In the past, many talented musicians have tried their luck at composing for movies, but not all of them have been successful. This is because composing for movies requires a deep understanding of the filmmaking process and the ability to create music that complements the story, characters and visuals.
Raghav Sachar was aware of the challenges involved in composing for movies, but he was confident in his abilities. He had already learned a great deal from working on other film projects and he was eager to put his skills to the test at Yash Raj Films.
Sachar received the perfect project at the perfect time with ‘Kabul Express’ (2006). This was a time when offbeat movies were finding a place in Bollywood and formulaic music had been tested and tried for decades. Experimental and world music were slowly making an entry and ‘Kabul Express’ is a documentary where unusual music is demanded and also needs to be in sync with the theme of the movie.
“Banjar” is a hit straight from the first note. It is a fresh, unheard and captivating song that reflects the music of this new generation of composers. The music company packaged it into three different versions and they all rock! It is a song that defies easy categorization. It is a mix of different genres, including Indian classical music, pop and rock. The musician’s unique sound and style is evident in every note of the song.
The three versions of “Banjar” are all different but they all share the same basic elements: Sachar’s powerful vocals, catchy melodies and driving rhythms. The first version is the most traditional, featuring Indian classical instruments such as the sitar and tabla. The second version is a more upbeat pop version, with a catchy chorus and danceable beats. The third version is a rock version, with distorted guitars and heavy drums.
On a side note, although the flute piece is nice in the context of the song, honestly there is nothing musically special about it. Flute interludes experts like Anu Malik and Anand-Milind have tried all sorts of melodies in interludes in the ’90s.
KK makes a rocking entry in the soundtrack with his energetic voice in “Banjar Revisited”. The talented singer injects a new life in the song and the track shapes up into a very likeable KK number. His explosive performance is too good and overshadows the whole tune but the voice takes all the credit here. The music develops at a faster pace with catchy rhythms and sounds, mostly techno-pop ones. A must listen!!!
Raghav Sachar’s “Lounge Mix” of “Banjar” with Sunidhi Chauhan has a sombre mood and a zippy and trendy number. Vocal effects and flute music are well done. It’s another engaging version of “Banjar” not to be missed!
Raghav Sachar’s “Kabul Fiza” is a fusion of pop, techno and classical music. The first version, sung by Sachar himself, is not particularly catchy, but the backdrop of Afghanistan provides a unique and interesting soundscape. The Remix Version is fast-paced but not catchy enough and the “Kabul Fiza Theme” is too short and repetitive.
“The Kabul Express Theme”, composed by Julius Packiam, is a hauntingly beautiful piece of music that captures the loneliness and fear of being in the Afghan desert. The unknown female vocal gels well with the theme of the track and the flute and synthesisers create a unique and atmospheric soundscape.
“Keh Raha Mera Dil” is a pop song with shades of the remixed version of “Bahon Mein Chale Aao” by Mahalakshmi Iyer. The guitar and flute are prominently featured in the track and the arrangements are reminiscent of a pop album. The song has a catchy tune but the ‘mukhda’ is set at a pitch that is too high towards the end, which can be jarring. Overall, this is a cool number to be enjoyed.
“Yeh Main Aaya Kahan” sounds like another version of “Keh Raha Mera Dil”, with the same arrangements and a light pop sound. Raghav provides generous doses of music throughout the track and also uses a lifting female chorus. The rhythm has been crafted once again to cater for a pop audience. The song still works because of the fresh voice and neat arrangements but it doesn’t excite much.
Raghav Sachar’s soundtrack for ‘Kabul Express’ is a fresh and original take on Bollywood music. He dared to use a variety of voices, including Shubha Mudgal, KK and Sunidhi Chauhan and his compositions are innovative and experimental. The “Kabul Fiza Theme” is particularly noteworthy and “Banjar” is sure to be a hit with the masses.
Rating: 3/5
