MUSIC REVIEW OF NO SMOKING
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
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This year director Anurag Kashyap made path-breaking headlines in filmdom with his controversial real life drama 'Black Friday', based on gory 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. The director is back again with his another thought-provoking film 'No Smoking', starring John Abraham, Ayesha Takia in lead role while hot sensation Bipasha Basu makes guest appearance. The interesting facet of the film is that Ayesha Takia will be featuring in her first double role appearance. She plays John's nagging wife Anjali as well as his caring secretary Honey. The film is expected to be significant in her career. Due to its grim and shady concept, one can expect horrifying and impulsive musical scores that may be breed apart and might sound unconventional to ears. Vishal Bharadwaj makes his second major musical appearance for this album as composer after the tremendous success of 'Omkara'. Veteran lyricist Gulzar delivers some engrossing moments to rejoice in his peculiar wordings and stylized lyrical flows. 'No Smoking' has six indifferent sounding soundtracks that can be heard on Eros music cassettes and CD's.
Jab Bhi Cigarette (2 Versions): When there are peculiar wordings like "Jab Bhi Cigarette Jalti Hai, Main Jalta Hoon…" , there are moments of despair and desolation. Gulzar's prowess has the tinge to produce these bizarre perceptive emotions that may sound outlandish but finally connect with the spirit of the film. "Jab Bhi Cigarette (Jazz)" has Adnan Sami's singing expertise that coagulates amicably with booming saxophone notes and percussive elements in sluggish tempo. It's presumed to be a stylish club dancing song, depicting the flows of cigarette puffs from the players during poker or card game. After some peculiar sounding soundtracks in 'Johnny Gaddar', it comes in similar modes and measures that will add spice and flavor to the grueling situations of the film.
Sunidhi Chauhan sings the second version "Jab Bhi Cigarette (trance)" with her razor sharp vocal tinge that comes piercing with resounding musical arrangements. Vishal Bharadwaj prefers electronically profound "trance" musical moves to invigorate daunting impact in this racy number. It may not be as striking as the "jazz" version but has all ingredients of typical "club-trance" remix feel where echoing and pulsating beat structures rule the show. Both versions may sound peculiar but are well clubbed in their respective musical modes to convey the desired insensitive attitudes of chain-smokers.
Phoonk De (2 Versions) : Hot pairing of Bipasha Basu and John Abraham in sizzling attires makes breaking news with recently aired and promoted sensuous soundtrack "Phoonk De" and the buzz is still making big news. It has the flaring seductive tinge of "Namak" ('Omkara') where feminine nasal twang creates oomph with racy electronic sounds. Rekha Bharadwaj, wife of composer Vishal Bharadwaj, tries to flare up the passion of "Namak" in her vigorous vocal nasal twang. Earlier, Gulzar showed poetic revelation in depicting sensual wordings in typical rustic flavors and once again he steams up with similar passion in "Phoonk De (club mix)". Rekha's teamwork with the lyricist and composer showed bright colors in "Roone Do" ('Maqbool') and this number adds one more to their credit. It's likely to pick up aggressively among masses as the promos have delivered the saucy flavors of Bipasha seducing John in a dark and haunting disco backdrop. Rekha Bharadwaj's last prominent work "Ehi Motiya" ('Laaga Chunari Mein Daag') has already been receiving good response in the media and this track will certainly strengthen her position in the music world.
Sukhwinder Singh had momentous track "Omkara" ('Omkara') last year with Vishal Bharadwaj and the team works again with promising results in the original version of "Phoonk De". The keyboard notes deliver a zany rhythmical structure that adds amicably with Sukhwinder's spirited vocals to deliver a resounding pulsating number. This may not be as marketable as Rekha Bharadwaj's version but has the tenacity to encapsulate all the spine-chilling moments in its volatile harmonic display.
Kash Laga: "Kash Laga" brings the spirits of male-bonding in bizarre moods and has the expertise of three prominent musical entities but with average results. Vishal Bharadwaj gets behind the mike along with Daler Mehndi and Sukhwinder Singh to deliver the exhilarating feel of chain-smokers in a choral singing flair. The song has rather slow tempo where they sing their part with great ease but lyrics fail to grip the sumptuous feel. It ends up as an average situational number that might be instrumental in giving flow to the narration of the film.
Ash Tray: After experienced campaigners, Vishal Bharadwaj pitches new talent Deva Sen Gupta in peculiar sounding and thematically relevant soundtrack "Ash Tray". It's sad and melancholic treat where a chain smoker's sentiments come out in poignant musical flows. Deva Sen Gupta's voice has the tangibility to strike chords with the dark intense feel of the situation but the number is simply restricted to the demanding situation of the film. Gulzar's lyrics are again impressive in depicting the sorrowful thoughts of the protagonist in unconventional wordings.
Vishal Bharadwaj's compositions in 'No Smoking' work mechanically with the theme of the film and are unconventional in wording and musical arrangements. Soundtracks like "Phoon De" and "Jab Bhi Cigarette" promise flashy cinematic and melodic display. It can't be termed as a marketable commodity but certainly satisfies listeners with its peculiar sounding feel.