Don - The Chase Begins Again

Article Updated 03 September, 2006 02:59:48 AM IST

Don - The Chase Begins Again

When we first heard about Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' remake, like most, we became apprehensive. And when it was confirmed that two tracks 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' and 'Yeh Mera Dil' were to be retained, the apprehensions increased. The original 'Don' (featuring Amitabh) and its music by Kalyanji Anandji still makes its round on the satellite channels and so it becomes obvious that the enormity of the challenge for Farhan and Shankar Ehsaan Loy is gigantic. But going by their previous track record, musically ('Dil Chahta Hai' & 'Lakshya') we had an inkling that they won't go down without a fight (at worse).

While the movie is still about fifty days away, let us checkout whether or not SEL and Javed Akhtar have lived up to the Kalyanji Anandji and Indivar-Anjaan challenge from Chandra Barot's 'Don'. Here we go!

The by now famous 'Don' theme-cum-tune welcomes us to the title track 'Main Hoon Don' and soon Shaan takes over the well orchestrated, somewhat thrilling and mysterious song with utmost confidence and ease, mouthing Javed Akhtar's superb situational lyrics - "Duniya mein, Logon ne, Dil Apna, Phir thaamen, Aaya hoon, Lekar mein, Phir kitne, Hungame, Zaraa dekho kaun aa gaya hai, Zamaane pe phir cha gaya hai, Jameen kispe hain sab ki nigahen, Khuli kiski khatir hai baahen, Aisa dildaar aya hai kaun , Mujhko pehchaan lo ... Main hoon Don ."

The beauty of Shaan's singing is that he emits the raw, arrogant confidence and necessary attitude required by Shah Rukh Khan's "more stylish" 'Don'. We must add that it's a totally new track (both tune and lyrics wise) by SEL. The only similarity is the three words "Main Hoon Don". The composers definitely have a good thing going and have started on a winning note.'

Moving on to 'Main Hoon Don - Funcinternational Mix', the tune of the title track comes through at a somewhat faster pace, dominated by low decibel, heavy background bass guitar. Shaan's voice too is lower in volume and only those portions (of his singing) are retained where the emphasis is on the dangerous and daredevil 'Don'. A good version, which concludes like it commenced. The 'Main Hoon Don - Funcinternational Mix' is bound to dominate the dance floors and pubs in the weeks to come.

'Don - The Theme' commences with a "Knock, Knock" and then "Who is it?" and SRK replying, "Don!" The arrangements are bereft of too many instruments and it is more of a retro composition. But to the credit of SEL, they have managed to convey the elements of mystery and the unexpected quite effectively. The 'theme' is very apt with a slower 'Main Hoon Don' tune quite perceptible.

Let us now talk about the first 'retained from the original 'Don' number, 'Yeh Mera Dil'. Surprisingly, Sunidhi who normally excels in such numbers begins on a rather dull and flat note. But hold on, that is not the end of the story. Sunidhi pulls up her socks in the 'antras' to give the song, the necessary zing and fuel. But one just wonders why SEL did not go for Asha (who has redone many of her old RD songs). The two obvious reasons can be, to give it a unique-modern sound and also the fact that Sunidhi's youthful voice is much more suited to Kareena. On the whole, SEL have re-orchestrated the song to perfection.

Next, we move on to the hundred percent original SEL composition 'Aaj Ki Raat'. The situational dramatic number, features the leading lady, the male protagonist and the vamp (in the movie). Coming back to the song, it is a superb mindblasting and perhaps the 100-carat gem of 'Don'! The three talented singers Sonu, Alisha and Mahalaxmi are in rocking form as they take 'Aaj Ki Raat' to a different planet altogether with their team effort. Javed Akhtar's lyrics (let us do the formality and say the obvious) are as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel and fit the situation perfectly. At the same time it has his stamp of class - "Aaj ki raat, Hona hai kya, Paana hai kya, Khona hai kya, Do ghadi mein hi yahan, Jaane hoga kya, Jo hamesha tha mera, Phir mera hoga, Kaun kiske dil mein faisla hoga, Faisla hai yahi - Jeet hogi meri, Deewanon ko ab tak nahin hai ye pata."

The song, setting, orchestration and mood get us nostalgic and we are reminded of another gem of a number 'Raat Baqi' from 'Namak Halal'. Hats off to the whole team.

The second song from the original 'Don' is 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala'. It is the legendary cult song that set the nation, especially the North on fire when the film released. Udit Narayan has rendered the song (with couplets by Shah Rukh Khan). Udit takes to the song like a fish to water, as he is from Bihar and is well versed with 'Bhojpuri'/'purabia' lyrics. He also adds his own fine 'masti'/'dhamaal' nuances as per the requirement of the 'tension relieving' song. That now brings us to the topic of how much Sonu Nigam wanted to sing it, but ultimately Udit did the honours. Well, seeing the result, we know why SEL (intelligent composers as they are) went for Udit, leaving behind their favourite Sonu.

The starting of this 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' is totally different and goes - "Arre tumka ka bataae bhaiya, Humra haal ka hai, Nikle the hum halwa khaane, Muhn hi jal gaya hai." Just to recollect, the original (with lyrics by Anjaan) commenced with "Bhang ka rang jama ho chaka chak, Phir leyo paan chabaye, Aisa jhatka lage karejwa pe, Punar janam hoye jaye."

Adding a new twist is Shah Rukh Khan (accompanied by excellent 'ghatam' sounds) and like a thorough bred Hindi rapper (he outdoes his 'Josh' act!) he goes - "Ek naar naweli, Badi albeli, Kare athkkeli, Uski badi hai dhoom hai aisi manbhavan, Sab dekhen usko palat palat aur ghoom ghoom, Woh nagar nagar jaye dagar dagar.. Woh nain dwaar se tann me aake, Mann mein jwaala jagaati hai, Woh Chandramukhi hai, Woh Madhumati hai." The result is a new variation of the original classic, with few additional condiments!

Next, we are on to 'Don Revisited' by Midival Punditz. Since their Six Degrees Records debut in 2002, the Midival Punditz are the first Indian electronic band to hit the international scene. Given their reputation internationally, we expect something good and we are right. 'Don Revisited' commences on a crackling note and the pace is breathtaking. There is an abundance of 'Don', 'Don' (in the background) while the 'Main Hoon Don' tune is present throughout. What adds to the excellent arrangements are the two best dialogues (in SRK's voice), "Don ka intezar to gyarah mulkon ki police kar rahi, Lekin ek baat samajh lo, Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi, namumkin hai " (from the old 'Don') and "Don ke dushman ki sabse badi ghalti yeh hai ki woh Don ka dushman hai" (from the new 'Don'). A fantastic track that should serve as tutorial to the remixers and re-arrangers and specially the fast deteriorating Akbar 'Jalwa' Sami.

The 'Ganpati' songs have an illustrious history in Bollywood and dominated the '70s, '80s and mid '90s. However, of late we have not heard about many. So, when we heard that Farhan's 'Don' had one, we naturally got excited.

The 'Ganpati' festival transcends the boundary of religion, caste and creed in Western India and particularly Maharashtra; such is its popularity. 'Maurya Re' is a truly exceptional devotional composition. Shankar Mahadevan (as a singer) does a splendid job and this 'Ganpati' song (executed to perfection by Shah Rukh Khan on screen) is sure to touch the hearts of all the devotees.

Javed Akhtar deserves special accolades because till date we only knew him as a romantic, patriotic and a philosophical lyricist barring 'Pal Pal Hai Bhari' from 'Swades' and 'Madhuban Mein' from 'Lagaan' (both were UP based and Javed Akhtar too is from there). But his understanding of what 'Ganpati Bappa' stands for and means to the devotees, is commendable and for all to see. Sample the lyrics - "Har ghadi dhyaan rahe tera, Main hu chahne wala tera, Japta hoon teri maala toh maan le, Tu maan bhi le kehna mera ... Maurya re, Bappa Maurya re ... Ab main tujhse kya maangoon, tu mera, Main tera hoom toh maan le, Tu maan bhi le kehna mera." Keeping in mind the fact that festival was on recently, the occasion could not have been more apt.

On the whole, 'Don' scores over SRK-SEL's last album 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' (as it had only Karan Johar's previous works to stand up to) and the team deserves special marks, keeping in mind the huge legacy that it had to stand up to. The album is off to the best sales start of 2006. And the year had the likes of 'Rang De Basanti', 'Gangster', 'Fanaa', 'Krrish' and 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'! Whether it will be able to beat the overall sales of the above-mentioned titles is something to wait and watch!

Rating: 9/10

(* Original composition of 'Yeh Mera Dil' and 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala': Kalyanji Anandji. Original lyrics for 'Yeh Mera Dil': Indivar. Original lyrics for 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala': Anjaan)

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