One does not really expect an album loaded with songs from a film which based on a real-life event and one which does not (presumably) has an elaborate romantic track. A couple of situational tracks befitting the theme of the film are what one usually finds in such soundtracks. ‘Neerja’, a film which revolves around a hijacking event, has four original tracks. Though Prasoon Joshi is one of the most revered lyricists in the Hindi film industry, composer Vishal Khurana is a largely unknown name in the film music circuit.
Kavita Seth’s tranquil voice is heard in a Hindi film album after a long time with “Jeete Hain Chal”. The composition is simple but heart-warming. The lyrics have the kind of vivid imagery that you associate with Prasoon Joshi. The subtle hint of melancholy in the song is brought out beautifully by Kavita. The Gayatri Mantra chants rendered by the choral vocalists in the beginning and the final portions add to the serenity of the song.
“Aankhein Milayenge Darr Se”, the promotional track, is voiced by K. Mohan and Neha Bhasin. The well-intended song, which speaks about fighting your fears, has some evocative lines written by Prasoon Joshi. Though the track has a fairly engaging anthem-like sound to it, the tune falls flat. One does not see bit of spark in the composition put together by Vishal Khurana. The rap portion sung by Neha Bhasin sounds jarring to the ears.
Shekhar Ravjiani, one half of the music composing duo Vishal-Shekhar, plays Sonam Kapoor’s love interest in the movie. So, the fact that his voice is heard on one of the tracks in the album barely comes as a surprise. “Gehra Ishq” starts off with a soft, largely westernised sound before an unimaginative qawalli portion (which seems forced in the song) kicks in. The song manages to engage but only in parts. Shekhar’s voice, undoubtedly, towers above every other element in the song.
“Aisa Kyun Maa” is a song that talks about the relationship shared between a mother and a daughter from the latter’s point of view. Even though the track boasts of some brilliant poetry written by Prasoon Joshi and has Sunidhi Chauhan reciting those lines with utmost sincerity, the tune fails to hold your interest for long. The track has an innocent quality to it which is likeable but that is not enough for one to sit through a dull composition.
The soundtrack of Neerja seems to resonate the voice of the film. While these songs might serve as interesting theme pieces in the film, most of them fail to entice one as standalone audio tracks. While it is great to see Prasoon Joshi write for a Hindi film after a long time, composer Vishal Khurana does not really impress in his first film as a solo composer.
Rating: 2/5
