You may be/ You're the one (Aladin: Vishal-Shekhar)

First words: Listen to it. Now we can start. A song that is probably the best song by Vishal-Shekhar, equivalent to Tu Ashiqui hai according to me, with Khuda Jaane somewhere close. But doubtlessly, Vishal and Shekhar bring to you one of their best songs ever, in their own voices. Yes, this is the first song Vishal and Shekhar have sung together with nobody else there. While the entire song is beautiful, the second part of the song is sung with absolute finesse and the way they pair up the voices towards the end is just wonderful. Here are the lyrics of the song, with some repetitions removed.

Lyrics:

You are the one you are the one
baby you are the one
you are the one you are the one
baby you are the one
You may be, just a little bit deewani
Thodi thodi si crazy
But baby you are the one
Tum Jaisi, hai na koi yun deewani
Thodi thodi si crazy
But baby you are the one
Ab aur kisse na chahta hoon aur kisse na chahunga
Tu jo taare maang le to woh bhi tod laaunga
Kehke to dekho na karta rahunga main pyaar

You may be just a little bit deewani
Thodi thodi si crazy
But baby you are the one

Haule haule hamse ye hawayein jaane kya keh rahi hai
Kehte kehte phir zara laja ke dekho chup reh rahi hai
Baat hai to wohi Dil mein thehre kahin
Sapno ko mere hain bas ik tera intzaar

You may be, just a little bit deewani
Thodi thodi si crazy
But baby you are the one

you are the one you are the one
baby you are the one
you are the one you are the one
baby you are the one

Khuley khuley teri aankhon mein hai mere armaan saare
Khile khile aise hai ke pheeke pheeke hain sab nazare
Hai naya ye jahaan ke hua la yahaan
Itna kabhi bhi kisi ko kisi se hai pyaar
You may be, just a little just a little bit deewani..
Thodi thodi si crazy Tuhi to meri baby

you are the one you are the one

Ab aur kisse na chahta hoon aur kisse na chahunga
Tu jo taare mang le to woh bhi tod laaunga
Kehke to dekhona karta rahunga main pyaar
Tum jaisi tum jaisi hai na koi yun deewani
Thodi thodi si crazy
But baby you are the one

you are the one you are the one
baby you are the one
you are the one you are the one
baby you are the one....

Music Review: Aladin (Vishal-Shekhar)

A R Rahman looks out of form and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are lost somewhere. Amit Trivedi is giving music for a song or two right now and Mithoon is out of scene. Himesh is not composing for movies that don't take him as hero and even Pritam is composing lesser nowadays, that is, not counting the likes of All The Best. So who is there to rely upon? Salim-Sulaiman.. and maybe Vishal-Shekhar.

Oh yes, the 'we-don't-want-to-give-just-hits' duo is there with Aladin. And look what they have brought. No, it's not another Mohit Chauhan song. They still don't need an Atif Aslam or a Neeraj Shridhar. Not even a Sonu and KK this time. They were asked to compose for a children's flick, and they have done EXACTLY that.

Aladin is an album that contains some freshness, and people like Amitabh Bachchan, Sudesh Bhosle, and Shankar Mahadevan behind the microphones. And when they had to come up with a love song, Vishal and Shekhar took the task in their hand and together they sang the song I've listened to at least 30 times in past 24 hours.

Genie Rap/Make a Wish: Amitabh Bachchan is certainly one person who moves with time. The album opens with a song that is sung by Amitabh Bachchan and Anushka Manchanda. Now that's a combination. Well, After rapping up with Abhishek for Bluffmaster, Vishal-Shekhar rap it up with the Big B and the result is certainly good. Catch it on TV if you haven't yet.

Tak Dhina Dhin: The song takes me right back to the days of Kishore Kumar when he used to sing happier-than-thou songs for Amitabh. The song is certainly a good one for a children's movie and must be liked in the movie. Shankar Mahadevan gets full marks for his singing while Shaan is OK.

O re Sawariya: If you thought there could not be a 'Rang Barse bheege chunarwali' again, you were right. But Vishal-Shekhar do their best to prove you wrong. Sudesh Bhosle, the voice of Amitabh in many songs joins Big B himself for the song and almost take you to that age. O re sawariya is a track full of Masti that you would like probably in the first listening. Check it out.

You may be: OK. First words: Listen to it. Now we can start. A friend on Twitter said it was the best song ever by Vishal-Shekhar. My say was that the song was equivalent to Tu Ashiqui hai and Khuda Jaane was also somewhere close. But doubtlessly, Vishal and Shekhar bring to you one of their best songs ever, in their own voices. Yes, this is the first song Vishal and Shekhar have sung together with nobody else there. While the entire song is beautiful, the second part of the song is sung with absolute finesse. My last words here about the song again are, 'Go, listen to it.'

Bachke O Bachke: A bit repetitive, but likeable. Another song that is something like Tak Dhina Dhin, or a mark below that. Should go well with the movie. But one thing is sure, Vishal-Shekhar are making better songs for Shankar Mahadevan than Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy right now.

Giri giri: One song that is below the mark. The song is sung by Sanjay Dutt and is not very good. In fact on audio alone, the song is barely passable. I hope the song has some interesting sequence attached to it so that it is worth watching in the movie.

The album has two remixes, the genie rap and O re Sawariya. Both the remixes are OK. In fact the original Genie Rap is quite like some remix of an old song and remixed, it doesn't sound much new. O re sawariya, though, had scope for remix which is used fine.

Overall, Aladin is an album that targets its audience, something that is not much seen nowadays. The thing becomes even more difficult when the target audience of the movie happen to be children. And Vishal-Shekhar have performed their task quite efficiently. Other than that, there is one song, you may be, that is better than any song released in the past some time. So I would rate the album as a good. A 4 on 5. Especially for being good where it needed to be.

My picks: You May Be, Genie Rap, Tak Dhina Dhin.

Ten reasons NOT to watch What's Your Rashee (IF u need)

1. Do not watch the movie if u listen to ur elders. All critics said NO.
2. Don't watch it if u r a true Gandhian and do not want to see bad, hear bad and speak bad too. Once u watch the movie, all three are bound to happen. U'll see and hear bad, and ultimately speak bad about the movie.
3. Because your family needs that money more than Gowariker. He has earned a lot from his good ones.
4. Because your friends always want a treat. At least wasting money on treat will make u good for sometime.
5. Do NOT watch the movie if you're a Hritik fan and cannot see anybody copying him badly.
6. Because it's the Docomo age. Every second is worth something. 3 hrs and 17 minutes certainly are.
7. If you are a die hard Ashutosh Gowariker fan. And want to stay that way.
8. Because there is still hope. Hope that Wake Up Sid, coming next week, will be better than this. Amen.
9. Because we do not want Ashutosh to think that he again made a blockbuster and fight everyone. Every ticket contributes towards making a film blockbuster.
10. So that you remain sane and healthy, and your family happy.

I hope this post doesn't reach Ashutosh Gowariker. Don't want the big man's fury.

Ten reasons to watch What's Your Rashee

If you are thinking of watching the big movie, (ya it's big. three hours and 17 minutes, with 13 songs in there) and are still not able to find your reasons, try finding some here.

1. Watch it if you do not remember what the twelve Rashees are. This will be easier than reading Linda Goodman.
2. Watch it if you want to see 12 completely different hair styles on the same girl and save money from 11 other movies.
3. Watch it if you were planning to do a research on Gujjus of Mumbai.
4. Watch it if you still think Ashutosh Gowariker cannot make a bad movie and all critics are idiots. U must be punished then.
5. Watch it to sleep without pills. Right before the movie starts is the best time. Anytime, though, is good enough.
5. Watch it if your girlfriend is bugging you for a movie. You can have some time out of theatres after this.
6. Watch it for the 12 times Priyanka comes on screen to show the name of the next zodiac.
7. Watch it if you're a Hritik fan so bad that you can watch even his duplicate playing the hero.
8. Watch it for "Hamari koi Shakha nahi hai."
9. Watch it if you're still thinking of watching the movie.
10. Watch it because... if... for... Can't get more. Exhausted.

The Failed Challenge: What's Your Rashee

Ashutosh Gowariker has been a man of challenges. The big guy who made a movie on Cricket in India and still made it work has been on a mission challenge ever since his first biggie Lagaan as a director. And Challenge after challenge he even proved himself. But finally, finally, here comes something that fails. At least fails to reach the standards Ashutosh Gowariker has set for himself.

His first movie as a director, Lagaan was a hit. A huge one. Which was a big deal considering movies on Cricket hardly work, be it a recent Hadippa, Stumped, Victory or Hat Trick. But since Aamir Khan's presence didn't let Ashutosh take all the credit and Aamir got more that equitable share.

Then Ashutosh went for another challenge, that of making with both Shahrukh Khan and a good story, something that rarely happens and probably has been done by only Shimit Amin better than Gowariker, with Chak De India.

Winner of the challenge, Ashutosh put himself to an even bigger challenge. Of making a period film. If I had doubted the success of Swades, I was sure of Jodhaa Akbar's flop fate. But Ashutosh proved me wrong when he dragged Indians into cinema halls for a three-hour-plus movie on Akbar and Jodha Bai.

And then, he announced a comedy.

The guy who could not bear with Sajid Khan on an award show stage, had decided to make a comedy. The guy who was so serious with his movies that he could not keep himself shut and blurted out how some other actress could win an award against his movie's actress, was going to make a comedy. I had to declare another flop, irrespective of the number of challenges Ashutosh had won for himself. And he did it. He finally lost a challenge. Even from the most optimistic angle, What's your raashee is not a movie that matches the standard of Ashutosh's last three movies.

Although, in parts I like the movie and Priyanka Chopra has been simply fabulous in many roles, say most roles, there is not much in the movie other than that. Harman Baweja could have lived a much better life had he entered the film industry 7-8 years before he did. I see Hritik Roshan in almost every action of Harman. Just like Sehwag.

Also, Darshan Zariwala is great. Anjan Srivastava doesn't get much to do in the movie, and Gujju acts of the movie are well-performed. Music is mostly okay to good and goes divine in Bikhri-Bikhri si zulfein hain kyun. Well done Sohail Sen for that.

Now, we hope that the big guy with an academy nomination learns something from this experience too and gets us something new and good again. So What's Your Next Challenge, Mr Gowariker?

Some More Female Voices, Please!

It's a male dominated world. And since the film Industry is a part of this very world, the industry is, fortunately or unfortunately, male dominated too. And recently, I have noticed a newly developing aspect of the fact. We have less and less female singers behind the microphones now.

Did you notice neither Tum Mile nor London Dreams has a single female singer in their credits. The concern goes worse when one says both the movies are musicals, Tum Mile, with Pritam trying to give his best compositions/collections, and London Dreams, based on singers' lives itself. Still, there is not a single song in either of the movies where you get to hear a female voice.

While in Indian film industry the fairer sex rarely gets a fair share in anything, getting no share at all in a field like singing is new and strange. Previously we have seen many examples of movies with female voices appearing in just one or two songs. Also, there have been movies based on certain subjects where we have less songs or songs based on certain characters, be it Dosti of Laxmikant Pyarelal, or Taare Zameen Par.

Going by music composers, A R Rahman, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Vishal-Shekhar, Salim-Sulaiman and Pritam can be considered as major music composers. While A R Rahman quite regularly gives some songs to Madhushree for a long time now, Shreya Ghoshal is a main league singer who has found place in Rahman's choices.

Vishal and Shekhar also seem to have a few songs for Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal in their albums. In fact they have admitted that at times, they compose certain songs with these singers in mind. Salim Sulaiman don't use the voices of Sunidhi and Shreya regularly but they seem to experiment with newer or lesser known voices like Shruti Pathak, Neha Bhasin and Hema Sardesai.

Pritam is generally found using a voice or two for his dance numbers while he relies more on band singers like Neeraj Shridhar, Mohit Chauhan and even Atif if available. Last time when he tried to put all these singers in duets, in Kismat Konnection, the results were not very good and probably that's the reason he is coming up with less and less female voices, finally to give an all-male Tum Mile.

As far as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are concerned, they tend to take lesser known or no female voices for their albums. While their London Dreams has no female voices, Wake Up Sid's only song with a female voice is the one composed by Amit Trivedi. Their Heyy Babyy had just one song sung by Shreya and Taare Zameen Par had no female singers except in backgrounds.

So, what is the reason we have lesser and lesser female singers now? Are various reality shows any measure? Because almost all of them seem to have a male winner except a few Saurabhis and Sanchitas. well, I do not think that it's men who sing all the good songs. And variety is something we will anyways, always need. I hope we not only have more singers like Mohit Chauhan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan but also like Sunidhi, Shilpa, Anushka and Sona. Are the composers (all males) listening?

Jashn hai Jeet ka (London Dreams: Abhijeet Ghoshal)

Jashn hai jeet ka is a song I've fallen in love with. First thing, I love the lyrics of the song. It reminds me of Shakespearean classics, especially Julius Caesar as the singer claims himself to be the King of the world saying aasma mera ab aasma mera. He even says that he doesn't believe his old friends (Et tu, brute) while he renders majhi pe mujhko nahi ab thoda sa bhi aitbaar, and celebrates his victory like anything. Also, the song has some fierce music and Abhijeet Ghoshal has sung the song in its spirit. Here are the lyrics penned by Prasoon Joshi.

Lyrics:

Sun le khuda gaur se zara
aasma mera ab aasma mera

(neend tod ke khwaab ud gaye
aasma mera ab aasma mera
badal bheench ke honth tar kiya
aasma mera ab aasma mera
main to akele chal diya haathon mein le ke patwar
majhi pe mujhko nahi, ab thoda sa bhi aitbaar
jashn hai jeet ka jeet ka jeet ka
jashn hai jeet ka jeet ka jeet ka)-2

chhale kai talwon mein chubhe kahin bhale kai
jalti hui kahin thi zameen
taale kai dard ya ki sambhale kai
hauslon mein rahi thi kami
hum abhi ad gaye
aandhiyon se lad gaye
maine dhakel ke unhe chheen ke le li roshni
mere hisse ke ve savere, mere hisse ki zindagi
jashn hai jeet ka jeet ka jeet ka
jashn hai jeet ka jeet ka jeet ka..

Yaari Bina Hai Besuri (London Dreams: Roop Kumar Rathod, Milind)

Yaari Bina is probably the best song of London Dreams. Roop Kumar Rathod and Milind make a hit right from the start of the song when they render Duniya bhaad mein jaaye. The song is slow, fast, medium, classical, Punjabi style, and so much more. In fact Roop Kumar Rathod reminds me of Machis in the song. I would say that the song is a complete classic and should last even after the other songs of the movie are forgotten. Whatever the future of the song is, Roop Kumar Rathod, Milind, Composers Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, and Prasoon Joshi definitely deserve an applause for the song. Here are the lyrics of the song.

Lyrics:

Yeh duniya Jab leke Tarazu
Tera tol ke bhav bataye

Yaar kahe Aa seene se lag ja
Duniya Bhad mein Jaaye

---

Do kahan hain, Ek hi hai
Yaari mein do hote hi nahi
Usko kaato Dard isko
Yaari mein do hote hi nahi
O Kache gud si yaari, Yaari
O meethe paan se pyaari

To aaja jash mana le, yaara ve
Yaar ko laga le
Dil ke andhero ko woh tatole
Man ko bilo de, Matka le khole

Yaara Yari bina hai besuri meri zindagi
Yaara Yari bina hai besuri hai besuri
besuri zindagi

Yari bina hai besuri hai besuri
besuri zindagi

(aalap)

Yaara Yari bina hai besuri hai besuri
besuri zindagi
Yari bina hai besuri hai besuri
besuri zindagi

Meri Hichkiyon mein hai woh shamil
Mere Khawabon mein
Meri mausamo mein titliyon ko chhode woh

O Mere aasunon ko Motiyon si shan bakhshe woh
Meri bansuri mein aake saaasein jode woh

O Kache gud si yaari Yaari
O meethe paan se pyaari

To aaja jash mana le yaara ve
Yaar botle laga le
Dil ke andhero ko woh tatole
Man ko bilo de Matka le khole

Yaara Yari bina hai besuri meri zindagi
Yaara Yari bina hai besuri hai besuri
besuri zindagi

Yari bina hai besuri hai besuri
besuri zindagi..

Music Review: London Dreams (Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy)

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have always been my favorites. But they disappointed me badly with Wake Up Sid when I found that the only song I liked in the album was composed by Amit Trivedi, coming in as guest composer. But with London Dreams, they are back. At least from the level they had gone to with Wake Up Sid.

The most troubling part of the album, though, is that after Tum Mile, even London Dreams doesn't have a female voice in the eight songs. Pritam could do this, but Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy going for only male voices may be a cause of concern. Here is the song by song review.

Barso Yaaron: The album starts with Barso Yaaron that is sung by Vishal Dadlani and Roop Kumar Rathod. Well, No doubt the combination is a strange one, and the fact that Roop Kumar Rathod's voice is shown as part of a Rock Concert is even more interesting. But then, Rathod is one person who does everything to perfection and he is great here too. A good song, where you get to hear the fastest-ever Hanuman Chalisa too. Something that reminds you the composer was the guy behind (and in front of) Breathless.

Man ko Ati Bhavey: The second song of the album, Man ko ati bhavey saiyyan is an interesting one again. The song, sung by Shankar Manadevan, is majorly in rich Hindi words and is supported by eunuch like voices. The song has some interesting lyrics by Prasoon Joshi which are almost perfectly in Hindi except certain places like 'Utsav manata hai saara chaman' where he doesn't get a Hindi word and is tempted to use an Urdu one. In short, lyrics, Shankar, and supporting voices make the fast paced song interesting.

Tapkey Masti: The third song of the album is Tapkey Masti sung by newcomer Feroz Khan. The song is high pitched and has a slight Punjabi flavor that reminds me of 'Mast Kalandar' of Heyy Babyy. Still, the song sounds ok and the new guy Feroz Khan passes the test.

Khanabadosh: The fourth song of the album, Khanabadosh, that can be counted as the title song too, is an okay one. The song has some good lyrics and the music is catchy sort, but one cannot expect the song to long last. The song has many supporting singers, the cover credits only one, Mohan.

Khwaab Jo: The fifth song finally gives one some break and one gets to hear a singing-and-not-running Shankar, along with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The song has some fine music and wonderful lyrics with two genius guys singing together and they make up for everything that is missing in the song. Listen to Rahat and Shankar singing together and no big deal if you get stuck here only.

Yaari Bina: If there's one song in the album I would recommend with Khwaab jo, probably better than Khwaab jo, it's here. Roop Kumar Rathod and Milind make a hit right from the start of the song when they render Duniya bhaad mein jaaye. The song is slow, fast, medium, classical, Punjabi style, and so much more. Oh, Roop Kumar Rathod reminds me of Machis this time. A complete classic. Go for it.

Jashn hai Jeet Ka: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy bring in another lesser known guy for a beautiful song. Not a huge hit, but the song is definitely one I'd recommend if you're a sucker for a bit deep songs. First thing, I love the lyrics of the song. It reminds me of Shakespearean classics as the singer claims himself to be the King of the world, says he doesn't believe his old friends, and is celebrating his victory. Well done Mr Joshi.

Shola Shola: Eighth song of the album starts with a well known voice of Zubeen Garg, the Ya Ali guy in case you don't remember. The song is an anybody-can-make-it type just fine composition that is good for running in the background. Zubeen has sung the song in his typical way and there is hardly anything new about that. Still, the song has potential of running in a relay race and if other songs go fine, the song won't disappoint and will go with the other songs.

Overall, London Dreams is an average album but Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have shown their work in some places like Khwaab jo and Yaari Bina. The album has some masti type songs too and has its share of rock also.

I'd suggest listening to Khwaab Jo, Yaari Bina, Barson Yaaron. If you're one for masti, add Man ko ati bhaave, and if you want deeper things, add Jashn hai jeet ka to your list. Find your picks and album will be good for you.

Dil Ibadat (lyrics)

Ok. I cannot not write the lyrics of this beautiful song. Pritam and KK, superb work. And lyricists, Sayeed Quadri and Kumaar. Good job.

Lyrics:

Dil Ibadat Kar Raha Hai
Dhadkane Meri Sun,
Tujhko Main Kar Loon Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun.
Zindgi Ki Shakh Se Loon Kuchh Hasin Pal main Chun
Tujhko Main Kar Loo Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun

Dil Ibadat Kar Raha Hai
Dhadkane Meri Sun
Tujhko Main Kar Loon Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun
Zindgi Ki Shakh Se Loon Kuchh Hasin Pal main Chun
Tujhko Main Kar Loo Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun

Jo Bhi Jitne Pal Jiyoon
Unhe Tere Sang Jiyoon
Jo Bhi Kal Ho Ab Mera Use Tere Sang Jiyoon
Jo Bhi Saanse Main Bharoon Unhe Tere Sang Bharoon
Chahe Jo Ho Raasta Use Tere Sang Chaloon

Dil Ibadat Kar Raha Hai
Dhadkane Meri Sun
Tujhko Main Kar Loon Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun

Mujhko De Tu Mit Jaane
Ab Khudse Dil Mil Jaane
Kyun Hai Yeh Itna Fasla..
Lamhe Ye Phir Naa Aane
Inko Tu Naa de Jaane
Tu Mujh Pe Khudko De Luta.....
Tujhe Tujhse Tod Loon Kahin Khudse Jod Loon
Mere Jism O Jaan Mein Aa Teri Khushboo Odh Loon

Jo Bhi Saanse Main Bharoon Unhe Tere Sang Bharoon
Chahe Jo Ho Raasta Use Tere Sang Chaloon

Dil Ibadat Kar Raha Hai
Dhadkane Meri Sun
Tujhko Main Kar Loon Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun

Bahon Main De Bas Jaane
Seene Main De Chhup Jaane
Tujh Bin Main Jaaun to Kahaan
Tujhse Hain Mujhe Ko Paane Yaado Ke Wo Nazrane
Ek Jinpe Haq Ho Bas Mera

Teri Yaado Main Rahoon
Tere Khwabo Main Jagoon
Mujhe Doondhe Jab Koi
Teri Aankho Main Miloon

Jo Bhi Saanse Main Bharoon
Unhe Tere Sang Bharoon
Chahe Jo ho Raasta Use Tere Sang Chaloon

Dil Ibadat Kar Raha Hai
Dhadkane Meri Sun
Tujhko Main Kar Loon Hasil Lagi Hai Yahi Dhun...

Music Review: Tum Mile (Pritam)

Tracks: 9
Songs: 5
Versions: 8
Instrumentals: 1
Composer: Pritam
Singers: Javed Ali, KK, Mohit Chauhan, Neeraj Shridhar, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan
Best ones: Dil Ibadat, Tu hi Haqeeqat, Tum Mile Love Reprise
Verdict: Good

Tum Mile: One song. Three versions. Probably Pritam could not decide how will the song look best and put three versions of the song in the album. The album opens with this song in Neeraj Shridhar's voice. With Neeraj the song sounds like a typcial song of his and becomes a foot-tapping number that will rule the charts for a few months and then forgot.

But then, the same song is given to Javed Ali and you get 'Love Reprise'. This time, the song almost completely changes even though you know it's the same. This version is lighter, definitely better and relatively long lasting.

And then you have Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan singing a rock version for the song. For once you may not find much in this version after listening to the first two. But separated from the other two, the rock version also scores. My pick, though, is Javed Ali's Love Reprise version.

Dil Ibadat: A lovable track sung by KK. The song also has a Rock Version that is again sung by him. The compostion is good and lyrics, though usual, at some points are superb. Overall the song is a good one, of must listen category. Go for it, select which version you like better. Normal one for me.

Is Jahan mein: Mohit Chauhan is not made for 'fast' songs. Not that he can't sing them well or something, but he's so good with slow-soft-romantic numbers (and even not so romantic ones, remember Khoon Chala) that giving him a fast one is not generally a very good use of the depth in his voice. Iss Jahan mein has something like that only. Is jahan mein is a good song but if you start listening after seeing Mohit Chauhan's name, you may be disappointed. Okay song.

Tu Hi Haqeeqat: Khwaab tu, dariya tu hi, pyaas tu, tu hi dil ki beqarari, tu sukoon, tu sukoon... With good lyrics like these and slow, beautiful music, the USP of tu hi haqeeqat is Javed Ali. Javed Ali has sung the song in such a soulful voice that makes it worth listening. Tu Humsafar, Tu humkadam, Tu humnava mera.. Listen to this one just for Javed Ali.

O Meri Jaan: Yet another song by KK. This one is a sad number, though not a typical sad song we're familiar with, but a rock kind of song that one is expected to like in a long time, and then, the song stays. A good song, but only for those who have the patience as you will probably not like the song instantly. Try it anyway.

Overall, tum mile is a good album and in times when A R Rahman's Blue has not been able to deliver much, Pritam gives some songs somewhat beyond expectation. Credit to Pritam, but more credit to KK and Javed Ali.

Fiqrana (Blue: Vijay Prakash, Shreya Ghoshal)

Vijay Prakash is a name that is taken with respect now, and everytime A R Rahman gets a song for this guy, we get a superb number, whatever type it is. Be it yuvvraaj's Manmohini, or Slumdog's Jai Ho, or Swades's pal pal hai bhari, he does a good job for every song. And this time Vijay Prakash is in a different mode. Fiqrana is a song full of 'Josh', just the way RDB's Pathshala rebel was, or Dhakka-laga-buka/jana-gana-mana of yuva.

And he does it again. Listen to the song. It's one of the few really good numbers of Blue.

Lyrics:

Fiqrana ho ke ham jiye
Khamakhaa ham jiye na kyun
Beparwaah ho ke ham jiye
Khamakhaa ham jiye naa kyun

Jeete hain ad-ad-ad ke ham
Phirte hain fur-fur-fur se ham
Milte hain rom-rom-rom se ham
Chalte hain dam-dam-dam se ham

Mahakte gulzaaro mein ham
Chamakte sitaaron mein ham
Dahakte angaaron mein ham
Lahakte hawaaon mein ham
Ye Fiqrana-4

Hai qatil apni rangat
Hai shatir apni sangat
Thode se ham hain diwaane
Yahi hai apni daulat
main poori kar loon hasrat
main man ki saari mannat
Mujhe koi rok nahin, tok nahin
Main man maana hoon
Junoon, sukoon, main sharara
main maza saza mein mara
naye khawaab hain, main hoon ishq ka maara

Hone de ye mulaaqaatein
thode din thodi si raatein
sochenge phir ye ham
chahenge ya na chahenge ham


Hai qatil apni rangat
Hai shatir apni sangat
Thode se ham hain diwaane
Yahi hai apni daulat
To kar lein sab se khilaafat
Tu ban ja meri mohabbat
Jahaan se lad jaaoonga, mar jaaoonga, main mastaana

shuru karoon ishq badhana
Tu jo kahe wo lage rab ko paana
Chal chalein wo chalein apna hai zamana

Honge sang hamaare
aasmaan ke ye taare
milenge tab tum ham
haan kar denge, na na karenge ham...

Yaar mila tha saiyyan (Blue: Udit Narayan, Madhushree)

So the long-awaited music of Blue is out and though we can see Kylie Minogue singing and dancing, Farhan Akhtar hasn't sung for the album and the music of Rahman is not as good as I had expected to say the least.

Still, there are some good things in the album, one of them a beautiful, romantic and a quite dramatic song by Udit Narayan, Madhushree, and Ujjayinee Roy, Yaar Mila tha Saiyyan. A R Rahman hasn't used Udit a lot, but whenever he does it, the result is good. The song has a village background and you can hear a Lagaan in the song until you see the video. Madhushree is good as always and the song is worth listening to.

Lyrics:

yaar mila tha saiyyan
ik din yaar mila tha saiyyan
aankhon mein sapne, dil mein leke
pyaar mila tha saiyyan
kya main karti saiyyan baiyyan
kya main karti saiyyan
teri yaad mein kitni sadiyaan aah bharti saiyyan

are kuch to sharam kar leti ab kya kahegi duniya
tu uske sang ho lee us peepal ki chhaiyyan

socha nikal loon, par pallu, wo kheencha zor se,
bola sandesa, wo laya, hai teri or se

haye dil ghayal, zakhmi jiya,
kaise jiye ab tera piya,
maar diya dulhaniya tune maar diya dulhaniya
jeete jee apne saiyyan ko maar diya dulhaniya

yaar mila tha saiyyan
ik din yaar mila tha saiyyan

hai kusoor kya mera bata na yoon sata main-
teri raah takti thi

raah takti thi to khafa
ho gayi thi tu ya bewafa
ki panghat pe, ghoonghat ke bina
ja baithi kaise tu, wo bhi mere bina
usi panghat pe jahan jhat se
pehli baar thaami thi maine teri kalayee
harjaayee
jahan dhoop se hum bache the jahan nache the
apne kadam
aur besharam
wo kalaai tu thama ke aayi hathon mein na jaane

kis khote ke, kis pote ke,
mere hote se, par sote se,

par tune hi to use bheja na
ki mera pyaar piya ko de ja na

yaar bulaya saiyyan maine yaar bulaya saiyyan
bhooli saari duniya jab ek baar bulaya saiyyan

to aa gale dulhaniya lag ja aa gale dulhaniya
dekh ke apni yaari duniya laakh jale dulhaniya

yaar bulaya saiyyan--lag ja aa gale dulhaniya
bhooli saari duniya--duniya laakh jale dulhaniya

are teri wafa ke kisse ab ga rahi hai duniya
har maa kahe bete se, la aisi dulhaniya
haaye dil ghayal, zakhmi jiya
jiye bas jiye ab, mera piya..

Farhan didn't sing for Rahman?

Finally the much awaited music of Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Zayed Khan starrer Blue is set to release. The movie came into limelight when A R Rahman decided to make Farhan sing for the movie. Then there was news that Farhan had a sore throat and that made Rahman wait. And now the music is going to release in the second week of September but it's not clear if Farhan is going to sing for the movie.

If we listen to Wikipedia (as on today, September 4th, 2009), Farhan is going to sing the song Bhoola Tujhe along with Rashid Ali. But then, the official site of A R Rahman says something else. The site doesn't mention Farhan's name in singers and says that the song will be sung by Rashid Ali alone.

So most probably Farhan Akhtar is not singing for A R Rahman and we'll have to miss the opportunity to listen to the Farhan Akhtar's voice once again, that too in an A R Rahman composition.

The soundtrack of Blue will have seven tracks for which Rahman has roped in Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh, Rashid Ali, Neeraj Shridhar, Vijay Prakash, Udit Narayan, Madhushree and Suzanne D'Mello. Besides, Rahman's blue theme reportedly has six more singers including Blaaze.

Apparently, the song that Farhan Akhtar has missed is going to be a good number as the song not only has Rashid Ali singing but also has backing vocals from singers as good as Benny Dayal. The opening song of the album, Aaj Dil has Sukhwinder Singh and Shreya Ghoshal and should be worth listening. Chiggy Wiggy by Kylie Minogue and Sonu Nigam is already out. The song has a 'masti' feeling to it and the video makes it all the more clear.

While with Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal, rehnuma can be a beautiful love song, Vijay Prakash and Shreya's Fiqrana must be a good song as Vijay Prakash has been getting good songs for quite some time and his last with Rahman in Yuvvraaj was especially good.

With Udit Narayan and Madhushree, the last song of the album, Yaar Mila Tha is going to be a typical romantic song. In fact nowadays Udit Narayan and Madhushree is becoming a new pair of singers as even Sohail Sen has used them both together in What's your raashee.

For now all we can do is guess. So let's wait and watch when the music of Blue comes.

Hope.