Saawan... The Love Season

Article Updated 03 April, 2006 11:34:30 PM IST

Saawan... The Love Season

Saawan Kumar is one producer-director who has ears for good music. Driving down the memory lane, one just cannot ignore the music of 'Saajan Bina Suhagan' (jubilee Kumar or Rajendra Kumar's last hit), 'Sautan' or 'Sanam Bewafa'; to name a few.

However, his last few movies became croppers both musically and otherwise. But the promos of his latest 'Saawan ... The Love Season', currently on air do indicate that it may just about redeem his reputation (somewhat). So let us see if we are correct.

The album kick starts with the pacy, rhythmic 'Punjabi Ankhowali'. It's a routine college track but with Shaan at his naughty best, the track does sound better than it actually is! The Hindi-Punjabi lyrics are cute and cheeky and lyricist Saawan Kumar shows his admiration for his hero Salman, though in a strange kind of way - 'Ladki, yeh sab kudiyon mein hai Salman!'

Next, we have the highlight track, 'Tu Mila De' (picturized on Salman). It is by the guest composers Sajid-Wajid, who have given their favourite hero Salman Khan their best composition by way of 'Hello Brother', 'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya' and the blockbuster 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi'.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of this number, we would like to inform you (those who still don't know) that Sajid-Wajid were the ones who gave Sonu Nigam his big break with their Ataullah Khan (adaptation) albums, which became the rage across India in the '90s. We must add that Sonu, at that time was stagnating at T-Series, singing his idol late Mohd. Rafi cover versions, like many others.

Coming back to 'Tu Mila De', the number is very much in the mould and mood of what we have just discussed above and opens with a couplet - 'Ishq mein lut gaya, wo khazana hoon, main ek beeta hua zamaana hoon, mere dard pe roye duniya, main ek gumnam fasaana hoon.' Then the old world charm of the harmonium sets up the pace for the best (though old fashioned) track of 'Saawan ... The Love Season'. Sonu sings Sajid-Wajid's lovely composition beautifully. The lyrics (for which there are claims and counter claims between Jalees Sherwani and Saawan) stand out. Just to hammer the point, here is a sample from the 'antras' - 'Pehle dil ko banaya, pyaar usme basaya, phir muqaddar mein likh di judai, kaise shikwa karein, kya shikayat karein...'

While 'Tu Mila De' may not become too popular in the metros, it will become a rage in the interiors and smaller centres, and we already have indications of that based on the feedback (as always) that we are receiving!

Next, we have Kunal Ganjawala's love ballad 'Jo Maangi Khuda Se', a sugary and syrupy composition, which though average, thanks are due (from the maker) to Ganjawala, who manages to lift it with the sheer magic of his silken voice and rendition. The signature tune of the title track 'Saawan ...The Love Season' is present in between the 'mukhda' and 'antra'. The 'antra' is also inspired (maybe unintentional) by "Chaand Sitare" ('Kaho Na Pyar Hai').

Here's a piece of advice for you Ganjawala. You perhaps have the best voice amongst the newcomers of today (we are keeping James of 'Gangster' out for now), but please get out of the 'Bheege Hoth' ('Murder') hangover, as it is becoming monotonous .You are too good to stagnate in that alley!

Jaspinder Narula, more famous for her robust Punjabi pop/folk songs, gets to sing the female version of 'Jo Maangi Khuda Se' and she does it to perfection. It does not come as a surprise that she is talented, (though neglected of late).

Next, we have the talented Vasundhra Das crooning to 'Ready For Love', and sorry to say she is completely wasted in the Aadesh Srivastava version of the Boney M vintage classic 'Daddy Cool'. One feels that the composers of today think the public's memory is short, maybe for others but not for us Mr. Aadesh! Now, coming back to the merits (rather de-merits) of 'Ready For Love'. While the 'mukhda' has incorporated 'Daddy Cool' (shamelessly), the 'antara' copies Laura Branigan's (with Gloria Estefan) 'Self Control' (on the sly) and with Vasundhra reduced to screaming 'I'm ready', it gets too irritating and idiotic, so we are forced to skip to the next track.

Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan come together again after the pacy 'Punjabi Ankhowali' for the title track 'Saawan - The Love Season' is a very soft and melodious love song (musically and sung quite well). The song could have been much better had the lyricist Saawan Kumar not added the tagline - ,The Love Season, (and that too in English!), which makes the title track sound stupid at times. Otherwise, it can be classified as a good romantic track.

Typical Arabic music, the sort used by the gypsies (while dancing) sets the pace for the highly rhythmic dance/item number 'Mere Dil Ko Dhadkne Ko'. Though Shaan and Shreya have done a good job, the 'antra' is a complete ripoff from Rekha's '80s scorcher 'Pyar Do, Pyar Lo' from Feroz Khan's 'Jaanbaaz'.

All in all, it is a let down from the talented Aadesh Shrivastava, as almost all his compositions have been inspired/copied. Ironically, he himself has accused Anu Malik of doing it ('Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' old title track)!

The best track (as we have said above) is by Sajid-Wajid and as a result, 'Saawan ... The Love Season' will find limited appeal and the success of the album will depend on that of the movie. With Salman in an important role, one can never doubt that.

Rating: 6.5/10

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