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The Urdu word ‘Parindey’ (birds) is used very often in Hindi films these days. The word seems to have caught the fancy of lyricists who use it in songs (“Naadan Parindey”, “Khaabon Ke Parindey”, “Aafaton Ke Parindey”) and makers who make it a part of the title of their films (‘Lafangey Parindey’). ‘Ishq Ke Parindey’ is yet another take on two people, belonging to either side of the border, falling in love with each other. Starring newcomers Rishi Verma and Priyanka Mehta, the film has been directed by Shakir Khan who has been serving as an assistant to Subhash Ghai in the past.
Sonu Nigam is joined by Keka Ghoshal, an ex-reality show contestant, in the romantic duet “Ek Hatheli”. The song takes one back to the late 90s/early 2000s. Vijay Vermaa’s music sounds very familiar but the composer succeeds in creating a fairly melodious track that one would not mind hearing once. It must have been a nostalgic experience for Sonu to sing the kind of song that he used to sing for the likes of Nikhil-Vinay back in the day. Keka Ghoshal’s voice sounds like a crossover between Sapna Mukherjee and Sunidhi Chauhan and performs well.
“Ek Hatheli (Sad)” has Sonu Nigam singing a couple of lines from the original track in a gloomy voice. The track lasts for just about 1 minute and 43 seconds and serves as a good extension to the original. The song, in parts, would remind you of the sad version of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”. Of course, no comparisons should be made to the much superior Jatin-Lalit composition.
“Ek Hatheli (Remix)”, sung by Vijay Vermaa and Supriya Pathak (not the actress), is completely avoidable. Vijay tries to turn a romantic track into a club number and fails miserably. The track has been remixed very badly. Neither the techno arrangements nor the superfluous singing by Vijay and Supriya work.
The opening notes of Rashid Khan’s “Rab Se Mangi” are similar to “Deewana Kar Raha Hai” (‘Raaz 3’), another song composed by him. The comparisons do not stop as the track moves forward as you realize there is a certain similarity as far as the structure of the song goes. Javed Ali, who sang the ‘Raaz 3’ number, lends his voice for this song as well. Giving him company is Palak Muchhal’s saccharine voice. The oft-repeated but engaging music and the singers make it a melodious affair.
As “Rab Se Mangi (Remix)” arrives, you cannot help but wonder as to why the makers got some decent tracks to be remixed badly and ruin whatever impact the original tracks had on the listener. Mohd. Irfan sings well but this song was not meant for his voice. One feels bad for newcomer Suvani Raj whose voice has been auto-tuned so badly that it makes her sound like she cannot hit a musical note right.
The title track “Ishq Ke Parindey”, composed by Sajjad Ali, is a fairly ordinary composition taken several notches higher by Shadaab Faridi’s voice and some thought provoking lyrics. One gets a better understanding of the metaphor ‘Ishq Ke Parindey’ (the birds of love) with regard to the context of the film. Birds are not bound by any boundaries and can move freely across man-made borders and different countries without any hindrance. The arrangements, with some harmonious choral vocals, are good.
The duo of Javed Ali and Palak Muchhal are repeated though by a different composer. Vijay Verma composes yet another predictable but melodious number in “Tumse Milke”. This time, he derives inspiration from Anu Malik and the kind of sound the veteran composer stuck to in the late 90s and early millennium. The track has an Indian sound to it with some subtle notes of guitar and keyboards.
The Sajjad Ali composed “Saiyyan” is a raga based track with electronic beats. “Saiyyan” has a haunting feel to it and takes a while to pick up. The track does not have much weight and does not last long enough to make an impact. Debutante Raktima impresses with her classical rendition.
KK pours his soul into “Dil Tod Ke”, a pensive song composed by Vijay Vermaa. Unfortunately, the composition is extremely dull and tests one’s patience as you listen to the entire track. KK’s voice and the nicely arranged percussions, guitars and violins help one sail through it but one does not feel like coming back to it after one listening.
Be it “Der Na Ho Jaaye” (‘Henna’) or “Aaya Tere Dar Pe Deewana” (‘Veer Zaara’), almost all the films based on an Indo-Pak love story had a qawalli in it. Singers Javed Ali, Altamash Faridi, Aftab and Hashim Sabri, who have been associated with several qawalli styled songs in the past, sing “Maula Karde Karam”. This Rashid Khan composed qawalli turns out to be a routine affair what with it sounding like thousands of qawallis one has heard. There is no novelty in the music making it a one-time hear.
Shadaab Faridi is retained as the singer in “Ishq Ke Parindey – Part 2” but this one has no similarity with the original track. While the singer restrained in the original, he sings this one in an aggressive manner as the track demands the same. This one, unlike the title track, is not for your ears but for your eyes. The song, should most likely make an appearance in the climax of the film.
One did not have any expectations from the music of ‘Ishq Ke Parindey’, a film which has neither being promoted well nor has some face value to boast of. The fact that the soundtrack turns out to be listenable does come as a surprise. No, it does not turn out to be a huge musical bonanza but is a decent, respectable effort by composers Vijay Vermaa, Rashid Khan and Sajjad Ali.
Anish Mohanty tweets @anishmohanty
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