Arr arr arr arr ...
One of the major perks of residing in Juhu, a suburb in Bombay, is living in the vicinity of celebrities galore.
There is no nuisance of stray dogs in my locality since they have been scared away by Dharmendra, who lives in the street adjoining mine.
’’Kutte ... mein tera khoon pee jaaoonga!’’
Esha Deol lives on my road itself. Everyday, when I pass by her bungalow, I spot her make-up laden visage, deeply engrossed in a book titled, ’101 Ways To Start Acting’.
My area is also witness to a number of shootings, both filmi and telly. The other day, I learnt that my neighbour had allowed the shooting of a T.V. serial in his house. Curiosity kills the cat, and it killed me as well (Meaow!). I couldn’t help paying him a visit to witness the shooting of ’Kyunki ... Ghar Ghar Mein Kabhiie Kabhiie Kasautii Aati Haiii’ (Spelling contributed by numerologist Bansilal Jumani!)
As soon as I entered the hall, my heart did a double take. Gurdeep Kohli aka Dr. Juhi of ’Sanjeevani’, the most ravishing actress on the tube (and better than the filmi dudettes, too, in my opinion) was sitting with her beautiful eyes closed, listening to her walkman. Beside her, Ketaki Dave aka Daksha Arararara Chachi of ’Kyunki ... Pata Nahin Kyun’ fame, was seated.
Me: ’’Er ... could I speak to Gurdeep, please?’’
Ketaki: ’’She is busy listening to music. Arr arr arr!’’
Me: ’’What’s there? In any case, there are no good music directors worth listening to, these days.’’
Ketaki: Wrong! Arr arr arr!’’
Me: ’’For God’s sake, this is the shooting of ’KGGMKKKAH’, not ’KSBKBT’ ... stop your idiotic araras!’’
Ketaki: ’’Donkey!’’
Me: (looking around) ’’Huh ... where?’’
Ketaki: ’’You are the donkey out here, I am not repeating my KSBKBT dialogue, I am just mentioning the name of one of the few music directors, who still dishes out good music. A.R.R., A.R.R., A.R.R., where A.R.R. stands for A. R. Rehman!’’
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Tehzeeb boasts of an interesting combo - Rishi Kapoor (without his fluorescent shirts!), Shabana Azmi (with her hair!), Urmila Muh Todkar ... er ... Matondkar (after being possessed by a bhootni in Bhoot and a classic Pinjar!), Arjun Rampal (with his eyesight!) and Diya Mirza ... to find out whether Diya ne finally acting kiya, we will have to wait for this flick to release, but for now, let’s savour the music!
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Khoyee Khoyee Aankhein is what the album kicks off with, and Shaan’s name on the inlay cover was reason enough for me to increase the volume to an objectionally high level, which caused my parents to start head-banging (in frustration!).
With a beginning reminiscent of the first 3-4 seconds of O Humdum Suniyo Re, this track is upbeat and groovy, with a Western-Arabian tune. Two major influences for this song include Den M’Agapas by Anna Vissi (similar Western-Arabian flavour) and the guitaring in Carlos Santana’s Smooth. Leaving aside the mild inspirations, this one is flawless!
Rating: 9/10.
Na Shiqwa Hota is sung by a singer who was hitherto unheard of. She comes, sings and conquers! Cheers to the best female singer since Sadhana Sargam! In a classical-like number, with an added English beat (only Rahman can manage something like that!), Sujata Bhattacharya ’s sublime voice captures your senses. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are stupendous.
The song is featured on Side B as well, in a miniscule 10-second version, which Vijaya does justice to, but then you cannot compare the 10-second hum to the classic sung by Sujata!
Rating: 10/10.
Meherban Meherban:
The only voice in the industry worth making love to is that of Asha Bhosle’s!