Manchandani who was heard in the hit title track of ''Golmaal''
a few weeks back. The girl with a sensual-n-husky voice is back with yet another
title song, this time for ''Zindaggi Rocks''. The album continues to be set in a
rock mode as the song is the first in the album to be actually based on a live
concert. The song sounds just fine when one expected a much contemporary track
for a title song that should be appearing at a crucial juncture of the movie.
The song has a feeling of déjà vu, especially during the ''antara'' portions,
and it is only the western arrangements that still manage to make it sail
through. Overall, it succeeds to a fair extent for the situation since it
creates a euphoric feel of a real time rock concert.
From here begin a string of Sunidhi Chauhan solos that take the album till its
end. After all the rock-n-roll happening on your music system, things turn
mellow with an arrival of ''Ek Din Fursat'', something that one was looking for.
Coming quite close to the style of ''Le Chale'' My Brother Nikhil'' , it too has
a very deep feel to it that is enhanced to a great effect due to
smooth-n-soothing musical arrangements. Also the sound design around Sunidhi''s
voice makes it a special song and undoubtedly the best of the enterprise so far.
Though Sunidhi is on the forefront of this track, Mudassar Aziz lyrics deserve a
special mention for the feel they create. Also the veteran in Aanuu Mallik shows
why he is around for decades inspite of competition coming in from all quarters.
A beautifully written song that has been given a divine treatment by the
composer and singer!
Do we really need a remix version for a mellow track like ''Ek Din Fursat''? One
can''t help asking this question before playing on the remix version that
follows. Thankfully the essence of the track is maintained in this retro version
of the song that creates a feel of the early 80s something on the lines of
musical arrangement by Biddu and makes ''Ek Din Fursat'' a great hear again. The
English passages throughout the track only add on to the impact.
''Humko Chhoone Paas Aayiye'' is the second rock ballad in a row for this album
that continues to throw in surprises. For those who love anything that is not
conventionally Bollywood, this is the one for you. A beautiful love song with a
guitar accompanying Sunidhi''s voice, it is difficult to select between it and
''Ek Din Fursat'' for the better of the lot! Excellent arrangements by Mallik
make this melodious track extremely likeable. Lyrics too are above ordinary and
do not even once try to follow the routine ''ishk vishk pyaar vyaar'' approach.
This makes it two in a row for Sunidhi as far as coming up with some lovely
solos is concerned!
It''s back to performing live in a concert with ''Hadh Ko Adab Ko'', a rock
track. Fitting in well with the genre of the film, this Sunidhi Chauhan number
reminds one of numerous songs belonging to this genre that one would have heard
in Hollywood musicals. The song is fit for its situation and as expected a remix
version of the same appears too. There is a calypso element involved in the
track here that brings the concert to fun on a sunny beach. Peppy and enjoyable!
''Zindaggi Rocks'' is an album that truly surprises. Though Tanuja Chandra''s
''Sur'' really had some ''sureela sangeet'', one wasn''t sure if her
collaboration with Aanuu Malik would indeed be able to pull off a score that
would befit the film''s genre. Well, in addition to some rocking tracks like
''Rabbi'' and ''Meri Dhoop Hai Tu'', the surprise comes in the form of ''Ek Din
Fursat'' and ''Humko Chhoone Paas Aayiye'' which are just delicious.
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