Salman strikes an indifferent note

Sukanya Verma

Yeh Hai Jalwa is David Dhawan’s latest offing in the genre of lighthearted films. The film has Salman Khan and Amisha Patel together for the first time.

Initially Dhawan had announced Yeh Hai Jalwa with Sanjay Dutt, Salman, Raveena Tandon and Kareena Kapoor. That project never took off, but the title was retained for this film.

Himmesh Reshammiya who was at helm of other Salam Khan starrers like Hello Brother, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye and Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya composes the music for this film, too.

The album kicks off with the instantly likeable Jalwa. Its mellifluous composition and melodious vocals by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik make it one a clear winner. The basic tune of Jalwa has been used as a characteristic theme in all other tracks too.

Udit Narayan and Alka’s Dhire dhire is suspiciously reminiscent of Yashodha ka nandlal from Sindoor. Aankhen pyari hain by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik is no great shakes and evokes a sense of indifference.

Shaan’s minty fresh vocal skills are on full display in the situational track Carbon copy. This oddly titled song features silly lyrics (by Dev Kohli) like Nahi fax, nahi Xerox, nahi telex, ya computer ki floppy, main hoon apni daddy ki carbon copy (Neither fax, Xerox, nor telex or computer floppy, I am my dad’s carbon copy).

Chudi khankhayi re may not catch your fancy immediately. But after listening to it a couple of times, the track tends to grow on you. Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik do a good job with Chudi khankhayi.

The album concludes on an upbeat bhangra-style London mein India. Peppy beats and energetic singing by Sukhwinder Singh and Pankaj Udhas make the song worth its while.

Bottomline: The music of Yeh Hai Jalwa’s is a mixed bag of good, average and indifferent music.

Soch marks the solo lead debut of model-turned-actress, Aditi Govitrikar in a whodunit mystery.

The film also stars Sanjay Kapoor and Raveena Tandon (in a special appearance).

After composing hit tunes for 2001’s musical bonanza Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, the talented duo Jatin-Lalit are average in Soch.

The album comprises five tracks with lyrics by Sameer.

Soch begins on an impressive note with Tohe leke. Written in a rural dialect (a mix of Brij and Avadhi), and crooned adequately by Sonu Nigam and Richa Sharma, Tohe leke offers an interesting fusion of east and west.

The second track, however, doesn't nearly offer the satisfaction of the above song. Instead, Hasata hai rulata hai is a mundane, off-tune ditty, sung in a jarringly by the husky duo of Shweta and Shradhha.

Just when the album seems to be getting monotonous, the trademark Jatin-Lalit touch saves the day with the soft and melodious Yaadein bani by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik. Alka Yagnik captures the mood of romance again in the breezy and lilting Aa mere sanam.

Asha Bhosle and Kay Kay are vivacious in Dil dhoondtha. Alas, their enthusiasm cannot salvage this insipid rehash of Pop star Shakira’s chart-buster Ojos asi.

In a nutshell, Soch offers nothing extraordinary.