Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru return to direction with their third film Sanam Teri Kasam which promises to be a romantic musical. Himesh Reshammiya, fresh from the success of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo soundtrack is on board here as the composer and with Sameer Anjaan as the primary lyricist, things are set up well for this film with listeners expecting a few hit tracks from this Jodi. With Himesh having a great track record in movies that require passionate, haunting and romantic music, good things are expected from the album.
Ankit Tiwari begins the album on a high note with his zealous rendition of the title track Sanam Teri Kasam. The guitar piece at the beginning lingers on long after the song is over and it actually sets up the song nicely. Sameer’s lyrics convey the pain and desperation of the two lovers here and Himesh’s composition is reminiscent of some of his biggest hits in the past. In fact, one can visualise Reshammiya himself singing this lovely track in his trademark high pitched vocals that would have added an extra zing to the track. But Ankit does a fine job indeed and his handling of the high notes is especially praiseworthy. Palak Mucchal has only one line in the song, but it adds a lot of weight in the overall scheme of things. This track requires a few hearings and once it grows, it never leaves your head.
Rating: 3.5/5
After the selfie songs of last year, we have a track in a similar terrain here titled Kheech Meri Photo with Darshan Raval, Neeti Mohan and Akasa Singh behind the mike. Himesh maintains a peppy, lively tempo throughout and the singers have fun which percolates down to the listeners as well. Though actually a drunk song, it never charters the tried and tested formula and that is what impresses. Neeti Mohan runs away with the honours through a bubbly rendition while Akasa Singh joins the chorus. With foot tapping music and an interesting title, this one has all the potential to lure the hippie generation.
Rating: 3/5
Himesh Reshammiya puts on the singer’s hat for the first time in the soundtrack with Bewajah, a heartbreak song. To begin with, the arrangements and the composition pattern appear very fresh and this is a kind of track that listeners will fall in love with right on the first hearing. The soft rockish feel augments the sweet melody and credit to Sameer for some wonderful lines. While naysayers would have their say, Himesh lends a touch that could not have been possible by other singers. His heartfelt vocals do the trick here and one is left searching for the repeat button. This is a reinvention of the composer and a kind of track that people would not have heard from him before. Delightful!
Rating: 4/5
As the soundtrack unfolds, it becomes clearer that this is a rejuvenated Himesh here and the next song Tera Chehra is yet another example of that. Arijit Singh gets to sing this number and one must say he fits the bill perfectly. It is a fabulous composition and the table beats that accompany the vocals lend a relaxing touch. With bare minimal orchestration, the composer lets his music do the talking and Arijit is a class apart with a stirring performance behind the mike. Shabbir Ahmed’s lyrics carry the required depth that such a beautiful melody needed and it is indeed a winner. It would be joyous to play this track on a long drive with a romantic partner.
Rating: 4/5
Indian Idol winner Sreeram Chandra goes solo with Haal-E-Dil, a supremely haunting track that reminds one of Himesh’s Humraaz days. Yet again, it is a composition right from the top drawers. Since the song never settles down at one place and keeps shifting gears, it is challenging for the singers and credit goes to Sreeram for his capable handling though it must be pointed out that he struggles a wee bit in the constant juggling between octaves. With such an intense feel to it, this song might induce goose bumps on screen.
Rating: 3.5/5
Neeti Mohan sings the female version of Haal-E-Dil which is more like an unplugged version with the same tune. While the male version bore a haunting feel, this one steps up the pedal on the haunting effect. The arrangements are much simpler here, but it is Neeti’s incredibly evocative vocals that steal the show. She handles the twists and turns with the finesse of a master thus taking this track a few notches higher. She is one of the most versatile talents of the current lot of singers. Listen to this track once and you will fall in love with it. Highly commendable job from the whole team!
Rating: 4/5
Himesh Reshammiya tries a fusion number with a quirkily titled Ek Number that is also written by him. While it begins in the hip-hop genre, by the time it progresses to the antaras, it settles down to a conventional bollywood song zone. Himesh sings with his usual gusto and Neeti Mohan gives him company with a westernized rendition. The lyrics do not make any sense whatsoever, but this is a kind of track that hardcore fans of Himesh would love and critics would loathe.
Rating:3/5
Arijit Singh returns for the second time in the album for Main Teri Yaadon Mein, a pathos number with a club setting to it. There is nothing challenging for the singer here, but he ensures that he conveys the right amount of grief with his vocals. Subrat Sinha’s lyrics are in the conventional path with nothing out of the box. Perhaps the same beat pattern in the whole song could have been avoided to make it more interesting. Yet this is a number that makes a good impression, mainly due to the singing.
Rating:3/5
There is a reprise version of the title track Sanam Teri Kasam in the end and this time it is Mohammad Irfan who replaces Ankit Tiwari. Right from the beginning, Irfan belts out the song in his own style never trying to emulate Ankit. While the original version had a more passionate feel, this one is mellower and one does feel that Irfan could have gone more aggressive on the higher notes. But with a few repeat hearings, one tends to like this version as much as the original itself. It is quite a different take on the same song singing wise and arrangements wise. Great way to end the album!
Rating:3.5/5
Like it was mentioned in the beginning, with Himesh Reshammiya one always expects a few super hits in each album and this is no aberration. On the quality front, majority of the tracks score high and the fact that most of the songs have such good melody will always help any film in the long run. This is the kind of haunting music that makes one sit up and take notice. A few tracks are already chartbusters and one hopes that the album finds more appreciation in the days to come. Try the songs, CLEAR WINNER!
Rating:3.5/5