Yash Raj Films’ first major presentation of this year ’Fanaa - martyred in love’ is one of the major releases of the year and draws big expectation from movie buffs. ’Fanaa’ (meaning completely destroyed) is the film about heart- throbbing tale of a terrorist in love with a blind girl. After the success of ’Rang De Basanti’ it will be another thought- provoking entertainer of Aamir Khan. ’Fanaa’ will also be a comeback film for golden girl Kajol after four years of hibernation. Director Kunal Kohli has masterminded this socially relevant film that has been conceived on the traumatizing conflict between Kashmiri militants and Indian Army. Aamir Khan plays gray character by acting as a terrorist. Kajol plays blind girl who enters into the life of Aamir Khan’s beleaguered life and changes his life onwards. Tabu, Rishi Kapoor, Shiny Ahuja and Abhishek Bachchan are the supporting cast. During the last few years Yash Raj Films have been ruling the show and have promised another landmark success with ’Fanaa’. Their forthcoming attractions are ’Kabul Express’ and ’Dhoom-2’ (sequel to ’Dhoom’) with the acting prowess of stars like Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai. Ironically, director Kunal Kohli’s last two presentations -- ’Mujhse Dosti Karogi’ and ’Hum Tum -- were produced by Yash Raj Films. ’Hum Tum’ lundered success for the banner but the youth-oriented ’Mujhse Dosti Karogi’ proved a damp squib at the box-office. Eminent music director duo Jatin-Lalit has rendered seven original soundtracks for the film. This musical genius has already been a hot favorite with the Yash Raj banner with super hits like ’Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge’ and ’Hum Tum’. Prasoon Joshi who has penned lyrics for this year’s biggest hit ’Rang De Basanti’ has given lyrics in this film. The original soundtracks can be heard on Yash Raj Music.
The Jatin-Lalit music follows the AR Rehman style and with the feel of ’’Kehna Hi Kya’’ (’Bombay’) in the opening soundtrack ’’Chand Sifarish’’. The soft and penetrative voice of Shaan initiates this soundtrack followed by Kailash Kher’s rustic folk voice. It’s pity that the music director has plagiarized their own tune in composing the highlight track of big budget and the album. The tunes and beats of ’’Yaara Yaara’’ (’Hum Tum’) are rehashed in a whistling and titillating way with the heavy background rendition of ’’Subhan Allah’’ by Kailash Kher. It could have been a brilliant soundtrack if music composer were innovative in this number. The poetic lyrical work by Prasoon Joshi is class apart with words like ’’Chand Sifarish jo karta hamari deta woh tumko baata, sharamo haiya ke parde girake karni humko khata’’. The poetic and rhythmical lyrics stand apart with some effective ’’santoor’’ display and make it special but the music lacks innovation. Good but not outstanding by any standard as it was expected. However, it will be a major attraction for the film.
The titillating tunes and beats of ’’Yaara Yaara’’ (’Hum Tum’) are rehashed once again and this time it’s done in playful and lively soundtrack ’’Chanda Chamke’’. The surprise package of this number is the voices of Aamir Khan and Kajol singing nursery rhythms with kid singer Master Akshay Bhagwat. Babul Supriyo along with Mahalaxmi Iyer babbles out prankish tongue twisting song with flair. The prankish lyrics are entertaining and are designed for children. It will be a visual treat to view this song and will be first soundtrack for the child fraternity in Yash Raj Films in recent times.
Yesteryears’ musical magic is recreated in the Yash Raj style in the pristinely romantic soundtrack ’’Dekho Na’’. Jatin-Lalit has earlier composed ’’I’m in Love’’ in ’Neal n Nikki’ with similar feel but this time his music has additional flavor of Dev Anand’s 60’s music. Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan sing their heart out in this honey coated syrupy soundtrack that generates immense romanticism. Prasoon Joshi’s lyrics are feast for the ears once again with poetic magical verses. The slow moving chorus in the background and the Kashmiri folk music add more grace to this soft and sentimental soundtrack. If you are crazy of old time films like ’Guide’, ’C.I.D’ and other Dev Anand’s hits then this song will entertain you in a big way. Sonu Nigam tries to bring the magic of Mohammad Rafi in his modulating voice with brilliant support from Sunidhi Chauhan.
The passionate feel of patriotism for motherland comes in flying colors in the feminine touch in the soundtrack ’’Des Rangila’’. Mahalaxmi Iyer sings this number that reminds of ’’Aisa Des Hai Mera’’ (’Veer Zaara’). Mahalaxmi Iyer has been the main singer in ’Neal n Nikki’ and once again she has been shouldered with female solo track. It’s simply average number and is no match for ’’Aisa Des Hai Mera’’ (’Veer Zaara’) or ’’I Love My India’’ (Subhash Ghai’s ’Pardes’). Even the added tune of national anthem and traditional folk can’t make it special attraction for the album.
The romantic and tender ambience of ’’Dekho Na’’ is well described in titillating instrumental lounge music style in the soundtrack ’’Destroyed in Love (Lounge Mix)’’. A compatible and finely tuned lounge instrumental composition compiled by Dhrubajyoti Phukan is done with optimum display of santoor, flute and piano rhythms, tones and beats to entertain the listeners. The lyrics of ’’Dekho Na’’ are synchronized with westernized percussions and instrumental magic to create euphoric feel for the film.
The foot-thumping fever comes in a rollicking way and this time it comes in fast paced club mix style in the soundtrack ’’Fanaa for you (Chand Sifarish club mix)’’. For the first time the composer has given ’’yuppie’’ feel to the album with this number. DJ Aqueel remixes this high-pitched club number with the flashy vocals of Shaan and Kailash Kher. The soundtrack will make this album popular with pop genre that prefers to chill out at discos and parties.
The cool and calm feel of landscaped serenity and tranquility of the Kashmir valley and lush green vegetation is mesmerized in this thematically inclined poetic soundtrack ’’Mere Haath Mein’’. This number comes as welcome relief as the Jatin-Lalit music sounds different for the first time. It can be ranked as the finest soundtrack of the album with fine collection of poetic work by lyricist Prasoon Joshi. It is second soundtrack rendered by Kajol and Aamir Khan with Kajol narrating theme lines - ’’Tere Dil Mein Meri Saanson Ko Panaah Mil Jaayegi, Tere Ishq Mein Meri Jaan Fanaah Ho Jaye’’. The Jatin-Lalit rendered Sufi style music reminds of ’’Satrangi Re’’ (’Dil Se’) but the song impresses with loads of meaningful Urdu ’’shaayari’’ (poetic work) that epitomizes the crux and theme of the film. Even the long Urdu poetic work rendered by Aamir Khan in the track is performed with perfection. After ’’Lalkaar’’ (’Rang De Basanti’) this is another impressive singing by the ace actor and if choreographed with perfection it will be an eye feast for the audiences. The song expresses the brilliance of creative genius Prasoon Joshi with impressive musical work by the composers and singers.
Disappointment!!! A rare failure for Yash Raj Films music and it will be their weakest musical presentation in recent times. Music directors -- Jatin-Lalit have plagiarized the tune and beats of ’’Yaara Yaara’’ (’Hum Tum’) many times in the album and their music reflects the traits and flair of AR Rehman to a large extent. The word ’’innovation’’ is completely missing but the saving grace of the album is the brilliant lyrical work by Prasoon Joshi. The lyricist deserves a big applause for the magical poetic work. After ’Mangal Pandey’ this comes out as another musical failure for an Aamir Khan film and Yash Raj banner.