Woh Lamhe Soundtrack

I think this is the first time I am buying a movie soundtrack not because of the composer but for the production house and the actors in the movie. I was very much impressed by the performance of Shiney Ahuja and Kanaga Ranaut in “Gangster”. The songs in Gangster are excellent and are well placed in the movie which enhances the impact of the song on the listeners. All the movies from Bhatt productions have got great romantic songs, though they blatantly copy and use the songs without giving any credits to the original makers. They do select some great melodies from Pakistani and Arabic pop music which we Indian music listener’s may miss otherwise.

How To Rate the album: I am and almost everyone is aware that not all the songs are original in this soundtrack so I am not going to waste my time and space complaining the makers for doing so and it turn giving a low rating. Let us treat it as just another album where you have songs that we haven’t heard before and so relatively for us they are original. I am not going to give any credit for the beauty of the melodies in the song to any single composer except for the one composed by Roop Kumar Rathod. So all the curse and praise is for whomever it may concern. But at least this time, on the back of the album cover they have differentiated the songs that are not originally composed by Pritam from that he has composed by putting a note like ”Music arranged by Pritam” which means it is just arranged and orchestrated by Pritam and not originally composed by him.

The album starts on a happy energetic note with “Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai”. The guitar riffs give a casual and energetic tone to the song. A strange and unique vocal harmony singing in some strange language sounds good and adds a new flavour to the song. Kay Kay’s expressive rendition is the life and soul of the song. This is the only song in the album where there is no use of instruments like violins, piano or flute to evoke romanticism which makes it peppy and more easily appealing to all kind of listeners. Instead the tune itself carries the necessary mood and along with a perfect rhythm and beats the song is instantly catchy number of the lot. What I like most about the tune is that the notes just casually fall in right place one after the other. As always the remix version of the song has nothing much to offer except for loud thumping beats added to pep up the track and make it more suitable for playing in pubs.

“Chal Chale” is sung by none other than James who sung the most expressive and emotive song “Bheegi” in Gangster. After hearing Bheegi, I thought this song is way too simple for his caliber and even it doesn’t suit his voice, his so very expressive voice needs song of more emotional depth in tune or may be he should have sung in a softer note. I am not saying that this song is bad, but someone else with a softer voice could have sung this one. Other than that, the song is good with a beautiful tune. The song starts beautifully with Guitar pieces and harmonica with strong strings backing. The violins enter the album in this song but thankfully not in a clichéd way. The strings backing the vocals in the fore are so good and even the string pieces in the interludes are very catchy. I liked the usage of Harmonica; it adds some freshness to the song.

It is as though the lyrics “To jo Nahin to kuch bhi nahin hai” indicating the strings like how a love song feel without strings in it, strings has been used a plenty in this song. Infact, this song has got all the clichés I have listed which was not there in previous songs like loud violins, flute, piano and Dholaks in it. But what makes this song click in spite of the clichéd orchestration is its soulful tune. Just listen to the tune when it is played in Piano. The flute and the way it leads to the main tune played on piano in the prelude are beautiful. Glenn John does a good job in rendering this Ghazal with right feel. The orchestration in the interludes clearly indicates the work of Pritam in its arrangement.

”So Jaaon Main” is my pick of the album. Composed by the singer Roop Kumar Rathod, everything is just so beautiful and perfect in this song. The orchestration is so soothing and pleasant and carries the melody like how a breeze carries a flying leaf on its path. Pouring in enough passion and pain in the song is Shreya Ghosal’s voice. I am tired of praising her again and again; she is already on her way to become a legend soon. I like the rhythm of the song very much; it is very difficult to think of such different rhythms for melodies like this. There is another version of the song sung by Kunal Ganjwala. Please don’t skip this version thinking that it is the same song being repeated. Kunal’s voice and his rendition is yet another treat to listen to.

The start of song with acoustic guitar instantly reminded me a song from Gangster but as the humming starts song “Bin Tera” starts to take stand on its own. Acoustic and bass Guitar is beautifully used throughout the song which has got a minimal orchestration otherwise. The soulful tune and the soothing orchestration are pleasant and romantic.

Go for it. Bhatts keep up their promise yet again.