MUSIC REVIEW OF BHAGAM BHAG
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
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When you find the names of Priyadarshan and Paresh Rawal on the credits, it is predictable that it will be prankster's roller coaster ride. Priyadarshan, the master of comical entertainers with hits like 'Malaamal Weekly', 'Garam Masala' and 'Chup Chup Ke' comes out with his latest presentation of this year 'Bhagam Bhag'. This time comical trio comprises Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal and Govinda with Lara Dutta and Tanushree Dutta being their female leads. Govinda makes striking comeback in 'Bhagam Bhag' after series of disastrous flops and for the first time teams up with Priyadarshan. Unlike all other Priyadarshan's film, this film has the backdrop of foreign country and has been exclusively shot in the exotic locations of London. Pritam, the latest musical sensation, comes with a fine set of frothy musical numbers for stylish comedy after 'Apna Sapna Money Money'. The rib-tickling comical flavors of the film can be felt in hilarious lyrics and funky one-liners penned by Sameer. The music album of 'Bhagam Bhag' comes out with twelve original soundtracks that can be heard on T-Series.
TERE BIN: Caribbean calypso beats make merry in playful manner as Kunal Ganjawala comes with soulful ballad "Tere Bin" in full throttle fashion. Pritam's music is full of life as calypso music perfectly matches with efficient saxophone and trumpet notes. It has shades of "Mysterious Girl" by Peter Andrea for its rip-rocking "reggae" feel. Sunidhi Chauhan adds feminine touch with her svelte voice with loads of racy music and loud chorus in background. Pritam uses synchronized flute, saxophone and trumpet as background and the everlasting feel of "reggae" makes it hip-shaking rocking soundtrack. Kunal Ganjawala delivers another super hit number that will surly work wonders, both for album and film. The soundtrack is recreated into two more trendy versions -"Tere Bin (Reprise)" and "Tere Bin (Remix by DJ Amit)". "Tere Bin" has merits of being a chartbuster and comes out as worth listening soundtrack from Pritam this year.
"Tere Bin (Reprise)" starts off with soft and sentimental notes with traditional "reggae" feel as Kunal Ganjawala croons again with the same passion. It's rather sluggish in pace than the original soundtrack with Shreya Ghoshal joining Kunal in tandem. Shreya sings notes simpler and softer than Sunidhi's in this version where the background score sounds more melodious and enchanting. Pritam deserves accolades for delivering competent version in succession of delightful number as remix version is there to fire dancing floors.
The dancing passion triggers off for party lovers as "Tere Bin (Remix by DJ Amit)" comes with racy echoing impact and sounds rollicking to ears. Kunal Ganjawala and Sunidhi Chauhan's vocals are perfectly balanced with disco beat fillers and loads of funky music. All three versions of "Tere Bin" are worth listening and this makes Pritam competent music composer of pop genre.
ROCKING!!!
SIGNAL: The soundtrack "Signal" sounds like "theatre on run" where spontaneous and slapstick events of pranksters happen in tandem. The soundtrack has traditional "Goan" music feel as pop sensation Remo Fernandes sings out with full vocal thrust and enthusiasm. Suzanne's voice is sensuous additive to make this number spicier as racy music takes over it completely. Its delight to hear Remo Fernandes after ages and he delivers this "Pyar Ka Signal" with scintillating concert feel and frolicking zest. The number has been promoted aggressively in the promos of the film and it comes as another winner from the kitty of Pritam. "Signal" will definitely bring Remo to spotlight in Bollywood and if the film clicks then the number is expected to be a big rage among teenagers.
"Signal (Remix by DJ Amit)" starts off with feverish rendition of "Rock the Carnival" followed by DJ clapping and funky music ruling dance floors. It sounds better than the first remix where lyrics sound more audible and effective.
AA KHUSHI SE KHUD KHUSHI KAR LE: The girlish charm of "Spice Girls" and "Whigfield" (American pop artistes) is floored with loud roaring English chorus as Sunidhi Chauhan dons the attire of a rock star in "Aa Khushi Se Khud Khushi Kar Le". The soundtrack has snooty feel depicting the "attitude" of super sexy gals but the music is too harsh and loud. It has carnival touch where the festive spirit is maintained with racy vocals and hip-gyrating music taking full command. Pritam adds hip-hop and rap lyrics to give it a trendy outlook but Sunidhi sounds shrill at many places. It should work well in the slapstick comical entertainer as all earlier comedies have been spiced with similar soundtracks.
BHAGAM BHAG: Comedies have always been supplied with frolicking and quizzical title tracks and "Bhagam Bhag" is one more number in this cadre. This time it has a different voice of Neeraj Shridhar (lead vocalist of pop group "Bombay Vikings") singing all the different escapades and happening of the film in fast paced manner. The song is about eager anticipation and chase ("Bhagam Bhag") of lady love by a bunch of fun loving pranksters against all odds. It's above average soundtrack with Afro-American style hip-hop and squeaky vocals (similar to "Jai Money") in the background. The song will work better as background score or in the casting of the film. The soundtrack is overemphasized as it is recreated in two more versions - "Bhagam Bhag (Press Play Mix by Nikhil Chinappa and DJ Nawed)" and "Bhagam Bhag (Ragga Mix by DJ Phukan)".
Both remix versions sound more like a promotional vehicle for the film than anything special for dancing floors. "Bhagam Bhag (Ragga Mix)" is mix of lounge and club mix music that is conceived as a beach song than disco number. Pritam has overstressed on Calypso and Afro-American music than conventional hip-hop music and it shows in this remix version.
"Bhagam Bhag (Press Play Mix)" is racier and has contemporary disco feel and can be enjoyed on dancing floors. It can be worked upon as promising promotional song after "Signal" for the film for its trendy urban feel.
AFREEN: Middle East musical flavors are sprayed as traditional Arabic music; words and lyrics are used to pump adrenaline in this fast paced soundtrack "Afreen". KK and Sunidhi Chauhan sing this opera style number where Pritam changes the mood with different forms of music. It sounds more like cocktails of a different style of music where the performers change their attires on the stage. "Afreen" is more situational number that should work well on the screen than in album. KK sings to his fullest zest but this time he fails to match the superiority of "Tu Hi Meri Shab" ('Gangster') or "Kya Mujhe Pyar hai" ('Woh Lamhe'). Whether it's loud and roaring guitar strum or opera style Classical Western symphony, it has theatrical appeal that must materialize on screen.
"Afreen (Remix by EMU and Bunty)" is mandatory remix number added to make album more feasible to pop genre listeners. Hear it loud on dancing floors with other remixes as it has contemporary club mix feel.
CHAL UD CHALIYE (RUN RUN): Pritam experiments heavily this time as he shoulders the responsibility of this zingy and peppy number "Chal Ud Chaliye (Run Run)" on Jojo and Sohail Kaul. This situational song is the noisiest of all songs and is the least audible as it is heavily loaded with fast paced westernized musical instrumentation that overrules both the singers. In hot pursuit to create anything snazzy or peppy, Pritam makes mess of it with the over usage of loud and racy music and vocals. Simply Average!!!
The combination of Priyadarshan and Pritam has produced promising results once again in 'Bhagam Bhag' after the musical success of 'Garam Masala'. Though it has a mixed bag of soundtrack but overall the album has enticing feel that is sure to entertain urban audiences. The high profile face value, reliable comical quotient of Priyadarshan and upbeat outlook coupled with loads of funky music of the album will promise above average sales.
In nutshell, Pritam lives up to the standards of delivering funky youthful album, again and again.