Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena

Article Updated 06 September, 2005 02:41:12 PM IST

Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena

Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) may not have been able to score at the box-office off late but their music mostly has done so. The music of 'Shabd' is an example of that just like 'Kaante' (with which Pritish was associated though in a different role).

Here we have the popular Pritam who hit the bull's eye with 'Dhoom' last year and has also been reasonably successful with his 'Chocolate' score. so we do expect another good album from him. Let us see what the combination of PNC and Pritam has to offer.

Before we get down to review the first track of 'Ek Khiladi Ek Naseena' (being aired on the channels), a piece of Bollywood history as always. Firoz Khan who plays a major important role in the movie was probably the first to introduce us to the British Punjabi Pop way back in 1992 with 'Yalgaar', by way of UK based Channi Singh's chartbusting Punjabi pop compositions (something Bollywood is accepting/discovering now).

Back to 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena', the first track
'Ishq Hai Jhoota' is derived from what we have just discussed above. The lyrics (Mayur Puri) may not be in Punjabi but the basic music and composition is definitely Punjabi Pop. The song is in the same corridor as Fardeen's last hit 'Kambakht Ishq', though lyrically and musically they are poles apart . The track has some superb arrangements (rap/heavy drumming). Looks like another popular number for Fardeen. The rhythm is deadly, the kind that forces you to dance. Sunidhi and Ganjawala are in full form .

The remixed version of 'Ishq Hai Jhoota' by Jatin Sharma is like most other remixed versions being dished out these days. They are just space fillers with a faster tempo, rhythm and beats.

Next track 'Jal Jal Ke Dhuan' appears to be a soft melodious romantic on first hearing the number. If we delve deeper, we notice heavy inspirations (especially the style of singing) from Sonu Nigam's (who is also the singer here) non-filmi hit album 'Jaan' (video directed by 'Dus' director Anubhav Sinha). All the same, Amitabh Verma's lyrics deserve a mention "Jal jal ke dhuan ho rahe hum , Nas nas mein nasha bheega hai mann"

Credit must be given to Bunty Rajput who has done the remixed version of 'Jal Jal Ke Dhuan' and does manage to infuse life into the otherwise mundane number .

'Yaaron' is a carefree, cool friendship, situational number . The music is in sync with the lyrics and highlights the friendship between the lead artists. It is quite an unusual number that tries to create a pop number using the 'in between' dialogues from Kishore Kumar's 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi' and Amitabh's highly popular 'Chal Mere Bhai' from 'Naseeb' . Sonu and Shaan vibe well and do a good job.

The second version of 'Yaaron' is quite similar to the first one except that the in between dialogues/talks (tapori style) is missing. It is a cool, trendy, youthful number.

'Ankhiyan Na Maar' is the one millionth version of the famous Punjabi folk dance number 'Laung Gavacha'! Seems like Pritam is running out of ideas or trying to feed on the ignorance of the listeners. Mixing English rap with Punjabi folk doesn’t (always) create chartbusters. The talented Sunidhi does manage to bring about some novelty with her unique singing.

The remixed version by Bunty Rajput is another routine job and hardly deserves a mention, though thankfully he does not up the tempo too much.

On to the next track 'Nasha' featuring the talented Sukhwinder Singh. While some may find it unbelievable, others funny, the 'antra' of this song is a total lift from the 'antra' of the much maligned (but highly popular) 'Jab Tak Rahega Somese Mein Aaloo' from David Dhawan's Akshay-Juhi starrer 'Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi'. Hear it if you don’t believe us!. But yes, otherwise the song overall is quite good and the high pitched singing by Sukhwinder is excellent.

Next up, 'Jhoom' is essentially the essence of 'Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena', which is prevalent throughout the movie. One can classify it as the theme song. Suzanne 'D' Mello starts off the song with 'Ek Tha Khiladi, Thoda Anari, Ek thi haseena, Uski Deewani'. The guitar in the initial part is straight out of Deep Purple's 'Smoke On The Water'. It is basically a passionate seduction or inviting number (has to be as the movie has Koena Mitra playing the female lead !). Credit must be given to Suzanne, who proves that it’s just not the English lyrics/tracks that she is adept at. If given a chance (like here), she could give many of the current lead female singers a run for their money .

Overall, it’s a let down from the first time combination of Pritish Nandy Communication and Pritam. Though some of the younger audiences may like it, especially if they are already bored with 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne' ( the current chart topper) and Pritam's own 'Chocolate' and especially those who have to buy something new (every week) for their car decks. We wont stop them!

Rating: 6.5/10

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