Chocolate

Article Updated 29 August, 2005 02:02:27 PM IST

Chocolate

The rise of the multiplexes and the phenomenal revenue they generate, have thrown open the doors to the lovers of unconventional cinema. 'Chocolate' is one such offering. An unusual name with stars that range from hard core commercial genre like Anil Kapoor and Sunil Shetty, to the likes of Irfan Khan from 'good cinema' and Emraan Hashmi from 'bad cinema' (for critics!) to the likes of Sushma Reddy, who once again is from a different set up.

The music director here is Pritam, who after giving a super hit score in 'Dhoom' is no novice to thrillers. In addition to Pritam, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Vishal-Shekhar and Salim Suleiman are some other names that have added a new dimension to the Indian music scene. To be precise, it is more techno, more Western and more funky and mainly aimed at the Gen-X.

Back to 'Chocolate'. As soon as the first track 'Halka Halka Sa Yeh Sama' begins with the same old rap and English interludes, one gets the feeling that it will be another one of those 'mix and match' songs. But that is not the case. The moment Sonu Nigam takes over, the style and momentum changes completely. The number intoxicates the listener, slowly but surely. Sonu is delightful and the picturisation on the streets of London is fabulous. The liberal use of electric flute (Jethro Tull's favourite) along with electric drums is enchanting. The lyrics of Mayur Puri and Pritam's music result in one of the best tracks of 'Chocolate'.

Coming to the remixed version of 'Halka Halka Sa Yeh Sama', one feels that the original track was good enough and there was no need of a 'formality remix' that succeeds in reducing some of the above-mentioned high points of the track.

'Panaahon Mein Mohabbat Ki' starts off as a Reggae & Rap mixture, but cannot be classified as either. The result is fabulous but sorry to say only in the 'mukhda'. As the 'antra' begins, one is aghast at the blatant copy of Nadeem Shravan's super hit song 'Rabba Ishq Na Hove' from 'Andaaz'. The lyrics by Praveen Bharadwaj (more famous for his Hindi lyrics), demonstrates his command over Urdu. Kunal Ganjawala is as good as ever.

Next up, 'Jhuki Jhuki' has Kailash Kher who has completely taken over Sukhwinder Singh (especially) as far as new composers are concerned. He excels in numbers such as these. The composition by Pritam is Sufi style combined with Arabian folk music. It is a very rhythmic number that is likely to rock the discos. Though the hangover from Anu's 'Mujhse Mast Mahaul Mein Jeene De' from 'Fiza' is there (slightly) and maybe it has more to do with the presence of the same singer - Sunidhi.

'Chocolate Theme' comes twice in the album. It's a combo of fast paced techno beats and synthesized sounds accompanied by extremely rhythmic percussion instruments. One of the better attempts at theme songs after Rahman (who excels).

'Khalish' starts off with lots of unidentified weeping-like background sounds. The song obviously depicts a disturbed state of mind/situation that has been brought to life by the excellent music piece using beats and electric guitar and the hard rock elements in the song bear testimony to the fact. Kunal and Suzan together are able to put through the hurt and suffering what the lyricist along with the composer have set forth to do.

Next track 'Bheega Bheega' has the 'in demand' rapper Indi who starts the track in his familiar way (so common to many albums) but as Sunidhi takes over, once again the track changes complexion as it transforms into a sweet, melodious and soft romantic number. The lyrics "Bheega bheega sa ye December hai " manages to bring a smile!

'Mummy' is not an ode to a mother! Instead it is a fast paced dance number with at times extremely funny lyrics like "Tequila ka ek shot hoon mai" but at times the lyrics are quite disgusting. Sunidhi tries and succeeds (to an extent) in imparting a childish flavour to this otherwise disappointing number.

What can one say about 'Zehreeli Raatein' except that it's a complete rip-off from Atif Aslam's (Pakistan pop sensation) 'Bheegi Bheegi Raatein' from 'Zeher' (originally from the album 'Aadat'). In the case of 'Zeher', the makers had Atif singing his own song(s). Here, it is a blatant case of plagiarism. By the way, the 'Chocolate' makers have shot promotional video of 'Zehreeli Raatein' featuring Tanushree Dutta and Sushma Reddy. Let's wait and see if it works for 'Chocolate' like the 'Woh Lamhe' promotional worked wonders for 'Zeher'.

On the whole 'Chocolate' is a good buy especially for the younger audiences who have not patronized the recent albums (except for 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne'). It is an offering, which is quite in sync with what is in demand these days.

Rating: 7/10

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