Jimmy

Article Updated 18 April, 2008 10:50:02 PM IST

Jimmy

Way back in 1976, a young man from West Bengal impressed everybody and won himself the coveted National Award for the best actor, for his debut film Mrigya. Yes, it was Mithun Chakraborty, but despite several creditable performances later, he became a real star with B. Subhash's Disco Dancer, which established him as a dancing star and a hero of the masses. The songs of Disco Dancer became a rage and catapulted the music director Bappi Lahiri into the top league. Now, his son Mimoh is all set to display his dancing as well as acting prowess through Jimmy. Director Raj N. Sippy who has directed his father Mithun in films like Boxer, Baazi and Zahreela, has been entrusted with the task of directing Mimoh too, even though Raj is mostly remembered for the classic Amitabh Bachchan starrer Satte Pe Satta. Coming to his latest, three music directors, three lyricists and a host of top rated artists have been brought together for the music album of Jimmy. Let us check out their offering and see if it will help young Mimoh establish his foothold in this world of Bollywood.

There are four songs composed by Anand Raj Anand, whose 'Uncha Lamba Kad' from Welcome is still ruling the people's hearts.

The first number is 'Aaya Hoon'. Lovely female crooning in the background and nice guitar strumming commence the number, which appears to be a soft romantic track in the beginning, due to the arrangements. However, later on the number turns out to be peppy, dance cum romantic number. The tune is has been heard before and the music style is a mix of contemporary and retro ('70s). Kunal Ganjawala's singing and the chorus, "Come on baby, you are the one for me," is the highlight of this otherwise average track.

The second number composed by Anand Raj Anand is 'Why Not Jimmy'. It is a nice, synthesized piece. Rap and hard rock guitars commence this fast-paced dance number. The lyrics, which appear to be a wish list of the main lead is cute at times and apt too. It has all the elements of a nice dance number; totally western arrangements like the use of drums, guitar, saxophone, etc., and of course Shaan's vocals are always treat. Although, one wishes that ARA could have been more innovative and gone for a fresher tune and melody.

Instead of going for a fresh tune, Anand Raj Anand revisits his favourite tune, 'Dil De Diya Hai' (Masti) for the next number, 'Jeevein Bulliyaan Pe'. The problem is that Anand has done this quite a few times. Here, even the antara is the same, as he rehashes his old tune completely. However, he does an excellent job as a singer. The background music arrangements create the sad, haunting atmosphere needed for the serious situation.

Kailash Kher's heartfelt rabba commences, 'Zamana Se Keh do'. It is a sad, situational track that will be picturised as a stage performance track. The song is high on emotional content; a tragic love song, which later gets converted into another fast-paced dance track. Yet, too much of the synthesizer, drums and plate sounds create a cacophonous environment. One wishes that ARA stuck to the basics and made Kailash do what he is best at - singing Sufi rock. The song at the start indeed was shaping up like that, so were the lyrics, but somehow the song changed tracks, maybe because Mimoh plays a dancing star in the film.

There are two numbers composed by Bappa Lahiri, son of Bappi Lahiri. Let us see if he has inherited his father's talent or not. The first number is 'Marhaba', a routine dance track. The rhythm is inspired by Anu Malik's number from Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, 'Aisa Pehli Baar'. It is a stage performance oriented number. Is it the same Debojit Saha winner of the talent hunt singing here? Maybe, but the singer is definitely not in his elements. He tries too many voice modulations and innovations but fails to lift this dull track. The lyrics too are crappy. Just imagine "Marhaba, Yeh rab mera rooth gay. Dil mera sheeshe sa toot gaya." Indeed funny, why use Arabic words just for the heck of it?

The second number by Bappa is 'Do Minute Mein' is better than the first. A nice, breezy youthful propositioning number, which sounds extra nice as a result of some lovely rendition by the prince of romantic numbers, Shaan. The lovely use of percussion instruments and electronic flute show that Bappa has the talent, he just needs some time and nurturing from his father.

The album ends on a sour note with Vijay Varma's only composition 'Yeh Hai Meri Dastaan'. The song itself is nice, but honestly speaking Vijay is a terrible singer. He goes overboard and tries too much. As a result, it sounds pathetic. Maybe if some accomplished singer would have sung the song the result would be different. However, even that would not have saved this below average track. Yes, at least the song would not have been a torture to the ears. The number is a tragic love song where the lead character, in a stage performance, is trying to convey to the world his tragic love story.

On the whole, the music of Jimmy is plain average. Even the talented Anand Raj Anand and singers of the caliber of Kailash Kher, Shaan and Kunal Ganjawala fail to do it any good. It is sad that the music belongs to the film, which is supposed to be the launching pad of the son of one of the most versatile actors of our times, Mithun Da. At least for his sake, the music directors could have put in that extra effort and zing to produce something special for his son.

Rating: 6/10

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