Director duo Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s first film ‘Lucky – No Time For Love’ had some splendid compositions by Adnan Sami. Their second film ‘I Love NY’, which arrived after almost after a decade, had a decent soundtrack. Apart from directing films, the duo has helmed several popular music videos. After delivering a winning soundtrack for Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Himesh Reshammiya lends his tunes to Sanam Teri Kasam, Rao and Sapru’s latest venture. As the film is centred on a love story and has a top music director composing for it and is directed by a duo that has a fairly good sense of music, one expects to find at least a couple of good songs in store.
A fairly long prelude is heard at the beginning of “Sanam Teri Kasam”, the title track which has Ankit Tiwari featured as the lead vocalist. While Palak Mucchal, too, has been credited as the vocalist, she gets to sing only one line which is heard a couple of times. The title brings memories of the title track of Sanam Teri Kasam (1982) composed by R.D Burman. While R.D Burman’s track was fun and vivacious, this one has a very intense feel to it. The tune packs in enough drama and intensity to keep you engaged. There is a ‘reprise’ version sung by Mohammed Irfan, whose voice seems to suit the song more than that of Ankit’s.
“Kheech Meri Photo” is a song in which Saru (Mawra Hocane) is shown to be in an inebriated state a la Kajol in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. Given the situation, one expects a fun outing and that is exactly what you get here. Reality show contestants Darshan Raval and Akasa Singh give a good account of themselves. Akasa sounds like Sunidhi Chauhan in parts. The arrangements come across as a bit dated but the tune (specifically, the hook line) is catchy enough for to set your foot tapping.
Himesh, who has got quite selective as a singer, lends his voice for “Bewajah”, a song charged with emotions. The well composed number evokes emotions as it reaches its crescendo. Himesh sings fairly well and brings out the intensity carried by the lyrics penned by Sameer Anjaan to the fore. The orchestral arrangement consisting of a mix of piano, keyboards, electric guitars and drums is fair.
The opening notes of the guitar (which play throughout the song) in “Tera Chehra” instantly reminds one of similar opening notes of Sachin-Jigar’s “I Will Be There For You” (‘Teree Sang’). However, the similarity between the two songs ends there. The mildly semi-classical tune mostly rests on guitar, tabla, pads and a bit of keyboards. Arijit Singh pours his soul into “Tera Chehra” which, arguably, is the best song on the album.
Those who used to follow the reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005 would know that “Haal-E-Dil” is a reworked version of a composition that Himesh Reshammiya had composed for his protégé Vineet Singh (who later went on to sing for him in ‘Rocky’, ‘Nanhe Jaisalmer’, ‘Son Of Sardaar’, ‘Khiladi 786’ etc.). Himesh seems to be inspired by Ismail Darbar’s school of music as this song bears the stamp of the sound that was synonymous with Darbar. A good number that has been performed well by Sreerama Chandra and Neeti Mohan in their respective versions.
Himesh turns lyricist with “Ek Number” and writes annoying ‘Wikipedia pe check kar le’ and cliché lines that makes one want to tell him not to pick up the pen again. The lines reserved for the female singer are downright chafing but Neeti mouths them with utmost sincerity. Even with terrible lyrics and the track oscillating between being sensuous, funny and even emotional, it still works to a certain extent as the tune is reasonably engaging.
Even though “Main Teri Yaadon Mein” has a promising tune, it might put off some listeners because of an appallingly dated sound. It is a techno heavy track which one would have expected Bappi Lahiri to compose in the 80s or Viju Shah to come up with in the early 90s. In fact, the one song it instantly reminds one of is Bappi Lahiri’s “Yaad Aa Raha Hai” (‘Disco Dancer’). Himesh does not seem to have paid any attention to the arrangements but the song is saved by a catchy tune and Arijit Singh’s impassioned singing.
Rating: 3/5
