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Big B falls in love again after his 'Nishabd', and this time his love interest is mature and talented Tabu in 'Cheeni Kum'. It's a comical love story about sixty plus man (Amitabh Bachchan) falling in love with a woman (Tabu) much younger than he. Debutante director R.Balkrishan directs this hilarious funfare that has been shot in urban locations of United Kingdom. The film is labeled as "sarcastic love story" and is expected to hit theatres in the last week of May 2007. Renowned South Indian music director Illaiyaraja has composed the original soundtracks for the film. Sameer along with Manoj Tapadia has rendered lyrics for the album. 'Cheeni Kum' has seven original soundtracks that can be heard on Eros music cassettes and CD's.

CHEENI KUM : Illaiyaraja's musical presentation has largely been influenced by South Indian style of music but in "Cheeni Kum", he maintains the conventional harmonic textures of Bollywood music. The soft and tantalizing beats and quaking rhythms make subtle prelude to the hilarious mood of the girl who feels joyous in playing pranks to her better half. Shreya Ghoshal's shimmering and feminine vocals get into the act positively and collage well with its situational musical feel. This prankish title track song complains about the "sugar-less" attitude of the lover in showing romantic overtures towards his beloved. Sameer and Manoj Tapadia's lyrical work is expressive and works authentically with the hilarious theme of the film. This amusingly conceived number has the tenacity of building a comical tempo in the film but there's nothing extraordinary or chartbusting about it.

BAATEIN HAWA (2 Versions) : After 'Nishabd', Big B again shows his interest in singing as he delivers a couple of frothy fun-loving one-liners in romantically conceived melodious soundtrack "Baatein Hawa". Shreya Ghoshal's melodious voice melts honey to ears and proves itself to be one of her finest compositions of the year. She sings mellifluously in soft and subtle singing flair and shows vivid colors of romanticism in her modulating tones and overtones. This lovable number comes out in hilarious mood where Big B's chirpy and bubbly one-liners describe the rules of impressing and wooing girls. The one-liners encapsulate the overtly expressive nature of the lover as the song unravels imaginary journey of presenting flowers, visiting Royal Albert Hall, candle light dinner, gifting expensive jewelry to his beloved. The lively lyrics have hilarious feel that should prove a blessing in constructing comical chemistry between Tabu and Amitabh Bachchan in the film. Illaiyaraja's music is simply brilliant as it binds the romantic saxophone notes with enthused percussions in symbolizing different romantic phases in the song. The second version of "Baatein Hawa" comes as a solo romantic soundtrack from Shreya Ghoshal. This version minuses Big B's cheerful one-liners as it could be enjoyed as entertaining melody on a delightful romantic evening.

JAANE DO NA: Shreya Ghoshal maintains her brilliant form of being the leading voice of the album as she shines again in intrinsically romantic love track "Jaane Do Na". It bring backs memories of Shreya's romantic track 'Bairi Piya' ('Devdas') with Illaiyaraja's tinge of South Indian musical flavors. The jittering and tittering musical arrangements give a hilarious situational feel where the lover feels restless in emoting out his romantic feelings. Sameer's lyrics work well in giving the soundtrack the desired upthrust of a romantic feel and provide a gripping of conventional love chemistry. This may not be as bright or refreshing as "Baatein Hawa" but works effectively as a situational soundtrack.

SOONI SOONI : "Sooni Sooni" comes as a male version of "Cheeni Kum" in the vocals of Vijay Prakash in a different mood and lyrical work. This is a sad version where the lover feels isolated and dejected and reconciles his nostalgic moments in the backdrop of rhythmical patterns of "Cheeni Kum". Vijay Prakash' voice sounds similar to Yesudas' but fails to bind listeners. The song progresses as a contemporary tragic love with a strong feel of Tamil style of musical arrangements. "Sooni Sooni" may not be Illaiyaraja's finest works in Bollywood but does provide the needful and carries his stamp and style of music.

MELODY (SAXOPHONE) : Illaiyaraja, the veteran musical maestro has the experience and finesse of melting emotions into instrumental works as he provides a fine blend of saxophone tones in "Melody (Saxophone)". The brief instrumental work may not be contemporary westernized musical but carries the romantic feel emoting in fine sets of saxophone notes. It's an average offering and also a background score in the film where the viewers can anticipate chemistry between two lovers.

THEME MELODY : "Theme Melody" comes as another instrumental work that carries the signature tune of the film in subtle and titillating notes and rhythms. It's another soundtrack that should be considered as an effective background score as one can anticipate eventful happenings. This instrumental has soft and tender romantic feel in its sluggishly paced musical orchestration with the fine mixing of lovable signature tunes in jittering pace.

"Cheeni Kum" comes as modest and simple musical offering from South Indian music maestro Illaiyaraja after his forgetful musical presentation in RGV's 'Shiva'. This music album holds its promise in soundtracks like "Baatein Hawa" and "Cheeni Kum". The other numbers are situational soundtracks that should find their sound placing in the film. 'Cheeni Kum' promises to be a "multiplex" entertainer with modest and brief musical offering and it will be too much to expect anything spectacular from this sweet "n" tender album.